Bird Board
TAS Cape Florida walk (10/16)
Twenty-three amiable and skilled birders joined me this morning in Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP to look migrants, residents and wintering birds. We started off with knock-out looks at a perched adult White-crowned Pigeon. Next, the Cape Florida Banding Station provided close-up looks at Gray Catbird, Black-throated Blue Warblers (including an adult male Appalachian race) and an Indigo Bunting. Seeing these birds in the hand always gives a fresh perspective.
We tallied 32 species, including 3 falcon species and 10 warbler species, including Yellow-throated and Cape May. Rain delayed us for a few minutes but as we finished the walk, a treat was an adult male Painted Bunting brought to us by bander Michelle Davis. CFBS banded this bird in fall 2014 as a "greenie."
The best non-bird sighting was a large 5-6' Tarpon that jumped up through a large mullet bait ball. The Hunter's Moon tide pushed water around the base of the lighthouse so further exploration of the compound was impractical.
Many thanks to the wonderful participants who shared the morning. I reacquainted with old birding colleagues and and met new friends.
Comments
I had my mom and dad stay over last night so that we could join you this morning. With all the rain last night, we took a look at the forecast on weather.com and read "thunderstorms" at 8 am. I still got up close to 7, but it was so overcast everywhere I went back to bed. Got up again close to 9 and the skies had cleared up... So, I'm really disappointed we didn't go. Will there be more walks at Bill Baggs?? Would love to visit the banding station. Do you have any pictures from today's walk?
Nai - We're very sorry that you missed the walk. Cape Florida is at the tip of a barrier island and the weather can be difficult to predict. TAS walks in this park are during spring and fall migration, with Sunday, April 16 scheduled as the next walk.
We don't visit the banding station but during the fall walk, if the banders have a bird in good condition as we pass by on the trail, they will bring it out to us and share information. Luckily, our timing was good yesterday. Unfortunately, I don't have photos from yesterday but perhaps others will share.
We hope to see you in April!
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