South Florida IV
Swallow-tailed kite Lucky Hammock, Homestead
We began our second day of birding South Florida with a stop at Lucky Hammock. The hammock is a small tropical “island” amid vast fields providing excellent habitat for migratory wintering songbirds. In the past, we have found such tropical species as White-tailed kite, Tropical kingbird, Scissor-tailed flycatchers, and even a Barn owl last year. Birding was slow this morning, however, and the highlights of this venue were the Swallow-tailed kite (above) and the Western kingbird seen below.
Across Ingraham Highway at Frog Pond Wildlife Management Area, we spent some time searching for White-tailed kites. Although recently reported and seen “almost every day” by a couple of local birders we ran into, we did not have any luck. It was not a total bust, however, as we did have a nice assemblage of Swallow-tailed kites joined by Northern harriers cruising over the fields in pursuit of their prey. While others spent their time watching these birds, I looked for an interesting lizard I had found here last year, the Peters’s Rock Agama. Also known as the “African redhead agama”, this invasive species is having a negative impact on Brown anoles (which BTW are also invasive and have had a negative impact on native Green anoles!) The first recorded sighting of the redhead was in the 1970s but that population was probably extirpated through a construction project which was ongoing at the site where they were introduced. The present population is believed to have been introduced into the Homestead area in the 90s. They are now the fastest growing reptile species in the Miami-Dade area.
We continued south into the Everglades National Park and visited the usual ponds and trails along the route. Our most unique find was the Shiny cowbird which was locate near the marina at the end of the Main Park Road. We were looking for a group of Brown-headed cowbirds and knew that the Shiny cowbird had been reported hanging out with this group. Sure enough, once we found the Brown-headed species, the Shiny was found in amongst the throng. By now we have logged over 75 species and will head back home tomorrow…..but not before a couple of stops on the way. Stay tuned…….
Shiny cowbird - Flamingo Marina end of Main Park Road…..
