Early Migration At The Everglades Ag Area

A spectacular destination for the observation of migrating shorebirds is within the Everglades Agricultural Area adjacent to Belle Glade, Florida.

The Black-crowned Night-Heron above (image 1) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Everglades agricultural fields encompass about 700,000 acres which are predominately planted with sugarcane. Preceding crop rotation the fields are flooded to control pests, with rice typically grown offering a conditioning of the soil as a side benefit. Sod fields are also prevalent with vegetables grown in winter months.

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above (image 2) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Cattle Egret above (image 3) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Glossy Ibis with juvenile above (image 4) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above (image 5) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Black-necked Stilt above (image 6) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Black-necked Stilt above (image 7) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Black-necked Stilt above (image 8) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

A mid-summer visit to the EAA offered very distant views of a very large inaccessible flooded field at the intersection of Browns Farm Road and County Road 880 known as Six Mile Bend. Navigator Tom Obrock and I arrived here shortly after sunrise. A Red-shouldered Hawk was seen with what appeared a blackbird in its talons.

The juvenile Glossy Ibis above (image 9) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Solitary Sandpiper above (image 10) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Black-necked Stilt above (image 11) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The juvenile White Ibis above (image 12) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Killdeer above (image 13) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck above (image 14) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck above (image 15) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

We next traveled south on Browns Farm Road for about ten miles to a side road we had explored last year. Images #1 through #20 were captured in this area. There was a very good variety and number of birds seen here. However, there were were unfortunately no flooded fields.

The Gull-billed Tern above (image 16) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Gull-billed Tern above (image 17) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above (image 18) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The juvenile Glossy Ibis above (image 19) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Barn Swallow above (image 20) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Red-winged Blackbird above (image 21) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Red-winged Blackbird above (image 22) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

Tom and I continued back to Six Mile Bend where the flooded field observed earlier had become accessible. Images #21 through #38 represent what was seen in very small part with nearly 30 bird species tallied. Most were still too far to be photographed even marginally.

The Wood Stork above (image 23) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Wilson's Phalarope above (image 24) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Wilson's Phalarope above (image 25) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Wilson's Phalarope above (image 26) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Stilt Sandpiper above (image 27) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Black-necked Stilt above (image 28) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Mourning Dove above (image 29) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

While the Stilt Sandpiper was the best species seen at the flooded field, we also had an impressive number of Wilson's Phalarope with five at relatively close range and two remaining at a great distance. With very good fortune, an Upland Sandpiper may show up in the sod fields in early autumn.

The Semipalmated Sandpiper above (image 30) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Black Tern above (image 31) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 32) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Wilson's Phalarope above (image 33) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Stilt Sandpiper with Wilson's Phalarope above (image 34) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Stilt Sandpiper with Semipalmated Sandpiper above (image 35) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Stilt Sandpiper above (image 36) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

Our next stop was Belle Glade Marina with hopes of observing a Shiny Cowbird and Orchard Oriole reported earlier. The oriole was missed while Tom got a photo of an unexpected Great White Heron. With it well after noon we opted to postpone a trip along Miami Canal Road.

The Black Tern above (image 37) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Wilson's Phalarope above (image 38) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 39) was photographed at Belle Glade Marina in August 2016.

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The Shiny Cowbird above (image 40) was photographed at Belle Glade Marina in August 2016.

The Common Nighthawk above (image 41) was photographed at Belle Glade Marina in August 2016.

Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour: Part V

The trek home to conclude an annual wildlife tour including the Florida Keys with Tom Obrock was leisurely through Miami-Dade County on 11 June 2014.

The Barn Owl above was photographed near Lucky Hammock in June 2014.

My first sighting of Shiny Cowbird was made at Key West Country Club to end the day the night before while I almost neglected to include its image in the blog.

The Shiny Cowbird above was photographed at Vaca Key in June 2014.

The Swan Goose above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

My first sighting of a Barn Owl which was roadkill (ironically for the bird near Lucky Hammock) will unfortunately be thought of on every future trip to this beautiful place. With good fortune I'll have another Barn Owl observation.

The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The European Starling above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The Chimney Swift above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

In my haste to get a gander of White-tailed Kite near the entrance to Everglades National Park we drove to this area first on the final day of the trip. Tom advised visiting here later in the morning when the thermals would offer a possibility of seeing the species in flight.

The Fish Crow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The House Sparrow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The House Sparrow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

Since I had only observed White-tailed Kite once before, it would not have been a problem for me to wait as long as necessary, within reason, for another view of them. As the rainy season has become just that, we continued to Baptist Hospital of Miami with the clock ticking.

The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The Fish Crow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

Upon arrival to the hospital where wildlife is abundant, a large flock of Mitred Parakeet worked the grounds. It was a treat for me to see Chimney Swift which I have not had enough chances to document. I spent the greatest time here watching them.

The House Sparrow above was photographed at Baptist Hospital of Miami in June 2014.

The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

Tom and I then chose to look for the Red-whiskered Bulbul which remains a nemesis bird for me even after this trip. Though I prefer to photograph birds in flight or at rest in a natural setting, I would have been excited to see the species on a wire.

The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

We continued on to the University of Miami for other exotics. It was a treat to have my first sighting of Red-masked Parakeet. It was interesting to see how they were so camouflaged in the trees. If the birds did not take flight, I would have never noticed them.

The Red-masked Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami in June 2014.

The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

Our last stop before the deluge was at the Snapper Canal where Cave Swallows have been reported. One in a hurry would have missed the species as they were not immediately present.

The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

You may see Tom's account of this trip here.

The Cave Swallow above was photographed at the Snapper Canal in June 2014.

Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part I
Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part II
Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part III
Please also see: Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part IV