In Search Of South Florida Vagrants

There have been some extraordinary sightings of unexpected bird species these past few months with one in particular that was being reported at the end of February resulting in this report.

The Northern Parula above (image 1) was photographed at Long Key State Park in March 2016.

Tom Obrock and I made a trip to Long Key State Park on 1 March to chase the Zenaida Dove, a Caribbean vagrant, with the bird possibly only the fourth known record of this species in Florida. The Zenaida Dove remained elusive along the Golden Orb Trail where it had been reported numerous times. Tom and I gave up after nearly four hours of watching the trail. Mark McShane, visiting from Atlanta, was met this day. He told me that this was his second trip to observe the bird.

The Northern Parula above (image 2) was photographed at Long Key State Park in March 2016.

The Northern Parula above (image 3) was photographed at Long Key State Park in March 2016.

The Gray Catbird above (image 4) was photographed at Long Key State Park in March 2016.

Mark would finally make the score with his third trip from Atlanta to see the mega rarity on 5 March as he reported to eBird. I'm glad his friend was able to convince him to make the ridiculously long drive again. I thought that it would seem unlikely the dove would make an appearance with all of the foot traffic on the trail. Seabird McKeon noted that he had great views of the Zenaida Dove on 10 March with no pressure from photographers. Since Tom had already unsuccessfully searched for the Black-faced Grassquit while I was watching for the dove, we moved on to our next destination.

The Osprey above (image 5) was photographed at Long Key State Park in March 2016.

The Gray Catbird above (image 6) was photographed at Long Key State Park in March 2016.

The Julia Butterfly above (image 7) was photographed at Lucky Hammock in March 2016.

Tom and I arrived at Lucky Hammock outside of Homestead with hopes of finding a previously reported Brown-crested Flycatcher. An audible of that highly desirable species was the best that could be had. I caught sight of what I believe was a Baltimore Oriole in flight across the road, but was not able to relocate it bird for a photo. Our last stop of the day was my first visit to Castellow Hammock Park located west of Cutler Bay. With hope of finding the Buff-bellied Hummingbird, it was present as indicated by its call, but remained elusive for a photo-op. I did pick up one life bird on the trip with the the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet. This was a near sixteen hour day of birding and driving which will not be replicated by me.

The Viceroy Butterfly above (image 8) was photographed at Lucky Hammock in March 2016.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler above (image 9) was photographed at Lucky Hammock in March 2016.

The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet above (image 10) was photographed at Castellow Hammock Preserve in March 2016.

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The Ruby-throated Hummingbird above (image 11) was photographed at Castellow Hammock Preserve in March 2016.