Migrating Upland Sandpiper At EAA

A second late summer visit to the Everglades Agricultural Area was rewarding for a handful of species photographed this week.

The Lesser Yellowlegs above (image 1) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

An early departure from Fort Myers with Bird Patrol volunteer Tom Obrock allowed a near sunrise arrival at the sod fields on Hatton Road just south of FL SR 80 that had been noted to be hosting Upland Sandpipers in good numbers.

The Lesser Yellowlegs above (image 2) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

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

We were well rewarded for the drive to this location which had been noted by the McQuades days earlier. If I were traveling alone, I would have devoted hours to this venue. After the exhilarating score of the Upland Sandpiper I made the unfortunate decision to travel back to Belle Glade on the main highway.

The Killdeer above (image 4) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Killdeer above (image 5) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The smarter move would have been to head back to Six Mile Bend where a flooded field had hosted a Long-billed Curlew the day before. I regrettably did not know this at the time with the daily rare bird alert from eBird published while we were on the road.

The Pectoral Sandpiper above (image 6) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Upland Sandpiper above (image 7) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

As we had neglected to travel Miami Canal Road on our previous visit to the Everglades Agricultural Area, Tom and I hoped for a view of Barn Owl this week. Tom may have had a glimpse of it as I was more concerned with keeping the car out of the water.

The Barn Swallow above (image 8) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

The Barn Swallow above (image 9) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

While missing the owl at the hammock, there was a good sighting of Eastern Kingbird that I chose not to photograph because it was in shade. Ten seconds before the sun re-appeared from behind a cloud the kingbird chose to make its departure. Red-shouldered Hawk of a wide range of age, plumage and non-Florida type were observed after a quick unsuccessful stop at the NW entrance to Stormwater Treatment Area 5 looking for Snail Kite.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above (image 10) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.

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The Yellow Warbler above (image 11) was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2016.