Wildlife At Miami's Matheson Hammock Park

At the suggestion of Tom Obrock we made a late May trip to Florida's east coast with the possibility of observing Bahama Mockingbird, a rare bird species in Florida, that had been reported in Fort Lauderdale at eBird.

The immature Red-tailed Hawk above (image 1) was photographed near Homestead in May 2016.

Before leaving the limits of Fort Myers we decided instead to head toward Miami as the mockingbird had not been reported in a couple of days. The Baptist Hospital of Miami was our first stop after observing a Red-tailed Hawk being harassed by a Red-winged Blackbird north of Homestead. There was no luck in finding Egyptian Geese that should be expected. Tom and I then devoted much time in a search of Red-whiskered Bulbul in the area of the hospital which was elusive as well.

The immature Red-tailed Hawk above (image 2) was photographed near Homestead in May 2016.

The Red-headed Rock Agama above (image 3) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

The Eastern Puerto Rican Crested Anole above (image 4) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

Matheson Hammock, our next stop, offered a lifebird for both Tom and I as a handful of Orange-winged Parrot made a direct flyover from the north in the area north of Camp Mahachee at the far west fringe of the park. I regrettably had to forfeit the photography of the birds to put Tom on them. Many invasive lizards were seen at this park as well which turned out to be a highlight of the trip.

The Red-headed Rock Agama above (image 5) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

The Zebra Longwing Butterfly above (image 6) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

The Red-headed Rock Agama above (image 7) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

After leaving Matheson Hammock Park we devoted much time in search of parakeets in the neighborhoods north and northeast of Miami International Airport. We remained unsuccessful in our search with David A. Sibley noting that no native parrot species remain in North America though 65 imported species have been recorded in Florida at the October 2000 publication of his Guide to Birds. He noted that many feral populations may exist. Sibley's 2nd Edition would certainly be the preferred version to consider at the time of this writing.

The Red-headed Rock Agama above (image 8) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above (image 9) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

The Green Iquana above (image 10) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

Without the help of the Tropical Audubon Society it is hoped that at least one more journey to the Miami area can be made in search of exotics to add a few more unseen species of parakeet to the list.

The Red-headed Rock Agama above (image 11) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

The Red-headed Rock Agama above (image 12) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

Please be sure to be reminded about this weekly Southwest Florida Wildlife Blog with the email gadget located at the top of the page.

The Red-headed Rock Agama above (image 13) was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park in May 2016.

Lucky Hammock, A.D. Barnes Park, And More

The Southeastern portion of the Great Florida Birding Trail "South Florida Section" is not visited as often as I would like, but had the good fortune to travel with Tom Obrock on a day trip on 19 September 2013 to several wildlife venues in the Miami area.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

A near sunrise arrival at Luck Hammock close to the entrance to Everglades National Park was our first stop. The observation of Alder Flycatcher and Willow Flycatcher were hoped for, but missed. Both of these species would have been initial observations for me.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

While Tom worked the area that the flycatchers were expected to be seen, after walking that area myself, I devoted the time at the venue observing the 15 or so Eastern Kingbirds that were very active close to where our access to the Annex was prohibited except by walking.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

I suspect the Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a tree above where the flycatchers had been observed earlier may have caused the flycatchers to move on. It was interesting to read in Dick Brewer's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary blog that a Red-shouldered Hawk was observed to attempt to catch a Green Heron on 27 September at the Swamp.

The Blue Jay above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The dragonfly above was photographed at Lucky Hammock in September 2013.

The scene above was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park and Marina in September 2013.

After the visit to Lucky Hammock we traveled for a quick stop at the visitor's center at Everglades National Park. I have read that hummingbirds have seen here, but failed to see them as on all stops made thus far. There was a large flock of European Starling among grackles that dropped in briefly with possible Palm Warblers, and did not take any pics here worth including in this article.

The scene above was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park and Marina in September 2013.

The Black-throated Blue Warbler above was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park and Marina in September 2013.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park and Marina in September 2013.

The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park and Marina in September 2013.

Tom and I next traveled to Matheson Hammock Park and Beach. This was my first visit to this venue. It appeared quiet to me though Tom found some good activity. I was pleased to find a lone Black-throated Blue Warbler, only the second time observing this species as I recall. Before leaving the park, we had considered walking the heavily wooded trail to the west of the open area.

The Miami skyline above was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park and Marina in September 2013.

The Miami skyline above was photographed at Matheson Hammock Park and Marina in September 2013.

The Golden silk orb-weaver above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Eastern-wood Pewee above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

At the trail's entrance it was apparent that it had yet to be traveled that morning, and would be difficult for me to walk through it with the camera gear without encountering spider webs and their spiders which I get my fill of at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

The American Redstart above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Blue Jay above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Hill Myna above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Hill Myna above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

Tom agreed to pass on that. We attempted to visit the far side of the trail by driving to it, though found it unrewarding as Tom walked in at a point where there was no parking available and discovering no bird activity.

The Hill Myna above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The immature Great Crested Flycatcher above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The immature Great Crested Flycatcher above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The immature Great Crested Flycatcher above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

While it wasn't until after noon before we reached A. D. Barnes Park, personally visited for the first time, I found it the most enjoyable. A Red Fox was observed here although I was too stunned by its appearance to take a photograph. Fortunately Tom observed the fox a short while later to corroborate its presence.

The Ovenbird above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Ovenbird above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Ovenbird above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

One of 285 species of squirrel above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

There was comparatively a lot of warbler activity at A. D. Barnes which allowed for good observations before we took a brief break for lunch. During our visit, Tom discovered that a Lavender Waxbill had been observed at Barnes earlier in the morning after checking Florida rare bird alerts. That specialty was missed by less than five hours. After a quick bite we returned to Barnes before heading to Kendall Baptist Hospital for a brief visit with observation of a huge flock of Mitred Parakeets.

The Northern Parula above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Northern Parula above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The 1st year Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.

The Muscovy Duck (Florida feral type) above was photographed at West Kendall Baptist Hospital in September 2013.

We then returned to Barnes for more observations though the venue proved continuously less productive although a few overflights offered great interest. Late in the afternoon on the long ride back to the Fort Myers area, I thought it fortunate that we dodged rain the entire day, while treated to a large number of Red-shouldered Hawks on the last leg of the trip.

The Egyptian Goose above was photographed at West Kendall Baptist Hospital in September 2013.

The Florida softshell turtle above was photographed at West Kendall Baptist Hospital in September 2013.

On future trips to the Miami area, I will consider A.D. Barnes Park the prized first stop.

The stray cat above was photographed at A. D. Barnes Park in September 2013.