Bird Walk Wrap-Up: Kendall Indian Hammocks Park
A splendid winter morning greeted the Phoebes Birding group for our first bird walk of 2019. In the company of our all-female assemblage, ranging from new to more experienced birders, we 12 women gathered at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park to bond over birds and all things nature.
Kendall Indian Hammocks Park
Full of enthusiasm, smiles, and with lots of energy, the walk started at 7:30 AM with an introduction to ebird.org and the benefits of using this remarkable resource for birding. We were rapidly alerted to the nosy and adorable Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, who quickly called in their warbler friends. Western Palm Warbler, Prairie Warbler, and Black-and-White Warbler came to say good morning to the female birders that admired each and every one of our feathered friends.
Not only did we explore and enjoy the birds, but we also learned about the tropical hardwood hammock habitat within this county park. From the native plants like Strangler Fig, Beauty Berry, and Wild Coffee, to the lonely Slash Pine, to the invasive Air Potato and Brazilian Pepper that are taking over some sections of the hardwood hammock, we delved into the area’s flora as well as its fauna.
We laughed, walked, shared information and before we knew it, 3 hours had passed in the blink of an eye. Time flies when you‘re having fun. The highlight species for everyone were the very cooperative Eastern Phoebes (our namesake bird) and 4 White-crowned Pigeons that gave us a grand show and allowed us to enjoy their beautiful scaly neck pattern and white crown.
White-crowned Pigeon
Our namesake: the Eastern Phoebe!
Bird images by Eliana Ardila. Behind-the-scenes images by Kirsten Vignes.
Birds We Saw
31 species of birds were seen in total:
1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
4 White-crowned Pigeon
3 Mourning Dove
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
4 Ring-billed Gull
1 Great Egret
1 Cattle Egret
6 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper's Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
8 Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
3 Eastern Phoebe
4 Blue-headed Vireo
5 Blue Jay
11 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Gray Catbird
2 Northern Mockingbird
6 European Starling
1 Red-winged Blackbird
3 Common Grackle
1 Boat-tailed Grackle
3 Black-and-white Warbler
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 American Redstart
7 Northern Parula
17 Palm Warbler (Western)
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Prairie Warbler
2 Black-throated Green Warbler
2 Northern Cardinal