Bird Walk Wrap-Up: Matheson Hammock Park
"Bird-a-Palooza”. The phrase to describe the Phoebes’ October bird walk according to one of our attendees. So. Many. Birds! Twenty-nine pairs of eyes peering through binoculars and heads rapidly bouncing from tree to tree could not keep track of the sheer numbers of individual birds we were seeing. In the first hour we had covered such a short distance, a reflection of an active fall migration — southbound birds in full force. An extremely enthusiastic group from all levels of birding savored each of the 18 species of warblers we witnessed that were having a buffet on the native fruiting fig trees.
Images courtesy of Ana Lima
We shared information on natural history, reviewed our field guides together, and swapped stories on how birds had brought us from all corners of South Florida to today's walk. Before we knew it, three hours had passed. What a way to celebrate and be a part of Global Big Day. If you have not heard of this event before, it is a worldwide citizen science day where birders and nature enthusiasts come together to submit their bird sightings online. Every bird species, no matter how common, is included and entered into a free database called eBird which compiles everyone’s sightings from around the world. Anyone, no matter where they are or how little time they have, can become part of this incredible global event.
Yellow-throated Warbler by Eliana Ardila Ardila
Prairie Warbler by Eliana Ardila Ardila
Out of the bouquet of colorful warblers that decorated the canopy, a very special individual with its golden yellow and gray body gave us amazing looks and the opportunity to study its field marks. The brilliant and uncommon Prothonotary Warbler was an incredible addition to our bird list for the day and one that everyone loved seeing.
And how can the day be over without a special appearance by an Eastern Phoebe? Our namesake bird that gave our group its name. Did you know that the Eastern Phoebe was the first bird ever banded? It was banded in 1804 by the famous John James Audubon to track its return in the coming years.
Brown Thrasher by Eliana Ardila Ardila
Palm Warbler by Eliana Ardila Ardila
Wrapping up our wonderful experience birding together with a potluck picnic in the park, we all agreed it was an unforgettable day out there. And to all the migrating birds — our group wishes our feathered friends a safe journey south.
Photo Courtesy of Eliana Ardila Ardila
Birds We Saw
Bird(s) of the Day: Protonotary Warbler and Brown Thrasher
Plant of the Day: Strangler Fig
55 species of birds were seen in total:
Muscovy Duck (Established Feral)
Pied-billed Grebe
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
White-crowned Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Laughing Gull
Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Little Blue Heron
White Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Short-tailed Hawk
Eastern Screech-Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Merlin
Orange-winged Parrot
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
European Starling
Common Myna
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Common Grackle
grackle sp.
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler (Western)
Pine Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak