Bird Walk Wrap-Up: Long Key Natural Area
Sunday, March 27, 2022 • Long Key Natural Area
On a cool Sunday morning in March, 20 ladies met in the parking lot of the Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center for the Phoebes monthly bird walk. This historical site which boasts over 150 acres of varied natural habitats, was once home to the Tequesta and Seminole Indians. With introductions, briefing of the site and other pleasantries complete, we set out in search of avian and other wildlife.
No sooner had we got to our first stop at the Nature Center’s north pond, than we came upon our first bird, a Green Heron anticipating his next unwilling victim. We observed him for a bit and then moved on to look for other water birds. Here we saw Common Gallinules and a few turtles catching some rays on a log.
As we circled the oaks around the pond, we were delighted by the distraction of a singing Northern Parula, which had us all running around, as it taunted us, flitting from tree to tree with its song. That chase led us to a Blue-headed Vireo, a few Palm Warblers, and a Northern Cardinal, which refused to be out-sung. When we finally caught up to our singing Parula, we were also treated to a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, giving us quick looks for a few seconds before zinging away from the area.
Searching for the Northern Parula. Photo by Ana Lima.
Next stop, the south pond which brought us a Tricolored Heron, and a cute Common Yellowthroat which brought us to our knees, literally and figuratively. A few creaking bones later, we continued south through the centuries-old canopy, seeing vultures circling high above the trees and hearing the unmistakable calls of Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Gray Catbirds. Further along the path, we heard the rattle of a House Wren and caught a brief glimpse as it moved quickly away from us in the understory.
Upon entering the path at the Southernmost end of the park, we were welcomed by the high-pitched piping call of a Pileated Woodpecker, one of our target birds followed by a flyover of Cedar Waxwings. We continued on through the recent restored area filled with native plantings. Then we turned Northbound towards the park’s monument to the victims and survivors of violent crimes. We rested our legs here as we paused to pay homage to these lost and injured souls.
Then off to our final stop in search of our other main target, the Wood Duck. We spotted a couple in the far distance in the Northwest Pond, which put the final exclamation point on our birding experience for the day. After regrouping for a photo, we bid adieu to some of our friends while the rest of us gathered at the picnic area to share some yummy treats. After much eating, chatter and laughter and the serenade of a wailing Limpkin, we wrapped another amazing Phoebe’s event.
Birds We Saw
Wood Duck
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Common Gallinule
Limpkin
Anhinga
Tricolored Heron
Green Heron
White Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Purple Martin
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Palm Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal