Kendall Indian Hammocks Field Trip

Saturday, February 10, 2024 • Kendall Indian Hammocks Park • Report by Eliana Ardila, Images Courtesy of Ana Lima and Kathy Zirulnick

Forty-two women joined Phoebes field trip leader Eliana Ardila for a fantastic birding and nature walk at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park on February 10.

 It was a gorgeous day in South Florida with mild temperatures in the 70s and 36 bird species were observed by the group. In addition to getting some crowd-pleasing views of several species, we also had the opportunity to learn about the native habitat that covers much of this urban park. We also talked about eBird and iNaturalist, and we shared tips on how to use binoculars for the new birders in the group.

Eager to get birding, we began our outing at 7:30 a.m. We welcomed new faces and greeted old friends. Several new birders and new Phoebes joined this fun and educational walk. We all searched the high canopy of Live Oak forest for migrating birds. There was an abundant number of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers and Gray Catbirds — species that come to Miami to spend their winter in the Sunshine State. One of the highlights of the morning was a pair of White-Crowned Pigeons that gave us great looks as they enjoyed fruit from the Strangler Fig tree, another native plant that we learned about.  White-crowned Pigeons face threats to their food supply as tropical hammocks continue to be destroyed in the Keys and Miami, so it is important that we all contribute to habitat restoration of native tree species.

Three hours passed by so quickly and before we knew it, it was time to call it a day. Well — not so quick! We were having so much enjoying each other’s passion for nature that some Phoebes gathered for an impromptu brunch date at the local Vegan Cuban Cuisine restaurant. We laughed, shared stories of birding and kept talking about the birds that we observed at the park. It feels good to get out in nature especially when you do it with others that share the same passion for our feathered friends.


BIRDS WE SAW

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

White-crowned Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Mourning Dove

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Western Cattle Egret

White Ibis

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Cooper's Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

White-eyed Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo

Blue Jay

Fish Crow

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

European Starling

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

Common Grackle

Boat-tailed Grackle

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Northern Parula

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Palm Warbler (Western)

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)

Yellow-throated Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Northern Cardinal