Everglades Camping Field Trip 2025
January 31-February 2, 2025 • Everglades National Park • Report by Miriam Avello
In the heart of Everglades National Park on the balmy weekend of January 31-February 2, 2025, an assembly of female adventurers embarked upon an expedition of discovery and delight for our annual Phoebes camping field trip. Our chosen base, Long Pine Key Campground, served as a gateway to the park's myriad habitats, while our ventures extended to the famed Flamingo area, renowned for its rich avian diversity.
The weather, a critical factor in the success of our endeavor, was nothing short of idyllic. Daytime temperatures hovered around a pleasant 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with the sun casting a golden glow upon the landscape. The skies, clear and blue, along with a gentle breeze and the familiar scent of the pines made for an enjoyable camping experience. Nightfall brought a serene coolness, allowing rest under a canopy of stars, serenaded by the nocturnal symphony of the Everglades with the occasional Great Horned Owl calling.
We arose early, greeted by Northern Cardinals, Eastern towhees, Gray Catbirds and an errant American Robin. Armed with our morning coffee, binoculars and a boundless curiosity, we set forth to explore Long Pine Key. Our journey began amidst the pine rocklands, where the air was filled with the calls of the Pine Warbler, Downy Woodpecker and the Brown-headed Nuthatch. A walk around the lake treated the group to the richness of the flora of the pine rocklands and a wintering Belted Kingfisher.
We then ventured towards Flamingo, transitioning from pine forests to mangrove-lined waterways. The vast expanse of Florida Bay, with its labyrinthine channels and lush islands, is home to an astonishing array of birdlife. We were lucky to have arrived at low tide and spent a good deal of our time scoping the many birds on the flats — terns, egrets, and pelicans. Our next stop was the amphitheater and searching for sparrows among the low-lying vegetation.
The Phoebes were treated to the spectacle of an Osprey pair in their nest. Their keen eyes and formidable talons make it a master of the hunt. Flamingo is a favorite nesting area for these fish- eating raptors whose numbers have made a comeback after years of decline due to DDT.
Back at the campground, we readied for dinner while enjoying the evening chorus. The melodious songs of the Northern Cardinal, the whistle of the Eastern Towhee and the Meow-like call of the Gray Catbird filled the air. The rhythmic drumming of the Red-bellied Woodpecker and the cawing of the American Crow reminds us of the diverse avian community that thrives in these habitats.
As our adventure drew to a close, we gathered around the campfire, reflecting on the day's travels and the variety of birds that make their home in one of the country’s most unique ecosystems. Our yearly camping adventure serves as a reminder of the natural splendor we can enjoy right in our backyard and renews our commitment to the conservation of these precious landscapes.
We had a total of 84 species seen for this trip.
Here's the trip report
https://ebird.org/tripreport/339670
To see a list of all the species observed, view the eBird list here.