Florida Suncoast Birding: The Keys

Saturday, January 9, 2021

The Keys

Friday January 8th

Last weekend I drove back down to the Florida Keys for some first of the year birding, plus some birding at Lucky Hammock at Frog Pond WMA.

Purple Sandpiper

First birds of the day were Common Mynas in Florida City, then it was onto Key Largo. White-crowned Pigeons frequently seen in flight along with Eurasian Collared Doves and Magnificent Frigatebirds. At Tavernier, made a stop at Harry Harris Beach Park for the Purple Sandpiper. His shorebird is wintering far south of its traditionally range.

A distant look at the Cuban Pewee

Got to Big Pine Key about 11am and had to do a bit of search for the Cuban Pewee at Blue Hole, in the National Key Deer Preserve. But I did get a distance look. The alligators at Blue Hole are a bit more uncommon here in then in most of Florida because there is little fresh water habitat available in the Keys.

Then went onto Key West for the the Red-legged Thrush at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Gardens. Dipped on this bird, but had met some birders who had just seen the American Flamingo at Sammy's Creek Landing WEA on Sugarloaf Key. Hadn't heard about this flamingo sighting till now and quickly ran down the details and was looking at this bird about forty-five minutes later. Finding the flamingo was a surprise.

American Flamingo at Sugarloaf Key

Tried to get back up to Florida City before dark, but traffic can be so bad here and it was.

Gray Catbirds were very numerous at Lucky Hammock

On Day 2 headed over to Lucky Hammock. Lots of potential special birds to see. I actually had a lifer with spotting a Scaly-breasted Munia in the tall elephant grass. Could hear the 'Whit' calls of the Brown-crested Flycatcher. A pair of Painted Buntings, Limpkins, Brown Thrasher, Gray catbirds, Cowbirds and a Northern Harrier were also present. But had to leave before some of the more interesting birds popped up. Still was a fun weekend. Will need to return soon.