Friday, May 28th
Earlier, this month was my trip to the Florida Keys which concluded with a stop at Mathesson Hammock Preserve in Coral Gables. I always like to stop here to see the variety of lizards and birds.
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Pot Bellied Air Plant is an uncommon species
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| Red-masked Parakeet |
I delayed my posting on this visit due to the birders ethos to not report on active nesting birds, for their well being. Came across nesting Orange-winged Amazon Parrots, Red-masked Parakeets and Common Hill Mynahs at that time.
Several parrot species and mynahs can be seen or heard in the area, which includes the neighboring Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. Two species of mynahs are seen in south Florida, from from their native homes in Asia. The smaller Common Mynah and the larger Common Hill Mynahs with their yellow facial waddles. The common mynahs seem to be stable and are often seen around shopping centers and gas station. But the Common Hill Mynah is reportable losing ground and close to extirpation locally for unknown reasons. Mathesson and Fairchild seem to be the home for the last remnants. So seeing a Common Hill Mynahs nesting is a positive for them. Don't know how or if they were successful.
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| Common Hill Mynah |
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| Common Hill Mynah |
The royal palm snags were also hosting
Starlings and
Red-bellied Woodpeckers, with a particular snag hosting both Orange-winged Parrots and the red-masked Parakeets.
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| Orange-winged Parrot |
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| Orange-winged Parrot |
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| Bark Anole |
Counted over 35
Green Iguanas sunning themselves on the mowed grass, plus spotting lots of
Brown Anoles, a Bark Anole and several colorful
Agama Lizards. All are invasive species.
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| Agama Lizard |
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| Agama Lizard |
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| Green Iguana |
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