Compiled by Brian Rapoza
Last updated March 19, 2024
Please post updates for the following on eBird (providing the specific location where the bird was seen is always appreciated) or on either of our Bird Boards (website and Facebook):
Recent Reports
Yellow-headed Caracara
Haulover Park, Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County: Last reported March 19 (eBird) Photo Directions: From I-95, exit at FL 826 E (NW 163 Street, Exit 12). Drive east 5.8 miles to Collins Avenue (A1A). Turn right and drive south 1.3 miles to the park entrance (fee, open sunrise to sunset). The bird has most often been seen around the bait shop in the park’s marina area, usually around sunrise, and in the picnic area near the Haulover Inlet bridge. This bird has also been seen at Oleta River State Park and the adjacent Biscayne Bay campus of Florida International University. Map
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Aerojet Road, Homestead, Miami-Dade County: Last reported March 19 (eBird) Photo Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street). Drive west 1.6 miles to SW 192 Avenue. Turn left and drive south 2 miles to SW 376 Street (FL 9336). Turn right and drive west 4.5 miles to Aerojet Road (SW 232 Avenue, gated). The bird has been seen at Lucky Hammock, located 0.3 miles south of the gate. This area is only accessible on foot or bicycle. Map
Tropical Kingbird
Belle Glade Marina and Torry Island, Palm Beach County: Last reported March 19 (eBird) Photo Directions: From SR 80 in Belle Glade, drive west 3.6 miles on CR 717 to the marina and campground. Up to three birds have been seen near the observation tower. Map
Sem-Chi Rice Mill, Palm Beach County: Last reported March 15 (eBird) Photo
Directions: From Florida’s Turnpike in West Palm Beach, exit at Southern Boulevard/SR 80. Drive west 13.5 miles to CR 880. Turn left and drive west 4 miles to Atlantic Mill Road. Turn left and drive 0.7 miles to the rice mill. The bird has been seen on power lines about 0.5 miles south of the rice mill. Map
Western Tanager
Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve, Wilton Manors, Broward County: Reported March 19 (eBird) Photo Directions: From I-95, exit at Oakland Park Boulevard (Exit 31). Drive east 0.9 miles to North Andrews Avenue. Turn right and drive south 0.8 miles to NE 21 Court. Turn left and drive east 0.3 miles to Wilton Drive. Turn right and drive south 1 block to NE 20 Street. Turn right to the park entrance (no fee, open 8:00AM to 6:00PM). Two birds were seen around the parking area. Map
Bell’s Vireo
Peaceful Waters Sanctuary at Village Park, Wellington, Palm Beach County: Last reported March 18 (eBird) Photo Directions: From Florida’s Turnpike, exit at Lake Worth Boulevard (Exit 93). Drive west 4 miles to 120 Avenue South. Turn right and drive north 0.6 miles to the park entrance (no fee, open sunrise to sunset). The bird has been seen in the northeast corner of the sanctuary. Map
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Sem-Chi Rice Mill, Palm Beach County: Last reported March 18 (eBird) Photo
Directions: From Florida’s Turnpike in West Palm Beach, exit at Southern Boulevard/SR 80. Drive west 13.5 miles to CR 880. Turn left and drive west 4 miles to Atlantic Mill Road. Turn left and drive 0.7 miles to the rice mill. Several birds have been seen around the mill. Please bird from the road and don't trespass onto the mill property. Map
Vaux’s Swift
Harnes Marsh, Lee County: Last reported March 16 (eBird) Photo Directions: From I-75, exit at Daniels Parkway (Exit 131). Drive east 5.7 miles to Gunnery Road. Continue north 2.5 miles to Lee Blvd. Turn right and drive east 1.6 miles to Sara Ave. Turn left and drive north 0.5 miles to 12 Street. Turn right and drive east 0.1 mile to Sunshine Blvd. Turn left and drive north 1.4 miles to 31 Street. Turn left and drive west 0.1 mile to Ruth St. Turn right and drive north 0.4 miles to 38 St. Turn left and drive west 0.2 miles to the parking area (no fee, open 7am to 6pm). Up to five birds have been seen over the marsh north of the parking area. Map
American Flamingo
Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, Monroe County: Last reported March 14 (eBird) Photo Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street) and drive west 1.6 miles. Turn left on SW 192 Avenue and drive south 2 miles. Turn right on SW 376 Street (SR 9336) and drive west 5 miles to the park entrance (fee, open 24 hours). From the fee station, continue west 38 miles to Flamingo. Birds have been seen in various locations in Florida Bay, including around Clive Key and in Snake Bight and Garfield Bight. Visits to Clive Key are included on the Florida Bay boat tour, which departs from the Flamingo marina. Snake Bight and Garfield Bight are accessible by canoe/kayak; launch from the Flamingo marina (canoe/kayak rentals available). Map
Older Reports
Tropical Kingbird
L-31W Canal, Homestead, Miami-Dade County: Last reported March 12 (eBird) Photo Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street). Drive west 1.6 miles to SW 192 Avenue. Turn left and drive south 2 miles to SW 376 Street (FL 9336). Turn right and drive west 5 miles to the L-31W Canal. The bird has been seen about 1.5 miles north, where the canal bends west. This area area is only accessible on foot or bicycle. Map
Cassin’s Kingbird
L-31W Canal, Homestead, Miami-Dade County: Last reported March 11 (eBird) Photo Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street). Drive west 1.6 miles to SW 192 Avenue. Turn left and drive south 2 miles to SW 376 Street (FL 9336). Turn right and drive west 5 miles to the L-31W Canal. The bird has been seen about 1.5 miles north of FL 9336. This area is only accessible on foot or bicycle. Map
Smooth-billed Ani
Sem-Chi Rice Mill, Palm Beach County: Last reported March 9 (eBird) Photo
Directions: From Florida’s Turnpike in West Palm Beach, exit at Southern Boulevard/SR 80. Drive west 13.5 miles to CR 880. Turn left and drive west 4 miles to Atlantic Mill Road. The bird was last reported near this intersection. Map
Franklin’s Gull
Sugden Regional Park, Naples, Collier County: Last reported March 9 (eBird) Photo Directions: From I-75, exit at Collier Blvd. (CR 851, Exit 101). Drive south 7 miles to Tamiami Trail (US 41). Turn right and drive north 5.2 miles to Avalon Drive. Turn left and drive west 0.1 mile to the park entrance (no fee, open 8 AM to sunset). The bird has been seen at the park’s lake. Map
Black Noddy
Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National Park, Monroe County: Last reported March 7 (eBird) Photo Directions: Click here for Dry Tortugas ferry information. The bird has been seen with Brown Noddies on pilings at the north coaling dock. Map
Vermilion Flycatcher
C-111 Canal, Homestead, Miami-Dade County: Last reported March 7 (eBird) Photo Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street). Drive west 1.6 miles to SW 192 Avenue. Turn left and drive south 2 miles to SW 376 Street (FL 9336). Turn right and drive west 4 miles to the C-111 Canal. The bird has been seen on the fence surrounding the water control structure on the west side of the canal. Map
L-31W Canal, Homestead, Miami-Dade County: Last reported March 7 (eBird) Photo Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street). Drive west 1.6 miles to SW 192 Avenue. Turn left and drive south 2 miles to SW 376 Street (FL 9336). Turn right and drive west 5 miles to the L-31W Canal. The bird has been seen on both sides of the bridge over the canal. Map
South Florida as defined here includes the following counties: Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach. Only sightings at publicly accessible locations are listed here. Click on each county to view that county’s eBird Rare Bird Alert.
Click here for locations to see regularly occurring south Florida specialties. Click here for directions to those locations.
Banner photo: White-tailed Tropicbird by Daniel Gribbin