On Saturday, January 6, forty-one birders joined TAS field trip leader Luis Gonzalez for a half-day of birding in the “Lucky Hammock” area on Aerojet Road in Homestead. As participants assembled in the parking area, they were treated to great views of a Vermilion Flycatcher that has been present in the area for several weeks. The weather forecast called for rain from an approaching cold front to not begin until the afternoon, so the group was a bit unprepared when, about a half-mile from the parking area, big, cold raindrops suddenly began to fall on us. Fortunately, the rain only lasted a minute or too, allowing us to continue birding.
Among the many notable birds seen during our walk were Lesser Scaup, Sandhill Crane, Glossy Ibis, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk (exhibiting breeding behavior), Short-tailed Hawk (both light and dark morphs), American Kestrel, Tropical and Western Kingbirds, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler and Indigo Bunting. A few birds were heard-only, including Sora, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, House Wren and Ovenbird. An eBird checkist for the outing, shared with all participants, can be viewed here.
Vermilion Flycatcher: Photo by Brian Rapoza