On Saturday, November 25, twenty-five birders joined author, photographer and TAS Board of Directors member Kirsten Hines for Tropical Audubon’s second annual Accessible Inclusive birding trip at Crandon Gardens on Key Biscayne. We were greeted at the garden entrance by a Sandhill Crane, the last surviving descendent of a small flock of cranes that were introduced to the gardens over 20 years ago. During our visit, we saw or heard 28 different bird species, including Egyptian Goose, Indian Peafowl, Pied-billed Grebe, White-crowned Pigeon, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Anhinga, Tricolored and Green Herons, Black and Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, Fish Crow, Gray Catbird, Northern Parula and Black-and-white-Palm, Prairie and Yellow-throated Warblers. We also encountered two American Crocodiles as well as Green and Spiny-tailed Iguanas.
An eBird checklist for the trip can be viewed here.
Sandhill Crane: Photo courtesy of Brian Rapoza