Stops in Florida on the way to and the way back from a cruise to the tropics

Anhinga's at nest, Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, FL, Mar 18, 2023

Sora, Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, FL, Mar 18, 2023

Tricolored Heron, Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, FL, Mar 18, 2023

We flew down to Florida on Saturday the 18th so we could take an early flight over to Barbados to start our cruise (much more on that coming soon). Most of our time on Saturday afternoon was spent driving or visiting family but managed a little birding with a late afternoon stop at Green Cay. Not surprisingly it was fairly quiet given the time but it was nice to be outside in the warmth.  Warblers seen during the stops in Florida can be found at the following link.

Swallow tailed Kite, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023

Great crested Flycatcher, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023

Black and White Warbler, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023

Laughing Gull, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023

Shiny Cowbird, Everglades NP, Flamingo, FL, Mar 27, 2023

Osprey, Everglades NP, Flamingo, FL, Mar 27, 2023

Northern Parula, Everglades NP, Flamingo, FL, Mar 27, 2023

White eyed Vireo, Mahogany Hammock, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023

Florida Bay, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023

After the cruise we flew back to Miami on Sunday the 26th and then spent a couple days in south Florida before returning home late on Tuesday the 28th. Our flight out of Barbados got delayed so we never made it to our lodging in Homestead until well after dark. Monday we spent most of a very hot day exploring Everglades National Park from the entrance all the way down to Flamingo. I had made multiple trips down to this area of the Everglades in the late 90’s and early 2000’s and loved the place. Unfortunately in 2005 two hurricanes (Katrina and Wilma) struck the area and did significant damage including destroying the hotel on site. The rebuilding process has been incredibly slow. You could still see damage left from the hurricanes in many places with the most obvious being the destruction at Eco Pond. Nonetheless it was great to make it back down there. Even before we arrived within the park I added a new Florida species with a Common Myna (an established exotic) at a convenience store. We arrived in the park around 8:30 and spent the next six plus hours stopping along the way for short hikes before arriving in Flamingo. A lot of waders appeared to have vacated the area for parts north to breed. Although many spots were quiet it was nice to hear lots of White eyed Vireos and Great crested Flycatchers singing. The most productive spots turned out to be in Flamingo itself with another new Florida species (#237) for me with a male Shiny Cowbird in among a flock of Brown headed Cowbirds. Certainly some migrants around but no big numbers.

Brown Pelicans, Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, FL, Mar 28, 2023

Ovenbird, Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, FL, Mar 28, 2023

Before making the flight back home in the evening we made the drive through the horrendous Miami traffic to spend a few hours at the south end of Key Biscayne at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP.  I spent a few hours covering multiple trails in the morning and then took a break for lunch and then continued walking the trails during the early afternoon despite the sunny and hot conditions.  Nothing too unusual but fun to soak up the last of the tropical heat before a return to reality.