Forty-nine birders joined TAS Field Trip Coordinator Brian Rapoza on Saturday, September 9th for a half-day of birding in the Lucky Hammock area, located on Aerojet Road near the main entrance to Everglades National Park. Over the course of the morning, the group was able to tally over fifty species of birds. The highlight for many was a pair of Smooth-billed Ani that crossed the road on a couple of occasions during the walk. Other highlights included Chimney Swift, Sandhill Crane, Solitary Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, White-tailed Kite, Short-tailed Hawk (light morph), Pileated Woodpecker (heard), Alder Flycatcher (seen by a few participants), Eastern and Gray Kingbird, Purple Martin, Brown Thrasher, Bobolink, Brown-headed Cowbird, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Cape May Warbler and Painted Bunting. An eBird checklist listing all of the birds seen or heard during the trip can be viewed here.
Smooth-billed Anis: Photo courtesy of Brian Rapoza