I used to love birding in Florida so much that I visited for three consecutive winters, starting in 2006. For me, Florida was the definitive birding promised land. As time passed, so did our approach to birding; we became more seasoned, systematic, and knowledgeable. Simply put, we became better birders. During those formative years, my goal was simply volume: I just wanted to see a bird — anything with wings and a beak — and Florida provided the sheer abundance I desperately craved. Fast forward 19 years, my goal in Florida was to see, give or take, 10 species. I know it sounds backwards. You might think I should be aiming for hundreds. This time, my ambition was precisely targeted. The trip was dedicated entirely to capturing the sightings of every rare Florida specialty species available.
April 26, 2025crazy as a jaybird
Our American Airlines flight was leaving from LaGuardia Airport at 11:20 am. This was the 2nd straight time we bought our tickets using airline miles. No wonder many airlines are in financial trouble😅 For reasons unknown, the airport was rather quiet, and we flew through security checks like a breeze. The most notable thing about the flight was how empty it was. I have never been on a plane (domestic or international) where only 25% of the seats were occupied. Needless to say, the flight to Fort Myers was quick and extra comfortable (we had the whole row to ourselves)😊.
Stepping out of the terminal, we were immediately hit by the thick, hot, and humid blanket of Florida air. Waiting for the rental car shuttle bus in the oppressive heat certainly didn't help the situation. After 20 grueling minutes, a shuttle finally arrived to take us to the Easirent office. The counter process went smoothly until the unexpected pitch for the highway/bridge tolls pass. Faced with a steep $25 daily usage fee plus tolls if we declined, I begrudgingly opted for their $10-a-day pass. Unfamiliar with Florida's intricate toll system, we decided the upfront cost was the safer bet.
With the rental car business finalized, my real Florida adventure began: the hunt for wondrous exotic birds. Our first destination was Oscar Scherer State Park, the prime location for the endemic Florida Scrub-Jay. As the name implies, these stunning jays are found exclusively in the scrub habitats of Florida and sat right at the top of my must-see species list. I was dead serious when I declared I was not leaving that park until I spotted one. Luckily, our 2-night camping reservation afforded us ample time to canvas the area for the elusive jays.
After a 90-minute drive, we pulled into the lovely Oscar Scherer State Park campground. As 2 seasoned campers, we had our tent pitched in record time and immediately set off on our debut Florida birding adventure.
We navigated the scrub trail — a mosaic of low-growing oaks and sandy soil — known to be the Jays' haunt. Although we started our hike after 6 p.m., the temperature was still sweltering hot🔥. Just a few minutes in, we were already drenched in sweat. We must have trudged for about an hour in the boiling heat before I finally spotted a Jay resting within a shrub. Score! Then we saw another. We thoroughly enjoyed the company of these very special Florida residents, and I was quite amazed by how unbothered they were by our presence.
It was nearly 8 p.m. when we finally decided to call it a day. I wouldn't call the state park 'birdy,' but the unforgettable experience of seeing the Jays more than compensated for the otherwise quiet evening.
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S229804201
Day 1 total species: 10, lifer 1 (Florida Scrub-Jay)
April 27, 2025celery fields forever🎵
I woke up nice and early at 5:30 am. While I was having a quick breakfast of yogurt and granola, Noel asked if I had seen a fresh pack of pistachios he had left on the picnic table the night before🤔. Upon discovering an empty wrapper and a scattering of shells on the ground below — the scene of the crime laid bare — it became clear we had had a hungry, uninvited guest🦝 with an insatiable appetite for pistachios😠.
We had a busy day ahead chasing lifers. Our first stop was Bay Street Park, where Nanday Parakeets are frequently reported on eBird. For the non-birders reading this, eBird is a massive, global online database powered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology where birders all over the world log their sightings. This tool was a revolutionary game changer for the birding community—arguably the best thing since the internet itself!
Bay Street Park was less of a wildlife sanctuary and more of a neighborhood dog park. Yet, to our surprise, Merlin (our trusty bird sound ID app) registered the parakeets the moment we stepped out of the car. Hopeful, we spent the next half-hour frantically scanning the area but saw no sign of them. Unwilling to waste precious birding time, we decided to try a different location. Just as we were getting into the car to leave, their calls sounded again — and shortly after, we were surrounded by a large boisterous flock of Nanday Parakeets! These birds, easily identifiable by their sleek black hoods, are native to South America. Feral populations established from escaped pets now thrive in Florida's urban landscape.
Bay Street Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S229946663
We arrived at our next destination, The Celery Fields, just before 8:30 am. This site is a jewel of the Great Florida Birding Trail and a renowned hotspot for local and visiting enthusiasts alike. Our initial goal was simply to spot Gray-headed Swamphens, but we ended up staying for 4 hours because the birding was that fantastic! I highly recommend visiting this multifaceted preserve👍 — it's perfect for birding, hiking, walking, fishing, kayaking, or simply relaxing.
The Celery Fields
The Celery Fields
Common Gallinule
Gray-necked Swamphen
Purple Gallinule
Purple Martin
Boat-tailed Grackle
Glossy Ibis
Wood Duck
Lesser Yellowlegs
Northern Mockingbird
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Tricolored Heron
Palm Warbler
The Celery Fields eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230102732
I wish I could say the Swamphens were the highlight, but that honor went to a common yet bizarre-looking Great Blue Heron. It was fanning its wings in such a way that it appeared to be wearing a voluminous skirt. Puzzled, I tried Googling 'great blue heron skirt display' to no avail. The most likely explanation seems to be a territorial threat posture. Until a scientific explanation surfaces, however, I will fondly remember this peculiar heron as my first 'skirted' subspecies.
Having successfully spotted all the exotic species I needed from the region, I could finally relax and shift focus. Our next stop was a visit to the nearby 'Rookery,' a vital sanctuary managed by the Venice Audubon Society.
Venice Rookery eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230149626
While enjoying the company of a lovely Killdeer family, our visit was abruptly cut short by a large-scale wildfire raging just across the canal. The blaze was serious and extensive; we were incredibly lucky to to have the canal as a buffer. You can read about the fire in the local news archives. Locals had warned us that Florida was experiencing one of its driest spells, placing the entire state on high fire alert during our visit.
Since our birding expedition was cut short by the wildfire, I decided to head back to Oscar Scherer State Park earlier than planned to spend more time with my new 'Florida besties,' the Scrub-Jays. I spotted them again at the exact same location as the day before. The odd part was that they seemed to seek me out, rather than the other way around. I suspect these jays are provisioned by humans, which explains their lack of fear. I'm unsure if this habit is ultimately a good thing or a bad thing (only time will tell), but they certainly appear to be thriving within the park boundaries.
Oscar Scherer State Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230210921
It was almost 5 o'clock, and we were both starving. Despite little munches here and there throughout the day, I hadn't had a proper meal and was in desperate need of one. We quickly settled on a nearby local spot called Thai Hot restaurant. On our way to the restaurant, I spotted a gorgeous Sandhill Crane and a Tricolored Heron foraging in a ditch right next to the busy roadway. Coming from the Northeast, where a Sandhill Crane sighting would be a rare treat, it was incomprehensible to see one living just a few feet from heavy traffic. Behind the crane stood a massive, newly constructed housing development, likely built on land that once belonged entirely to these majestic birds and other wildlife — a stark reminder of habitat loss in Florida😢.
Despite its unconventional name, the food at Thai Hot was fairly decent. Speaking of funky names, I found it absolutely hilarious that the local public transportation system is called SCAT💩 (which stands for 'Sarasota County Area Transit') — classic Florida humor! With a full stomach, I was fast asleep before 9pm.
Day 2 total species: 55, lifer 2 (Gray-headed Swamphen, Nanday Parakeet)
April 28, 2025most magical bathroom encounter
Can you guess how many birds I was after today? One! Uno! Yes, really. We left the campground in a hurry to arrive at the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area before 8am, laser-focused on finding a little brown sparrow called the Bachman's Sparrow. Despite its unassuming appearance, this bird is endemic only to the Southeast, making it a highly prized target. Backed by consistent eBird reports, my hopes were high. And we weren't alone — 3 other groups shared the exact same mission. However, even the veterans couldn't coax the bird out. After 5 grueling hours chasing a phantom through the scrub, I admitted defeat😣. Checking eBird the next day confirmed the collective failure: not a single sighting was logged, offering small consolation for my empty list.
Well, our 5 grueling hours at Babcock certainly weren't a complete sham. We managed to find some truly good birds, including Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Loggerhead Shrikes (an old favorite of mine😍)!
Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area
Loggerhead Shrike
Common Ground Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
White-wigned Dove
Red-shouldered Hawk
Eastern Meadowlark
Great-crested Flycatcher
Northern Mockingbird
Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230521696
After leaving Babcock, we drove for about 2 hours to reach Shark Valley in the northern part of Everglades National Park. My plan was to venture deeper into the park, but we unfortunately missed the last tram. We settled for birding around the visitor center area for a bit. The heat was hellish, keeping overall bird activity low, but a persistently entertaining White-eyed Vireo provided a welcome distraction.".
Everglade National Park Shark Valley
Huge Aligator!!!
White-eyed Vireo
Anhinga
Waterthrush
Green Heron
Blackpoll Warbler
American Crow
Great Blue Heron
Shark Valley eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230926794
By the time we reached Midway Campground, I was beyond exhausted. We hastily pitched the tent, ate sandwiches for dinner, and I was fast asleep before 8:30pm. A short while later, Noel’s urgent voice woke me, urging me to come take a look. We never wake each other up for trivial things, so I knew something significant was happening. It was already dark outside, and I followed Noel’s flashlight beam leading to, of all places, the restroom.
From a distance, I could already make out the familiar silhouette of a very large bird. Oh my god, there was a gorgeous Barred Owl standing on the cement floor right by the bathroom door! Was I dreaming? Was this real?! As we cautiously approached, the owl looked right at us, then immediately dismissed us as insignificant onlookers. Its eyes were, indeed, laser-focused on the giant moths swarming the bathroom light. As the stunned insects fell to the ground, the owl immediately pounced on them for a quick meal. It was, without question, one of the most surreal avian encounters of my life.
Midway Campground eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S271002197
Day 3 total species: 33, lifer 0
April 29, 2025ace ventura: pet detective
Instead of hitting the typical state parks and refuges, we planned a full day of urban birding in Miami. What could two dedicated birders possibly find in one of the country's biggest cities? My simple answer: escaped pet birds — but not in an "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective" sort of way. We were chasing the descendants of former captives, exotic parrots that escaped decades ago and now thrive in wild, self-sustaining colonies across the city. I adhere to the guidelines set by the American Birding Association (ABA) for counting birds on my official list. The species I hoped to find today range from fully countable to merely provisional, but they all share one undeniable quality: striking plumage and a fascinating, unconventional history in South Florida.
Our first stop was a small, quiet residential spot called Pinewoods Park, a reliable location where several sought-after exotic birds had been consistently reported. My primary target was the Scaly-breasted Munia, a gorgeous finch native to the Indo-Pacific region. Just as the Merlin Bird ID App had helped us locate the Nanday Parakeets earlier at Bay Park, it immediately registered the distinct calls of the Munias coming from the western end of Pinewoods. However, that’s where the similarities ended. Unlike at Bay Park, the Munias never made an appearance. After an hour of furiously searching every corner of the park, I reluctantly decided to call it a day, leaving empty-handed and more than a little deflated😤.
Pinewoods Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230817427
Our next stop was easily one of the most atypical birding hot spots I had ever visited. We nervously drove through the parking gate of Baptist Health Hospital, the largest not-for-profit healthcare organization in the Miami area. It certainly felt bizarre using hospital grounds for a birding expedition. I wasn't sure what to expect, but T]the hospital campus proved to be an exceptional location for finding urban exotics, with sightings occurring faster than I could log them. After an exhilarating 3 hours, we had successfully recorded nearly all our target species for the Kendall area, with the Scaly-breasted Munias being the sole exception.
Baptist Health Hospital
Baptist Health Hospital
Helmeted Guineafowl
Muscovy Ducks
Egyptian Geese
Red-Whiskered Bulbul
White-eyed Parakeet
Common Myna
Eurasian Collared Dove
Wood Duck
Common Gallinule
Green Heron
White Ibis
Nothern Mockingbird
Iguana
Lizard
Baptist Health Hospital eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230891659
Based on the data I gathered from eBird, Pinewoods was the only reliable spot in Miami for the Munias. I decided to try a quick second visit, but the outcome was unfortunately identical to the morning's attempt😖. On a more hopeful note, Noel spotted a gorgeous Spot-breasted Oriole foraging in a nearby tree. This sighting, however, was quickly overshadowed by his true "score" of the day: befriending a group of visiting birders from Colorado (who were also there looking for the elusive Munias). Unbeknownst to us at the time, this new acquaintance would later lead us to meeting Florida's powerhouse birding couple, adding an exciting, unexpected chapter to our trip😉.
Pinewoods Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230925995
Urban birding takes you to unlikely spots. We found ourselves standing before the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, a place where one night's stay can exceed $1,000. This National Historic Landmark, set on 150 acres, is a surprising haven for the exotic, naturalized bird populations we were chasing. It was time to find out if the birding matched the hotel's luxurious reputation.
I admit I was a little nervous about how we would be perceived—running around the grounds of such an exclusive hotel with binoculars and a telephoto camera in hand. Counter to my worry, everyone we encountered, both guests and staff, was incredibly hospitable. Many even pointed us toward recent bird sightings. Spotting the Red-masked Parakeets was surprisingly easy. They quickly became my favorite birds of the trip. Between their stunning looks and their openly affectionate, social behaviors, I was completely charmed🥰.
Biltmore Hotel eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230958556
We reluctantly bid adieu to the parakeets and started our long drive to Long Pine Key Campground in Everglades National Park. On the way, we stopped at Mario's Cuban Restaurant in Homestead, a spot known for its great reviews and authentic Cuban fare. I found the food just "okay," but quickly deferred judgment—after all, what do I really know about authentic Cuban cuisine🤔?
After 9 p.m., we finally pulled into the lovely Long Pine Key Campground. Fortunately, our routine of setting up camp in the dark was well-rehearsed. After a day of chasing urban exotics, I was asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.😴.
Day 4 total species: 30, lifer 2 (Egyptian Goose, Red-whiskered Bulbul)
April 30, 2025miami vice
It was a sweltering yet gorgeous day in the wondrous Everglades National Park. I knew today wouldn't be about chasing new "life list" species (lifers), but rather enjoying the company of feathered friends I hadn't seen in a long time. We spent eight delightful hours marathon birding, driving up and down the park road and soaking in the unique landscape.
Flamingo
Common Ground Dove
Red-shouldered Hawk
Osprey
Red-bellied Woodpeckers (x-rated)
American Crows
Marina
Spotted Sandpiper
Western Cattle-Egret
Shiny Cowbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Myna
TurkeyVultures
White-eyed Vireo
Great-crested Flycatcher
Woodstork
Gray Kingbird
Anhinga Trail
Anhinga Trail
Anhinga
Crocodile
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Great Egret
eBird Checklist: Everglades National Parkhttps://ebird.org/checklist/S231747792
By the time we finished our marathon session in the Everglades, it was almost 4 pm. We had one final place to explore before calling it a day: Frog Pond Wildlife Management Area. This quiet natural area, located just outside of Florida City, is a known hotspot famous for producing surprise rarities. Within 10 minutes of exploring the area, we came across a friendly local birder who ended up accompanying us for the duration of our time there. The preserve was rather quiet initially, and I considered leaving, but my new companion mentioned better opportunities further along the trail, so I quickly changed my mind. He took us on an extended walk, and surprisingly, it wasn't the birds that kept us entertained. It was our companion himself, a truly engaging speaker who shared many fascinating life stories as we walked.
Frog Ponnd Wildlife Management Area
Northern Cardinal
Red-shouldered Hawk
Cape May Warbler
Northern Mockingbird
Frog Pond Wildlife Management Area eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S231353837
An hour and a half went by in a flash, and it was truly time to bring our birding day to a close. As we were approaching the parking lot, I saw, in the distance, a few young men briefly wave at our companion, climb into their car, and drive away. The scene felt just a bit peculiar🤔, as I hadn't seen a single soul in the area besides ourselves and the local birder. In any case, I thanked him warmly for his company and hospitality, and drove away, wondering about the mysterious encounter.
As I started driving, a chilling message flashed across the digital instrument panel: 'Theft detected' 😱. I discussed it with Noel, but since nothing seemed amiss inside the car, we decided to keep driving. Shortly after, an alert from my bank confirmed an attempted fraudulent charge of over $500 at a local dollar store. The moment we arrived at our campsite, I frantically checked for my valuables and discovered my credit card was missing. Noel then realized he was missing some cash and a camera (he had brought two for the trip). I immediately reported my credit card stolen, preventing any financial damage, but losing the camera was a truly devastating blow. While we had previously visited and birded in 'dangerous' countries, this was our first time being directly involved in a crime. The thieves used a digital device to unlock the car remotely—rather than breaking a window—and quickly made off with only some valuables. There truly was nothing we could have done to avoid a crime like this.
However, a chilling suspicion remains: I believe our birding companion was part of the con. I’d noticed he was constantly checking and texting on his phone when he was with us. He told us he was an immigrant from Romania teaching as an assistant professor at a university. Yet, when Noel, an economics major in college, asked him some simple questions about his work, the man provided perplexing, vague answers. We may never know the truth for certain, and it would be deeply sad if our suspicions are correct, as I genuinely thought he was a nice guy.
Day 5 total species: 41, lifer 0
May 1, 2025police academy 5: assignment miami beach
Our first priority was filing a police report. Fortunately, Noel’s camera was insured, and a report was all he needed to file a claim. He contacted the Miami Police Department, who instructed him to report the crime at the Homestead Police Department, near the Frog Pond Wildlife Management Area. Upon arrival, the desk clerk redirected us again. She explained the area wasn't under their jurisdiction and that we needed to go to the county station instead.
Following their instructions, we drove to the Miami-Dade Police Department headquarters in Miami. There, Noel was assigned a detective to take his incident report. When Noel mentioned the location—the 'Frog Pond'—the detective actually asked other officers in the department if they knew of any illegal activities there. Several officers confirmed they had heard of prior theft incidents in the area. Now that we knew the spot was somewhat infamous—not for rare birds, but for criminal activity—it was incredibly frustrating to realize the police hadn't done something as simple as install a surveillance camera or even a warning sign😤!
The detective took down all the details and instructed Noel to return in two weeks to pick up the report in person. That was impossible; we weren't flying back to Miami just for that. Only then did the detective mention that Noel could simply file online.
We were furious they hadn't told us this over the phone when we first contacted them😠! While the bureaucratic process was incredibly aggravating, I should mention that all the individual officers we interacted with were polite and friendly
Having lost the morning to the frustrating (if friendly) Miami police, we were eager to get back to birding. On our way to the Florida Keys, we stopped at Black Point Park and Marina to find a local rarity: the Mangrove Cuckoo. The park felt more like a well-developed urban marina than a natural habitat—certainly an unexpected location for a rarity like a Mangrove Cuckoo. Unsure of the bird's exact location, it took us a solid 30 minutes to finally spot it. But let me tell you, the wait was well worth it. I adore all cuckoos, but this one is particularly handsome, sporting a gorgeous black mask around its eyes😍.
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S231673675
As mentioned previously, we had visited Florida numerous times, but neither of us had ever set foot in the Florida Keys. So, visiting the Keys was an exciting milestone for both of us. Our first stop was the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. I arrived expecting to be greeted by a multitude of colorful, chattering tropical birds. Instead, a profound silence was our only greeter. The forest was as quiet as a library.
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S231737531
Approaching 5 o'clock, it was time to find our campground. We stopped for a bite at Enrico's Pizza Key Largo. While the restaurant had good online reviews, its New York-style pizza fell short of my expectations.
On the way to our destination, we got stuck in the infamous Florida Keys traffic. Despite the delay, we managed to reach the Bahia Honda State Park campground before nightfall. Oh wow, I cannot adequately describe how beautiful our campsite was 🥰! We were positioned just a few feet from the shore; I could watch shorebirds foraging on the beach right from my tent! This campsite is easily in my top ten favorite campgrounds ever!
Day 6 total species: 20, lifer 1 (Indian Peafowl)
May 2, 2025meet the mcquades
It was a perfect day at the even more perfect Bahia Honda State Park. Not only was the park home to one of the best campgrounds I had stayed in, but it was also a known hot spot for migrating warblers. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of those little feathered, familiar songsters. This was exactly how I had envisioned Florida Keys birding would be!
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Semipalmated Plover
Short-billed Dowitchers
White Ibis
Brown Pelican
Osprey
Gray Kingbird
Common Ground Dove
Palm Warbler
American Redstart (female)
American Redstart (male)
Blackpoll Warbler
Northern Parula
Cape May Warbler
Black-whiskered Vireo
Noel the Photographer
Bahia Honda State Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S231954702
Bahia Honda State Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S231990883
Our next stop was the Buttonwood Trail within the National Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge. As its name suggests, the refuge was established in 1979 specifically to protect the endangered Key Deer—the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer found exclusively in the Florida Keys. While I did spot a deer, my primary focus remained fixed on the birds😉.
National Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232051491
On the way to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West, keen-eyed I spotted a flock of White-crowned Pigeons. My first and only encounter with the species had been a rather brief one in the Everglades many years ago, so you can imagine my excitement when I learned they're a common sight in the Florida Keys. They are easily my favorite pigeon species in the U.S.
Cudjoe Key eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232068909
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located at the southwestern end of Key West and is a popular destination for all types of aquatic sports. Yet, for birders, the park is famous for a single, highly sought-after prize: the Bahama Mockingbird. A rare visitor from the Bahamas, this bird had been spotted multiple times at the park in recent weeks. For us, this was the must-see species; a sighting anywhere else was nearly impossible. The hunt was on!
We’d been searching for the Bahama Mockingbird for over an hour. All we found were Northern Mockingbirds—swarms of them. This abundance of common look-alikes posed a real challenge, as the Bahama Mockingbird closely resembles the juvenile Northern Mockingbird. Soon after, we ran into the birders from Colorado we had met days earlier at Pinewood Park. They were also after the rare bird, with no luck so far. One whispered wearily that they had a secret weapon: the McQuades. Google 'Tammy and David McQuades,' and you'll understand why.
"David and Tammy McQuade are a couple known for their exceptional "Big Year" birding achievements in the United States, documented on eBird. They are the only couple to have had multiple consecutive years with over 700 species in the contiguous U.S. and are highly ranked on eBird lists for species count." As of today (November 26, 2025), Tammy and David McQuade are the top eBirders in the United States in terms of species count within 2025. They are highly respected birders, renowned for consistently achieving top rankings year after year, particularly in the continental U.S. ('Lower 48') category.
Yes, the McQuades are the real deal. Initially intimidated by their fame, I quickly warmed up to them upon realizing they were just genuinely kind, helpful birders. We had spent over four hours searching for the mockingbird, and since no one saw it—not even the McQuades—it became clear the bird simply wasn't present that day.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232174844
We made our final stop of the day at the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport, with the goal of spotting Antillean Nighthawks. Since these birds typically emerge at sunset, we fueled up on sandwiches🥪 while we waited. Right on schedule, a group of nighthawks zipped onto the horizon just as the sun dipped below the skyline. Our target bird was among them 😃🙌!
Marathon Airport eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232223100
Day 7 total species: 40, lifer 0
May 3, 2025stargazing
Our most anticipated day arrived: a visit to the iconic Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square-mile park, comprising seven small islands, is reachable only via boat or seaplane. The journey leads to a treasure trove of sights: the historic Fort Jefferson, crystalline blue waters, a vibrant coral reef system, rich marine biodiversity, and an abundant array of avian life
We arrived at the Key West Terminal just before 6:30 am. The early start wasn't the hard part; it was the sting of paying a non-negotiable $50 parking fee after shelling out $250 per person for the ferry ride itself. At those prices, I’d expect them to throw in a full car detail and an oil change! 🤣
Guess who we bumped into at the terminal?! The McQuades and the Coloradans! Internally, I was jumping for joy, though I maintained a happy yet calm and collected exterior. Traveling with the McQuades virtually guaranteed we wouldn't overlook a rarity.
For me, pelagic birding—observing open-ocean seabirds, usually from a boat—is the hardest form of birdwatching. It comes with the significant fear of seasickness, plus the added difficulty of spotting and identifying birds from a fast-moving vessel when many species look frustratingly similar. Thankfully, before boarding, the crew promised a calm sea, which was music to my ears. We were also trying motion sickness patches for the first time, so between the patches and the smooth forecast, we were hopeful we’d manage just fine🤞.
The ferry departed right on time at 8am. As luck would have it, not only were the McQuades on board, but we were also joined by a few expert bird guides from Wildside Nature Tours, a well-known bird tour operator. Among them was Alex Lamoreaux, who currently holds the 8th spot on the same Top 100 eBirder list as the McQuades. At that point, all I needed to do was sit back, relax, and let the pros work their magic🤣! And find them they did. It was amazing watching real birders in action. They seemed capable of identifying any speck with wings in the sky. There’s absolutely no way we would have spotted the rare Sargasso Shearwater on our own. A huge thank you to all the experts!
* On a quick side note, the faint marks you might notice on my face are the last remnants of an unfortunate accident back in March, when I fell headfirst off an eScooter😩.
Key West Bright eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232761919
Rebecca Shoals Light eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232762380
After 2 thrilling hours cruising across the calm sea, our ferry pulled into Garden Key a little past 10am. We had a generous 5 hours—until 3pm—to bird the island. Following a kind invitation, we shadowed the McQuades like two excited, lost puppies. The island is tiny, so 5 hours is more than enough time to see everything, especially with expert guidance😉! Garden Key felt akin to a 'Poor Man's Galapagos,' with seabirds ubiquitous across the landscape. By 3pm, we were fully satisfied and ready to depart the beautiful, far-flung haven of Dry Tortugas. The return trip to Key West was rather uneventful, with no rare sightings, but the ocean remained calm and the view exquisite. Life was very good for 2 happy birders from Brooklyn😊.
Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas Ferry
Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson
Noel at Fort Jefferson
Ruddy Turnstone
Laughing Gull
Brown Noddy
Bridled Tern
Sooty Tern
Sooty Tern Chick
Magnificent Frigatebird
Brown Pelican
Western Cattle-Egret
Sharp-shinned Hawk
American Redstart
Dry Tortugas Garden Key eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233278927
Since it was our last day in Key West, I decided to try my luck one last time to find the elusive Bahama Mockingbird at the tiny urban Indigenous Park. Despite recent consistent sightings, it was hard to imagine such a rarity residing in this small patch of green space. We thoroughly scoured the park for about 45 minutes, only to conclude that the mockingbird had other plans for the weekend💔.
Indigenous Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232707644
We didn't return to our campsite until after 8pm, exhausted after a truly action-packed day. I was totally spent, but my birding greed took over: I had to check one last thing before packing it in. I’m always pushing for more—one more lifer, one better photo, a clearer look—simply never satisfied!
Just before dawn today, I heard an Antillean Nighthawk calling near the bathroom area, but a tight ferry schedule prevented an immediate search. Night had now fallen, offering the perfect window to investigate that early morning lead, confident the nighthawks were in the vicinity. When we headed to the beach parking lot, we stumbled upon something unexpected: it was the park's designated stargazing night! I vaguely recalled seeing a sign at the entrance earlier. There, a tall man, who was also camping at the state park, had an RV and several large telescopes set up. He was a passionate amateur astronomer🧑🚀, and it was clear he loved watching the stars as much as we love watching birds. We spent a delightful hour chatting and stargazing with him. Among many things, I was fascinated to learn that hundreds of Starlink satellites now orbit the Earth. I saw them with my own eyes, trailing across the sky one after another.
Day 8 total species: 32, lifer 6 (Black Noddy, Bridled Tern, Brown Noddy, Masked Booby, Sargasso Shearwater, Sooty Tern)
May 4, 2025imprisoned by the weather
We left our campsite at Bahia Honda State Park early and started our long drive back to Miami. We were in a good place as far as Florida target counts were concerned; however, I felt that there were still some key species missing from my trip list: Immediately, 2 species popped up in my head 🤔💭, Bahama Mockingbird and Scaly-breasted Munia! Well, there was no chance of finding the Bahama Mockingbird in mainland Florida but the Munia was a definite possiblity!? Strictly speaking, we had seen Scaly-breasted Munia in Puerto Rico back in 2012 but I needed to see it on this trip for my American Birding Association (ABA) Area life list which includes the 49 continental United States, Hawaii and Canada (but excludes Puerto Rico) and that is the list I care most about. Noel wasn't too thrilled about going back to the Pinewoods Park for the 3RD TIME 🤣. We looked for the Munias for nearly 2 hours and guess what!? 3rd time was NOT a charm 😭!!!
Pinewoods Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233025758
Our next target was Blue-and-yellow Macaws. The last and only time we saw them was at a remote Peruvian jungle in 2013. I must say that it felt quite strange to see them in an urban park such as the Coral Reef Park in Miami. The good news was we saw some nice birds including the Macaws without much effort. THe bad news was it started to drizzle then turned into steady rain. Before we knew it, we were taking a refuge under a small gazebo from one of the most intense downpour I had experienced ⛈️. The rain didn't let up for over 2 hours and without any rain gear, we were trapped under the gazebo for the whole time. There were 3 Spanish-speaking young couple with a child also taking a refuge. When the rain started tapering off, the young couple took out a nice sturdy umbrella and offered it to us if we wanted to use it to get the car. That was very nice of them but I was quite puzzled why they didn't offer it to us 2 hours earlier 🤨...
Coral Reef Park
Muscovy Ducks
Egyptian Goose
European Starling
White-eyed Parakeet
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
White Ibises
Common Gallinule
Green Heron
Fish Crow
Just to show you how hard it rained, here is a video of children playing in a pool of water after the downpour. Before the rain, it was just dry lawn.
Coral Reef Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233270664
It was almost 6pm and we hadn't eaten much and I was beyond starving. Noel picked a cute casual Colombian restaurant called Mi Columbia in Miami Beach. We parked the car across the street from the restaurant and immediately noticed a gorgeous Blue-crowned Parakeet sitting pretty on the electric wire 😍! I was in a mood for Sancocho but they didn't have one. Well, basically they didn't have anything but today's special which was chicken with rice. I was so glad that they didn't have anything else. I mean my dish was so good that I really didn't need anything else. I'm already loving Miami Beach!
Miami Beach Bonita Drive eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233240822
'
It was another day running at full throttle and we were both completely spent. I checked into our humble slighly outdated accomodation, Beach Place, for the night in Miami Beach.
Day 9 total species: 23, lifer 0
May 5, 2025fourth time's a charm
Some wise man said the magic can't last forever and that rung so true this day. It was our last day in Florida and I was dedicating the day to finding missed targets around the Miami area. You probably already guessed it which spot I was hitting first. I convinced Noel to try for the Munias at the Pinewoods Park for the 4TH TIME! We then started our familiar drive out to the park. Well, my perseverance finally paid off. As soon as we walked into the park, we heard Munia calls and within minutes, we were enjoying the magnificent views of Scaly-breasted Munias!!!
Pinewoods Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233363839
My next stop was residential area by Washington Dog Park to look for Crimson-fronted Parakeets. The area was innundated with Mitred and White-winged Parakeets which, unfortunately, made my hunt impossible: The Mitrd and Crimson-fronted Parakeets are nearly identical except for the size differences among other subtle variations. Although my Merlin ID heard Crimson-fronted Parakeet at numerous occations, I was not familiar with neither bird enough to make a positive identification.
Washington Dog Park Area eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233426507
Our last stop was Oleta River State Park where a San Blas Jay had been reported. Although we didn't see the jay, birding at this low-key beach was a fitting end to our wild birding adventure in Florida. I was quite satisfied with all the exotics I bagged on this trip. Of course, I missed a few but who knows that *miss* could lead me back to Florida on a page not yet written.
Oleta Rive State Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233500069
Day 10 total species: 15, lifer 0
Florida Trip total species: 136, lifer: 12
