Kendall Indian Hammocks Field Trip
Saturday, February 10, 2024 • Kendall Indian Hammocks Park • Report by Eliana Ardila, Images Courtesy of Ana Lima and Kathy Zirulnick
Forty-two women joined Phoebes field trip leader Eliana Ardila for a fantastic birding and nature walk at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park on February 10.
It was a gorgeous day in South Florida with mild temperatures in the 70s and 36 bird species were observed by the group. In addition to getting some crowd-pleasing views of several species, we also had the opportunity to learn about the native habitat that covers much of this urban park. We also talked about eBird and iNaturalist, and we shared tips on how to use binoculars for the new birders in the group.
Eager to get birding, we began our outing at 7:30 a.m. We welcomed new faces and greeted old friends. Several new birders and new Phoebes joined this fun and educational walk. We all searched the high canopy of Live Oak forest for migrating birds. There was an abundant number of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers and Gray Catbirds — species that come to Miami to spend their winter in the Sunshine State. One of the highlights of the morning was a pair of White-Crowned Pigeons that gave us great looks as they enjoyed fruit from the Strangler Fig tree, another native plant that we learned about. White-crowned Pigeons face threats to their food supply as tropical hammocks continue to be destroyed in the Keys and Miami, so it is important that we all contribute to habitat restoration of native tree species.
Three hours passed by so quickly and before we knew it, it was time to call it a day. Well — not so quick! We were having so much enjoying each other’s passion for nature that some Phoebes gathered for an impromptu brunch date at the local Vegan Cuban Cuisine restaurant. We laughed, shared stories of birding and kept talking about the birds that we observed at the park. It feels good to get out in nature especially when you do it with others that share the same passion for our feathered friends.
BIRDS WE SAW
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
White-crowned Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Western Cattle Egret
White Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler (Western)
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal