Phoebes Big Sit 2025
Sunday, October 12, 2025 • AD Barnes Park • Report by Ana Lima • eBird by Miriam Avello
The Phoebes’ 2025 Big Sit: A Vireo Visit to Remember!
On Sunday, October 12th, 2025, the Phoebes Birding group gathered once again at A.D. Barnes Park in southwest Miami for our fourth annual Big Sit. From our familiar circle overlooking fruiting fig trees, a large pond, and a slice of open sky, the Phoebes tallied an impressive 40 species over the course of the morning.
This year’s highlights included two Belted Kingfishers who made repeated flyovers, their sharp chatter echoing over the pond, as well as a surprise, show-stopping finale — a Philadelphia Vireo, the final species of the day and a thrilling find for any South Florida birder. The vireo’s olive back and lemon-yellow chest stood out among the green leaves, marking a fittingly bright end to a productive morning.
Warblers were active throughout the count, with Black-throated Blue, Northern Parula, Cape May, Yellow-throated, and American Redstart among those adding color and energy to the canopy. Raptor sightings — including Sharp-shinned, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged, and Short-tailed Hawks — kept the scope busy, while Monk, Orange-winged, and Red-masked Parakeets filled the soundscape with their unmistakable chatter.
In total, we recorded 40 species, including waterbirds such as Anhinga, White Ibis, Great Blue Heron, and Osprey. The checklist has been submitted to eBird, contributing to community science and continuing our tradition of celebrating the joy of birding — together, one Big Sit at a time. A.D. Barnes has been a reliable location over the years with 2024 yielding 45 species observed with 161 individuals, 2023 yielding 46 species with 156 individuals, and 2022 with 49 species and 202 individuals.
Fun fact: The Philadelphia Vireo is a long-distance migrant that breeds in Canada and the northern U.S. and winters as far south as Central America. Its name comes from the city where it was first described, though it rarely lingers there — making its appearance in Miami all the more special!
BIRDS WE SAW
eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S281777834
Egyptian Goose
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type)
White-crowned Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Gallinule
Anhinga
White Ibis
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue)
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Short-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Monk Parakeet
Orange-winged Amazon
Red-masked Parakeet
Eastern Kingbird
Gray Kingbird
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Boat-tailed Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler (Western)
Pine Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Northern Cardinal (Common)