Kendall Indian Hammocks Field Trip 2026
Saturday, February 21, 2026 • Kendall Indian Hammocks Park • Report by Miriam Avello
Twenty women joined Phoebes field guide Miriam Avello for a wonderful Saturday morning exploring the shaded trails and hardwood hammocks of Kendall Indian Hammocks Park. This urban oasis once again proved to be an excellent spot for both resident birds and wintering migrants, offering a relaxed but rewarding walk for participants of all experience levels. The cool morning air and dappled light created perfect birding conditions as the group moved slowly along the paths, listening for calls and scanning the canopy.
The trip got off to an auspicious start in the parking lot when a small flock of cedar waxwings enraptured the group as the birds foraged in the canopy and entertained us with several flyovers. Their majestic posture, sweptback dapper crest and dark mask is stunning! We marveled at how every feather on these birds was perfectly set in place. With reluctant resolve we pulled ourselves away to continue our walk.
Other highlights included several raptors overhead, with Broad-winged Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, and an American Kestrel giving great looks, while Turkey Vultures circled high above. The park was alive with songbirds—especially warblers. We tallied an impressive variety, including Black-and-white, Northern Parula, Prairie, Yellow-throated, Black-throated Green, Palm (Western), and Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers, delighting everyone with active foraging views. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Red-bellied Woodpecker added to the woodpecker mix, while Eastern Phoebe lived up to its namesake as a favorite sighting of the day.
The park’s blend of open areas and dense vegetation also produced White-crowned Pigeon, White Ibis, Western Cattle-Egret, along with familiar South Florida residents like Blue Jay, Northern Mockingbird, and Northern Cardinal. A splash of local color came from Yellow-chevroned Parakeets, and attentive listeners picked out the calls of Fish Crow and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher moving through the trees.
In total, we recorded a lively and diverse list that showcased just how productive this neighborhood park can be during migration season. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a pleasant morning of birding, learning, and camaraderie—we look forward to seeing you on the next Phoebes outing!
To see a list of all the species observed, view the eBird list here.
BIRDS WE SAW
Mourning Dove
White Ibis
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Parula
Palm Warbler (Western)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Western Tanager
Northern Cardinal