pxs@lanl.gov (patricia snider) (04/11/90)
One of the best places on the keys to bird is on Sugarloaf Key. This is the place for Mangrove Cuckoos. A map was published on it years ago by the A.B.A. Jim Lane has one of his bird finding guides on florida. Also there was a book in magazine form on where to bird in the state. It might could be picked up while there. The A.B.A has bird books for sale on places all over the country. Another nice place is John Pennekamp Park where you go over the only U.S. coral reef in a glass-bottom boat. On the way out you go thru mangrove swamp and over the Gulf. And there are beaches to drive along in Key West. Or you can take the sea-plane out to the Dry Tortugas. Only place where there are Noddy Terns, Sooty Terns, and an occasional booby. Fort Jefferson is worth seeing out there, too. The main specialties of the area are the White-crowned Pigeons, Gray Kingbirds, Black-whiskered Vireos, etc. In summer there are the Antillean Nighthawks, though we saw them at the Holiday Inn in Homestead, too. And there is always the chance of a real rarity. Tune in to the National and Florida Rare Bird Alerts before you go. Pat Snider 2435-C 45th Street Los Alamos, NM 87544
misan@ra.abo.fi (Annika Forsten DC) (04/11/90)
There is a booklet called 'Birding in the Keys' by the National Audubon Society research department. They revise it yearly so it's up to date. Write to: National Audubon Society Research Department 115 Indian Mound Trail Tavernier FL 33070 (305)852-5092 Their office is on Plantation Key (MM89), second house left on Indian Mound Trail. Open weekdays 8:30-12:00 and 1:00-4:30. If the office is closed the booklet should be available in a box outside. The best site for shorebirds is Ohio Key (south side) at high tide. Grassy Key, Lake Edna was also pretty good for waders and shorebirds. Rowell's Marina on Key Largo (MM104.6) is good for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Gray Kingbird. If you plan to fly out to the Dry Tortugas, phone a couple of days beforehand to ensure a seat on the plane. Key West Seaplane Service (5603 Jr. College Rd, Key West, Florida 33040) phone (305) 294-6978. My information is from March 1989, things could have changed. Annika Forsten, Abo Akademi, Turku, Finland misan@ra.abo.fi