Here on the east coast of Florida I’m looking for a Life Bird. I’ve been to this part of the country so often that I’ve seen all the easy ones, but there’s a bird in Broward County that fits the bill.
Spot-breasted orioles (Icterus pectoralis) are native to Mexico and Central America but were introduced to the Miami area in the 1940’s. Since then they’ve raised families, spread out a bit and become so established that they’re “count-able” according to American Birding Association rules. I found out they’re at Markham Park in Broward County where I heard that a western spindalis was hanging out with them in January.
The western spindalis is gone (alas! not reported since January 31) but the spot-breasted orioles are still there so I’m going to seek them out.
If I see one, I can count him.
(*) “Countable”: When a new species is introduced to North America it can’t be counted as a wild bird on ABA Life Lists until the ABA determines that it’s become established on its own. Of course I have my own list of exceptions that count for me but aren’t official. Click here for the ABA rules and here for the ABA checklist.
(photo from Wikimedia Commons. Click on the image to see the original)
p.s. Alas! Bad luck. I didn’t find the spot-breasted orioles even though two were seen on Sunday.
I saw one in a residential neighborhood in Ft. Lauderdale adjacent to a lagoon. The species was not on my radar, but when I saw it I was like “Oh yeah, right.” It was nice in a way to be surprised.
Good luck!
So, did you find your bird?
No, didn’t find the bird
I remember exactly the little park I was in Ft Lauderdale when I spotted the Spot-breasted Oriole if you are still in the area and want to give it a try. It was called North Victoria Park on North Victoria Park Rd. I also saw my first ever Hooded Warbler (a male) there. I was thrilled. He seemed happy in the park and not skittish. It was November. There is also a cemetery not far from there called Evergreen Cemetery that resources say can be productive for birding purposes and sure enough, it was active. It’s on SE 10th Ave.
Alas, I am not in the area any more. Now I’m up at Merritt Island.
I went to Markham Park two times in search of the spindalus and came up empty both times, although on the second trip, I’m sure the bird flew right past me, but I didn’t get a good enough look to be sure. I saw the black wings with the bold white stripe and I don’t know what other bird it could have been. That was on January 31. On the positive side, I did see three of the orioles that day. That was a life bird for me.