South Florida Rare Bird Update
Compiled by Brian Rapoza
Last updated July 4, 2020
Rare birds reported from birding locations still closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic will not be listed here.
Please post updates on the TAS Bird Board, positive or negative, for the following:
Recent Reports
American Flamingo
Big Torch Key, Monroe County: Last reported July 4 (eBird) Photo
Directions: From mile marker 28 on US 1 in the lower Florida Keys, turn right on Indies Road. Drive north about 2.5 miles to Dorn Road/Big Torch Key Road. Turn left and drive west, then north about 3.0 miles. The bird has been seen in a wetland along this stretch of road. Up to six birds have been reported in wetlands here and on surrounding Keys since June 19. Map
Black-faced Grassquit
Blue Hole, Big Pine Key, Monroe County: Last reported July 3 (eBird) Photo
Directions: From US 1 on Big Pine Key, turn right onto Key Deer Boulevard (mile marker 30.5). Drive north 2.8 miles to the Blue Hole parking area. The bird has been seen near the parking area and the Blue Hole overlook. Map
Older Reports
Black-faced Grassquit
Everglades National Park Entrance Station, Miami-Dade County: Last reported June 27 (eBird) Photo
Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street) and drive west 1.6 miles. Turn left on SW 192 Avenue and drive south 2 miles. Turn right on SW 376 Street (SR 9336) and drive west 5.5 miles to the Everglades National Park entrance station (no fee). The bird has been seen just east of the entrance station. Map
Smooth-billed Ani
L31W Canal, Homestead, Miami-Dade County: Reported June 26 (eBird) Photo
Directions: From the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and US 1 in Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344 Street) and drive west 1.6 miles. Turn left on SW 192 Avenue and drive south 2 miles. Turn right on SW 376 Street (SR 9336) and drive west 5 miles to the L31W Canal, just before Glenn Garrett Memorial Park. The bird was seen along the canal north of SR 9336. Map
South Florida as defined here includes the following counties: Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach. Click here for locations to see regularly-occurring south Florida specialties. Click here for directions to those locations. BirdBoard reports for these species are also appreciated. If any errors are found in this report, please email Brian Rapoza.