Our alarms went off at 4:00 AM. We left the motel and headed for West Delray Regional Park. We arrived a little before first light and walked over to where the bird was found the day before. A Whip-poor-will zoomed past us as it was barely light enough to see. As the sky brightened, we heard cuckoo-like calls coming from the west side of the pond adjacent to the mountain bike trail but never saw the bird. Eventually, about 75 birders were spread out all over the area. At around 8:00 AM, the Dark-billed Cuckoo was spotted and everyone converged on the spot. The bird was perched about two feet off the ground in a spot that was a little tough to find initially, but it stayed perched in one area most of the time, which allowed everyone to eventually find it.
After a while, it moved into a much more open position where I got much better photos.
Needless to say, I was thrilled to get to see this bird and even more thrilled that Jason got the bird, too, since he came along with no expectations other than hoping that something like this might show up during the trip. Later in the morning, rain showers moved into the area and we happily headed out. Other birds seen while at the park included Anhinga, White and Glossy Ibis, Wood Stork, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Monk Parakeet, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
We started the long drive back home but made a stop at the Viera Wetlands along the way. The auto route around the impoundments allows for many photographic opportunities. We got super looks at Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron, Anhinga, Boat-tailed Grackle, and a couple Sandhill Cranes sitting on their nests.
A Great Egret grabbed a frog that was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Hundreds of American Robins were flying back and forth adjacent to the entrance. Other birds present included Pied-billed Grebe, Cattle Egret, White Ibis, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Crested Caracara, Common Gallinule, Forster's Tern, and Loggerhead Shrike.
We left the wetlands and continued north. American White Pelicans were seen in Georgia just before dark.
Sunday, February 10th
I pulled into a rest area in northern Virginia and took a little snooze. We had left temperatures in the low 80's in Florida and it was now 21 degrees at dawn. Since it was very early on Sunday morning, there was thankfully very little traffic as we drove through Washington and Baltimore. At around 9:00 AM, I dropped off Jason and drove the last half hour home. We covered 2807 miles in three days, and I saw three life birds, something that will likely not happen again on the east coast.
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