Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

Fall has arrived in the Dry Tortugas and “klee klee” the sound of kestrels resounds inside Fort Jefferson. We have had a special visitor on the beaches of Garden Key for about a week- the Marbled Godwit. Godwit’s are renowned for long distance nonstop migratory treks. The paradeground has three Whimbrels and a solitary Killdeer feeding on insects in the grasses. Numerous birds of prey including Broad winged Hawk, Sharp shinned Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and Northern Harrier are performing aerial shows on Garden Key. Male Magnificent Frigatebirds are displaying and courting on nearby Long Key. Shorebirds are resting on the beaches along their migratory trips including Dunlin, Willet, Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling, and more. A single American Pipit was observed on the shoreline as well.

Share on Facebook

Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

A trip aboard the Yankee Freedom II to the Dry Tortugas National Park will allow you to observe as many as three species of Booby Birds. The Masked Booby—largest of the Booby species w/ a wingspan of 62 inches, a weight of 3.3 pounds and a length of 32 inches—nest on Hospital Key near Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. This is the only nesting Booby species at any National Park in the continental U.S. (more…)

Share on Facebook