Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

On Friday November 30, 2007, the Yankee Freedom II arrived at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park, and was greeted by twelve White Pelicans soaring over the Fort. What a sight! White Pelicans winter in South Florida, mostly around Flamingo and the Ten Thousand Islands (all part of Everglades National Park ) in Florida Bay. Unlike Brown Pelicans, which are enjoyed daily by our park visitors, who plunge dive from the air into the sea for their food (fish), White Pelicans swim and dive (from the surface) often in large groups herding fish and collecting fish in their large pouch and bill. The group of twelve White Pelicans remained at the Fort through Saturday, and on Sunday only one White Pelican remained. This lone Pelican was harassed by Magnificent Frigatebirds while soaring over Ft. Jefferson.

The first Pomarine Jaeger of the 2007-2008 winter season was observed around the Marqueses Islands in late November. Last winter numerous individuals of this species were observed in this area of our boat ride to Dry Tortugas National Park. A few warbler species were found on Garden Key including Black throated Green, Parula, Palm and Yellow rumped. A Chuck Will’s Widow was also observed napping inside the walls of Ft. Jefferson. Three Whimbrel’s, a Willet, numerous Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones and Black Bellied Plovers are on and near the coaling docks. Several adult Brown Booby’s have been perching on the navigational markers on the west side of Fort Jefferson. The Yankee Freedom II passes directly by these navigational markers on our arrival to Fort Jefferson and visitors are treated to a closeup view of these awesome seabirds. Sixteen Masked Booby birds were counted on Hospital Key on December 2, 2007.

Share on Facebook