The FKH 2014 Full Season Counters

It is very exciting that we are in the midst of another fall migration season. This will mark the 17^th year of standardized full-season counts in the Middle Keys, and I have no doubt it will be another successful one!

During the 2014 fall season, the FKH team will be conducting morning transect counts for migratory birds at Long Key State Park and point counts from Curry Hammock State Park for all bird species, with a focus on diurnal birds of prey.

The FKH Full Season Counters

We have a fantastic team lined up this year! With great pleasure, we welcome Kerry Ross back to the project for his third season! He has worked with birds ranging from plovers to goshawks, including raptor migration projects, avian recapture and rehabilitation. We could not do the project without him.

Kerry is returning to the Keys from his native California with his long-time colleague Moe Morrissette, who has years of experience working with Marbled Murrelets, shorebird surveys, and various projects along the Pacific coast and western forests. We welcome Moe to the project and to the Florida Keys!

Another fantastic addition to the team is Bree Furfey, a South Florida researcher with experience ranging from Black Skimmers to Swallow-tailed Kites and Magnificent Frigatebirds. We are fortunate to have her join FKH this season, and we will greatly benefit from her knowledge of the region and its avian specialties!

We are also thrilled to welcome Miami’s own Alex Harper to the team. Alex is an avid and sharp birder with experience in many parts of the world. Following field opportunities out west, we are fortunate to have lured him back to his native habitat. We will sure benefit from his wealth of knowledge about Florida birds!

I will also be participating in the counts, and look forward to welcoming visitors to our sites throughout the season, during the Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival, and during the many planned activities this fall. Happy Migration to All!