Dates: April 27-30, 2026

Leader: Rafael Galvez

E-bird

Total Species: 78 birds

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Overall Summary

The VENT 2026 Dry Tortugas tour was a great success, with bountiful seabirds, migratory birds, some interesting surprises, and a friendly group willing to make the best of four days birding and exploring together.

We started off at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park with several migratory songbirds including Cape May, Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue and Palm warblers, Ovenbird, American Redstarts, as well as Indigo Buntings. We’d see all these again in the Dry Tortugas. Gray Kingbirds and White-crowned Pigeons darted in and out of the hardwood hammocks. A highlight was a Short-eared Owl flying over and eventually settling into a hammock on the north end of the park. This was likely an Antillean Short-eared (domingensis/cubensis), with an overall buffier and streakier plumage than typical “Northerns.” All the while, a pair of Merlins darted by, and Peregrine Falcons perched high up on a tower next to the park. Although it was an optional morning, it was a great way to start the tour.

During our first evening together, we had dinner at El Siboney, an authentic Cuban restaurant, giving us a flavor of the region. For sundown, we drove a few miles to Geiger Key and stopped at Boca Chica Beach. In the golden light of the lowering sun, several restless shorebirds were easily detected. There were many Short-billed Dowitchers, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, as well as some Black-bellied Plovers, Willets, and Least Sandpipers. A stunning Yellow-crowned Night-Heron landed nearby as the sun dipped. We then turned our direction towards the colorful sky in search for nightjars, and eventually heard some Common Nighthawks, most too distant to see, and finally heard the “pity-pit-pit” calls of an Antillean Nighthawk, confirming the presence of this regional specialty. We then returned to Stock Island and boarded the MV Makai. After meeting the crew and a brief orientation, we all settled into our respective bunks for the night.

The next morning, it did not take long for us to be rewarded with the first of our exciting seabirds – Northern Gannets and Magnificent Frigatebirds on the move. After a nice breakfast, we all made our way out on the deck. It was calm and overcast, and the breeze felt cool. Flying fish could be seen flushing off the bow and gliding for long distances across the deep blue waters. Eventually we started seeing bands of Sargasso (Audubon’s) Shearwaters moving fast, some of which had to be detected at a distance. Eventually, we came across the first rafts of them resting on the water, giving us excellent viewing opportunities. This species of the tropical Atlantic is generally solitary, and during most circumstances we are fortunate when we see a few. By the end of our pelagic crossing, we had seen 269! Other highlights during our ride out to the islands included Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Bottlenose Dolphins.

As we neared the Dry Tortugas, we started seeing Bridled and Sooty terns, Brown Boobies and more. We stopped by East Key to visit the Masked Booby colony and eventually anchored off Garden Key as Brown Noddies and Sooty Terns poured out of the island.

Once on land, we had plenty of opportunities to explore Garden Key, including the parade grounds inside Fort Jefferson, where the water fountain attracted many songbirds. We explored the vegetation outside the moat, and around the campground, but most of the activity was inside the fort. Highlights included Hooded, Magnolia, Prairie, and several other warbler species. A Black-whiskered Vireo gave us a bit of a run around, while a Red-eyed gave us second looks, until we all finally saw them well. Merlins, American Kestrels, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Chimney Swifts and swallows flew repeatedly over the fort. Eventually we saw the rare “Caribbean” Osprey with its pale plumage, which frequented Garden Key.

We also visited Bush Key and walked along its shoreline, getting close views of the breeding seabirds. Sooty Terns were bountiful, with spotted chicks everywhere begging for food, while adults cavorted overhead in massive whirls by the thousands, mixing in with Brown Noddies. Every now and then a frigatebird with its bright red inflated pouch flew by, or a train of beautiful long-tailed Roseate Terns sped past.

During our final afternoon, we took dinghy rides out to Long Key to inspect the colony, where a Red-footed Booby rested among frigates. A lone Great White Heron foraged out on the shoals. Despite the full moon, the nights were starry, and many constellations were in view.

The tour ended with a calm return to Key West aboard the Makai. The crew took great care of us, and our group bonded over the great food they served us, and during our checklist sessions. We shared many beautiful sights, several uncommon birds, and each other’s company during a true island birding adventure.

Day-by-Day Summary

April 27 – Key West and Stock Island: Doubletree Grand Key Resort, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, El Siboney Cuban Restaurant, Boca Chica Road, Buddy’s Marina, MV Makai. For an optional morning, most of our group met at the resort and traveled together to Ft. “Zach” SP, where we birder for a couple of hours, finding a nice variety of migratory birds. Our entire group had its first official meeting at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort at 5 p.m., followed by Cuban cuisine at El Siboney on Stock Island. After a very nice dinner we drove eastward, leaving Key West and visiting Boca Chica at sundown. We then drove to Buddy’s Marina back on Stock Island to board the MV Makai, where we spent the night.

April 28 – Stock Island and the Dry Tortugas: Buddy’s Marina, Straits of Florida, East Key, Garden Key, Bush Key. The Makai departed from harbor before sunrise. After breakfast we spent our time on the outer deck, birding along the way, seeing many birds. We made a stop by the Masked Booby colony on East Key and arrived at Garden Key by early afternoon. We birded in and around Fort Jefferson and Garden Key, and out into Bush Key before settling back aboard the Makai.

April 29 – Dry Tortugas National Park: Fort Jefferson and Garden Key, Bush Key and Long Key. We disembarked at Garden Key early in the morning and birded until midday, taking a break for lunch. We returned to Garden Key for birding and snorkeling. At sundown, we took dinghy rides along Bush and Long Keys. We spent the night docked off Garden Key, in the Dry Tortugas.

April 30 - Dry Tortugas to Key West. We disembarked the Makai soon after sunrise and spent some time birding in and around the fort. Once back aboard the Makai we started our return to Key West. We returned to harbor my mid-afternoon. The tour ended with a transfer back to the Doubletree Grand Key Resort.

Wildlife Seen: 

Marsh Rabbit

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Northern Curly-tailed Lizzard

Mabouia Gecko

Crested Anole

Brown Anole

Flying fish spp.

Goliath Grouper

Wahoo

Hermit Crab

Gallery