Posted by Fireform on August 16, 2002 at 22:12:43:
In Reply to: Shorebird Surveys at Cape Sable, Everglades National Park posted by David La Puma on August 14, 2002 at 17:02:53:
FWIW, don't only look up when you're out there. I saw a nice, big saltwater croc at Cape Sable proper about 10 days ago, and stalking my 4 y.o. daughter and I along the beach.
Beautiful creatures, just not necessarily willing to cede us the top of the food chain...
: This is just an informative email about something new going on in Everglades National Park. Last year Rafael Galvez and I wrote a proposal to initiate a semi-regular shorebird survey of Lake Ingraham, on Cape Sable, in Everglades National Park. Last week we (Sonny Bass and I, Rafael will be coming beginning next week!) headed out for a preliminary survey, mostly to see how the flats and tides effected the birds out there. Tomorrow (Thursday) we'll begin actual counts of the shorebirds utilizing the flats. In the future, once we have a dependable boat source, we'll be inviting volunteers to help us collect our data, so any interested parties should email me and let me know if you'd be available.
: So far the most interesting sightings from last week were:
: Hundreds of Red Knots (many still with significant BP)
: One lone Long-billed Curlew
: 20+ Whimbrels
: Many S.B. Dowitchers, Least, Western, and Semipalmated Sandpipers
: It will be interesting to watch the different age classes show up as we move through migration (most of the peeps I've been seeing this week have been first-years, in contrast to the majority of adults a few weeks ago)
: I'll post our survey results as they come in.
: Good birding!!!
: David