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Posted by Mark McShane on 21:58:06 01/09/10
In Reply to: Flamingos? posted by Jay Keller
Hi Jay,
I am sure some of the TAS folks can give you some really great answers, answers based on years of experience. I have been running a regional RBA (http://neargareport.blogspot.com) for the southeast for about a year and I pay particular attention to the Florida American (previously Greater) Flamingos. My impressions from what I have observed from afar is that they are extremely randomly or accidentally seen somewhat inland at places like STA-5 (check the birding locations section on the TAS Miami Bird Board for more information), the provenance of any inland birds is highly questionable by many or all I would think.
They are mostly seen at Snake Bight at Everglades Nat'l Park (of course that's where almost everyone goes to look for them), however seeing them from shore there is an extremely iffy proposition.
I have noticed that the best and most reliable way, and also even an almost easy way, to see them is to rent or charter a boat (not supposed to be very expensive) and go out into Florida Bay near or to Snake Bight, also kayaking out of Snake Bight works very well too at times. Seeing them without a boat from Snake Bight is nothing that you can count on but it's possible.
Here are the sightings I have listed from my RBA for American Flamingo for 2009:
American Flamingo - 7/12 - FL - Hendry Glades Audubon/South Florida Water Management District trip to Storm Water Treatment Area 5 (STA-5)
American Flamingo - 7/21 - FL - Snake Bight from a boat
American Flamingo - 8/31 - FL - Kayaking on a high tide around the north shore of Snake Bight
American Flamingo - 9/10 - FL - From a boat at Snake Bight in the Everglades National Park
American Flamingo - 9/29 - FL - eleven Greater Flamingoes (seven sub-adults and four molting into adult plumage) in the northeastern corner of Snake Bight on Monday (9/28), doesn't say anything about boating
American Flamingo - 11/30 - FL - Kayaking Snake Bight
It was fun putting this together and nice to use that data on the website that I have been compiling!
When I go for the flamingos down there I am definitely going to boat Florida Bay and Snake Bight! Much less mosquitoes that way too!
Good Birding All!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
http://neargareport.blogspot.com
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