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Posted by Bryant Roberts on 18:32:02 06/22/04
In Reply to: Flamingos @ Snake Bight posted by LaPuma
I walked down Snake Bight Road on Saturday afternoon but missed the Flamingos, but there
was a Marbled Godwit and five White Pelicans feeding just offshore along with a few waders and
shorebirds. The mangroves growing along the shoreline are beginning to seriously limit the view
of the bight from the boardwalk. The mosquitoes were pretty bad on the road but nothing like
their late summer peak. At Paurotis Pond there were at least 100 nearly grown nestling
Woodstorks.
My main thrill of the weekend was a good look at a Panther on Research Road just before sunset
Saturday. I was on my way back to Long Pine Key Campground after failing to find any
White-tailed Kites and spotted a large animal sitting on it s haunches beside the road no more
than 250 yards ahead. I was able to set up my scope and observe it for a couple of
minutes, it's tail was concealed by tall grass but I was pretty sure it
was a Panther because of it's solid dark brownish gray color as well as
it's head and body shape. It finally flipped it's tail into view and I
was certain, then it got up and crossed the road giving a great look at
it's overall profile and long tail. That morning on Bear Lake Trail I
came across a 3' plus Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake in the middle of the trail, the first one of
these I've ever seen in the mangroves. It was a good day for seeing
dangerous creatures.
No unexpected birds were seen during the weekend but got to see plenty of Swallow-tailed Kites,
Northern Bobwhite, and Brown-headed Nuthatches in the pinelands. On Monday afternoon I was
finally able to get great looks at the White-tailed Kites on Research
Road.
: Sorry for the late post-
: On Friday, 6/18, 23 Greater Flamingos were feeding in Snake Bight about 200 yards off of the boardwalk. We use bikes to get out there- the mosquitos would be hell on foot.
:
: Also, there were several winter plumage Black-bellied Plovers and Willets...what's the deal? I have often thought that there might be some juveniles that don't make it back north in the first year- but would they skip a molt too? If anyone has any information on this, please pass it on.
:
: cheers
:
: David
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