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Posted by Vincent Lucas on 08:15:07 05/04/12
I spent the early hours after sunrise at Dog Beach at New Pass (8800 Estero Blvd., Ft. Myers Beach) in Lee County. I got there before the dogs and their owners. The tide was perfect (low) and the lighting was superb. This site is one of SW Florida's best kept secrets for shorebirds and waders but timing is everything. I saw a few dozen Red Knots most in high breeding plumage. At least one of them was banded/flagged: upper right leg -- lime green flag. lower right leg -- metal band. upper left leg: light blue band. Unfortunately, I was too far away to read any numbers/codes. Anyone have an idea where this bird might have been banded? I'm ccing Patrick Leary as I think he might know. Other great shorebirds included one Whimbrel, one Semipalmated Sandpiper, many Willets and Black-bellied Plovers in high breeding plumage (the only plover present), ubiquitous Sanderlings, a few Short-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, two Spotted Sandpipers, many Ruddy Turnstones and many Dunlin in high breeding plumage. Waders included 10 or so Roseate Spoonbills, two Reddish Egrets, many Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue & Tricolored Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Great Egret, White Ibis, and other common birds including Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns. If you plan on going to this location, my suggestions are that you arrive there just after dawn, before the dogs & owners; arrive on a low or incoming tide; bring a scope and wear beach shoes or footwear you don't mind getting wet. After entering the beach, go right as far as you can as the birds are across the channel at that end. Go on a weekday when there aren't as many people and dogs. Good birding!
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