Re: Greater Flamingos in Miramar--flight path

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Posted by Jeff Weber on 09:00:21 07/14/05

In Reply to: Re: Greater Flamingos in Miramar--flight path posted by Ken Schneider

Ken:

Greater Flamingo is ABA countable, but seeing them where you did would invite skepticism because of their proximity to Hialeah Racetrack (where there's a huge flock of them, all able to fly). However, I have also seen Greater Flamingos flying west over the Fla. Turnpike north of where you are (in the Boca Raton area), and I think there's a possibility they are wild Bahamian birds coming in off the Atlantic and headed for the sod fields. That's a tough theory to prove, though.

The flamingos that are regularly seen in winter at Snake Bight in ENP are also suspect to some, but they have a lot more credibility than birds seen farther north. The prevailing expert opinion on the sometimes-large flocks seen in Fla. Bay is that they're the real deal, occurring naturally.

JW

: The 7 Greater Flamingos that I saw yesterday evening were in a compact flock. On reviewing the geography, they probably flew in the direction of the water conservation impoundment that is situated just to the south and west of the northern extension of Miramar Parkway/SW 196th Avenue that is now under construction. The Grand Isle subdivision of Sunset Lakes is adjacent to the east of this area, which seems to spread out all the way west to Route 27. If there are any birders who live in Sunset Lakes they should be keeping an eye out.
:
: This area is probably flooded, as it adjoins our lake system which is about 3 feet above winter low levels. The access trail (that follows the west side of the north-south canal along SW 196th Avenue that runs into the east-west canal along the Broward-Miami Dade County line) is now posted because of the construction. Sure would be nice if birders could obtain access.
:
: As to specific identification, I presume they were the Greater species only on the basis of expectation and their bright pink color-- they appeared very large but there was no basis for size comparison. The only reference I have is Pranty ABA 1996, which mentions flocks at the Hialeah Race Track. Do the Race Track flocks wander about? Of course the winds from Dennis and the extensive flooding of the Everglades may have helped disperse them from the south.
:
: Since this was my life bird species #600 I wonder whether they are ABA countable. (My ABA list is 24 less than 600 right now, so it is not an official "milestone" species, but I would like to know).
:
: : Thanks,
: :
: : Ken Schneider
: Miramar, FL 33029
: :
: : Visit our New Mexico Rosy Finch Web Site at http://www.rosyfinch.com
:

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Comments:	: Ken: : : Greater Flamingo is ABA countable, but seeing them where you did would invite skepticism because of their proximity to Hialeah Racetrack (where there's a huge flock of them, all able to fly). However, I have also seen Greater Flamingos flying west over the Fla. Turnpike north of where you are (in the Boca Raton area), and I think there's a possibility they are wild Bahamian birds coming in off the Atlantic and headed for the sod fields. That's a tough theory to prove, though. : : The flamingos that are regularly seen in winter at Snake Bight in ENP are also suspect to some, but they have a lot more credibility than birds seen farther north. The prevailing expert opinion on the sometimes-large flocks seen in Fla. Bay is that they're the real deal, occurring naturally. : : JW : : : : : : : The 7 Greater Flamingos that I saw yesterday evening were in a compact flock. On reviewing the geography, they probably flew in the direction of the water conservation impoundment that is situated just to the south and west of the northern extension of Miramar Parkway/SW 196th Avenue that is now under construction. The Grand Isle subdivision of Sunset Lakes is adjacent to the east of this area, which seems to spread out all the way west to Route 27. If there are any birders who live in Sunset Lakes they should be keeping an eye out. : : : : This area is probably flooded, as it adjoins our lake system which is about 3 feet above winter low levels. The access trail (that follows the west side of the north-south canal along SW 196th Avenue that runs into the east-west canal along the Broward-Miami Dade County line) is now posted because of the construction. Sure would be nice if birders could obtain access. : : : : As to specific identification, I presume they were the Greater species only on the basis of expectation and their bright pink color-- they appeared very large but there was no basis for size comparison. The only reference I have is Pranty ABA 1996, which mentions flocks at the Hialeah Race Track. Do the Race Track flocks wander about? Of course the winds from Dennis and the extensive flooding of the Everglades may have helped disperse them from the south. : : : : Since this was my life bird species #600 I wonder whether they are ABA countable. (My ABA list is 24 less than 600 right now, so it is not an official "milestone" species, but I would like to know). : : : : : Thanks, : : : : : : Ken Schneider : : Miramar, FL 33029 : : : : : : Visit our New Mexico Rosy Finch Web Site at http://www.rosyfinch.com : : :
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