Flamingo Update

For those of you following the Opal Beach flamingo that I first sighted on September 17th, I'm happy to report the bird was seen on Saturday and Sunday by park visitors and on Tuesday (by me). We still don't know if the flamingo will find it's way home, but we're consulting experts to determine what, if anything, needs to be done to help ensure its continued health.

Still Enjoying the Florida Sun

The flamingo is still hanging out a little east of Opal Beach on the north shore... S/he seems to like our mudflats!



I had a chance to check the area again this morning after nest sitting with PK7181 and SR7201.



There were no sea turtle hatchlings today, but there were some great birds!



It looks like a rainy day, and maybe a rainy weekend, so it may be hard for folks to get down to Opal. It's definitely worth the trip to see this animal outside it's natural range. I do hope the flock finds its way back home!

Wild Flamingo on Pensacola Beach

I'm more of a sea turtle girl than a bird expert, but I was still really excited to see a Flamingo at Opal Beach this morning! I was just searching for Piping Plovers in Gulf Islands National Seashore when I came across this unmistakable bird near the pavilions.



Our local bird experts, Bob and Lucy Duncan, tell me this bird is one of three that have been sighted in Mississippi and Destin since the recent spate of tropical activity. The Destin link has video of the recent post-Gustav sighting.



Apparently, experts can tell different stocks apart by examining feathers near their face, and other distinguishing marks. Isn't that cool? They think this one, and the two that were hanging out in Mississippi, are from the flock in Inagua, Bahamas. According to this article, the birds seem to have left Inagua in advance of Hurricane Hanna on September 1st.

Piping Plover Surveys

Today was a Piping Plover survey day at Gulf Islands National Seashore. We're been trying to get them completed for days, but between hatchling sea turtles and stranded adults, it's been a bit busy!



The same banded PIPL that's been hanging out at Little Sabine for the last month was hanging out still... Guess the mudflats there have some great treats!



Of course, there was also the infamous Flamingo at Opal Beach, hanging out with a Great Blue Heron that may, or may not, be a close relative. Flamingos may just be in a bird branch all of their own, though they look a lot like storks to me!



The peeps were out in great numbers, fighting amongst themselves,



and hiding from me...



I just love watching the antics of Reddish Egrets...



With their spooky yellow eyes and comical behavior, I don't understand why no one has used them as cartoon characters yet!