Flamingos

Six Storm Water Treatment Areas (STAs) have been constructed in south Florida, their purpose being to extract pollutants (primarily phosphorus) from the water before it enters the marshes of the Everglades. Each STA is a very large (10-15,000 acres) wetland that is highly nutrient enriched and supports a diverse and nutritious assemblage of aquatic plants and animals.  This in turn attracts a crap load of birds, and every so often some pretty sweet species show up. 

One bird that has shown up sporadically from time to time is the American Flamingo. Apparently, three were spotted by duck hunters in one of the STAs a couple of weeks ago and if the rumors were true I was pretty eager to find them. This species ranges from the Caribbean to the Galapagos Islands, is now only rarely seen in southern Florida (although it once bred in Florida Bay), and almost never makes it up to my neck of the woods in Palm Beach County. Last year was an exception to this when a flock of over 90 birds hung around the STAs for most of March and April (see photo below). The difference this year is that the STA in question will soon be opening to the public, so if I can find these birds a lot of folks might get the chance to add this species to their county list.

Last week I conducted one of my regular surveys of waterbirds in the STAs and paid special attention to all things pink. I did see plenty of Roseate Spoonbills but not a single flamingo despite some pretty careful searching. That doesn't mean they aren't there - try finding three skinny waifs from a helicopter in 16,000 acre wetland - but I wonder if conditions weren't quite right for them and they simply moved on. I'll be sure to keep looking for them and keep you posted.