Navigation in contemporary panhandle Florida is far easier than in decades past. The roads are named and numbered with identification information visible on reflective signs.
When venturing beyond the county or state lines, or even international boarders, the task of finding one’s way is simpler and exceptionally accurate. Handheld devices and vehicle mounted mapping systems are capable of guiding a traveler to their destination in the most direct and efficient way.
Gone are the days of paper maps which were used in conjunction with a compass. The navigational skill of dead reckoning is almost a lost art and not practical with modern driving practices.
Birds do not have the benefit of humanity’s travel technology. For the residential species, this lack of access has limited affects, but for migratory fowl a “minor miscalculation” at the beginning of a trip can result in arriving far off course.
These feathered travelers journey over hundreds, if not thousands, of miles, moving from winter grounds to breeding colonies. It is little wonder that a few get lost occasionally and arrive in unexpected locations.
A lone flamingo shares the bounty of St. Marks’ mudflats with other wading birds. It is a guess as to how it got to the area, but it stands out to anyone who knows the local birds.
Last year a blue rock-thrush was photographed on an Oregon beach. The native of Europe and Asia was strolling on the sands near the surf, likely wondering where the remainder of the flock was.
Even north Florida has its exotic visitors which arrive on the winds. A lone flamingo has been seen on the mudflats of the St. Marks National Wildlife Reserve. The natural area is home to many native species of birds and is on the flight path of numerous avian flocks traveling to their seasonal homes.
The American flamingo (Phoenicopter ruber) is not normally associated with north Florida. While it does migrate, it is usually to its breeding grounds far to the south.
When seen in Florida, it is observed in the extreme southern counties. Aside from the plastic lawn ornaments, its normal habitats are isolated shallow brackish waters and mudflats.
The American type is the largest of four flamingo species in the western hemisphere but is smaller than the greater flamingo which is found in eastern hemisphere locations.
The name flamingo originates from the Portuguese or Spanish term for “flame colored.” This bird’s bright colors come from its diet which contains high volumes of carotenoids, usually coming from shrimp.
Another navigationally challenged arrival to this area is the western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis). This member of the flycatcher family is typically found in the midwestern and western United States, and Mexico.
Several reference books have identified a small population in south Florida where flamingos typically reside. This cardinal-sized bird prefers open areas in its native habitat where they can pursue insects.
Usually, weather conditions are credited with the appearance of non-native birds. Storms and gales can blow individuals and flocks to distant and unfamiliar places with only a few of the castaways surviving.
As with most creatures taken out of their native environment, the appearances are short-lived. With no mate, establishment of flocks is impossible.
The notable exception are cattle egrets which were blown to the Americas during the 1930’s. These ever-present white birds are seen daily in close proximity to cattle, horses and goats.
Spring is a good time to observe the movement of migratory birds through the region. There is no telling what may appear.
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