South Florida Water Management District flamingos in flight May 2014

FLAMINGO QUEST – 2020

You’ve been asking:
“I’ve heard you conduct tours to see wild Flamingos in Florida – how do I register?”
“Are there any Flamingo tours scheduled this year?”
“When are the next Flamingo tours?”

These are all great questions.

Audubon Everglades will definitely offer Flamingo Quest tours – when the Flamingos show up again!

A small flock (aka flamboyance, stand, and colony) of American Flamingos have visited the same restricted access area (closed to public access) in Palm Beach County during March and April for more than a dozen years. According to an SFWMD biologist, the Flamingos seem to stay through early May, and then move on. The birds are free to come and go as they desire. They visit the area when foraging conditions are favorable. In 2014, more than 140 flamingos were present. Because of the recurring pattern, and sheer number seen in 2014, many scientists believe at least most of these visitors are wild birds.

Unfortunately, no flamingos were seen in the area during the past 2 years. We have, therefore, scheduled no trips this year. However, if (when) they are seen, we will act quickly to schedule and announce trips on the AudubonEverglades.org web site, the Audubon Everglades Facebook page and via the Audubon Everglades email newsletter. If you would like to be notified when the Flamingos return and trips are scheduled, make sure you sign up for the Audubon Everglades email newsletter and select Flamingo Quest 2020

Happy Birding –
and keep THINKING PINK!

FLAMINGO QUEST FAQs

IN THE NEWS

“Flamingos Make Slow Return to Florida” TODAY SHOW Segment (June 2016)

“Flamingos or Bust” Flamingo Magazine Article (Aug 2016)

“Wild Flamingos Return to Florida” National Audubon Society article (June 2015)

WHEN AM I MOST LIKELY TO SEE THE FLAMINGOS?

Like all birding, the birds are in the wild and free to come and go as they please, there is no guarantee to see the Flamingos on any specific date.

• In 2014, the Flamingo count increased toward the end of April.
• In 2015, the Flamingo count decreased toward the end of April.
• In 2016, the Flamingos did not show up until the end of April and increased in May!
• 2017 was the first year the Flamingos were not seen on the tours or by SFWMD personnel in the area.
• In 2018, the Flamingos were seen in the restricted access area in late April by SFWMD personnel, but none were seen on Flamingo Quest tours.
• In 2019, the water levels were very high and no Flamingos were seen in the area.

Who knows what will happen in 2020? It will depend on the weather, water level, and food availability, and there is no way to predict those things.

Audubon Everglades offers carpool tours in the same Stormwater Treatment Area monthly from November – February to see the incredible waterfowl wintering there, but Flamingos are not likely then.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN TOURS ARE SCHEDULED

TOUR DETAILS

1. Times: There will be an afternoon tour on scheduled tour dates. If all tours fill with waiting lists, a morning tour may be added.
2. The probability of seeing the Flamingos is equal throughout the day. The main difference in the times is the lighting, with the best lighting for photography later in the day.
3. Check-in begins 35 minutes before the scheduled start time.
4. The gates close and the tour begins at the scheduled start time.
5. Please arrive early enough to allow time to combine into 4 person carpools.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

Tours are open to the public. Each tour is space restricted and advance registration for each participant is required. Trips usually fill with a Wait List, so early registration is suggested.

FEE

There is no “Fee” for the tour, however, there is a suggested donation of $5 per person for each tour to help fund the cost of offering these tours and Audubon Everglades educational programs

ALL TOURS

• Are lead by experienced guides who are very familiar with the area.
• Are carpool caravan tours in the restricted access area with 4 people per auto with stops along the 10+ mile route with time to view, scope and photograph.
• Require little walking other than exiting the auto for better views as desired.
• Last approximately 3.5 hours from the time the tour starts until the tour returns to the main gate.

LOCATION

A map and driving directions will be provided after registration is confirmed. The site is in rural Palm Beach County off US Rt 27, approximately 25 miles south of South Bay, FL and 30 miles north of Weston, FL. Approximate driving time from various locations is provided below.

TOUR RULES

ASE entered into an agreement with SFWMD and must abide by their rules to be allowed to conduct these tours.

1. Liability Release: Each participant must complete and submit a separate SFWMD STA Liability Release. Download, print, complete and bring the completed Release Form with you on the day of the trip.
2. This is a carpool driving tour with 4 people per auto. Unless you arrive with 4 registered trip participants in your auto, you should be prepared to take additional people in your auto, or join others in another auto.
3. Everyone enters and leaves the STA with the group; you may not separate from the group or leave early. You must stay with the group and cannot stop or stay in an area without the leader present. The gate is locked after we enter the STA.

GUIDELINES FOR MINDFUL BIRDING IN A GROUP

1. Listen and heed the instructions of the Field Trip Leader. Do not walk or position yourself ahead of the leader’s location.
2. Be respectful of your fellow trip participants.
3. Take every precaution to avoid flushing the birds. Close doors gently, do not slam doors or otherwise create loud noise.
4. Do not get too close so as to scare the birds away. If you flush a bird, do not further pursue the bird and flush it again.

REMINDERS

1. WEATHER – these tours GO “rain or shine”, dress accordingly and pack your rain gear “just in case”. Rain does not stop or cancel the tour. However, safety will rule. In the case of thunderstorms in the area of STA 2 at the time of the tour, the tour will be delayed or canceled.
2. RESTROOMS – There are no flush toilets on the property. Once the tour begins, you may not leave the caravan to use the toilet. Please plan accordingly. There may be a portable toilet near the STA 2 entrance gate. There is a composting toilet at the Harold A. Cambell Public Use area 3 miles south. There are flush toilets 15+ miles south at the Sawgrass Recreation Park.
3. Come with a full tank of gas, bring binoculars, spotting scope, camera, plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, hats, bug spray, etc.
4. For the health, safety, and comfort of all participants, smoking is not allowed on ASE field trips.

APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIME TO STA 2

Palm Beach County

Other Florida Locations

QUESTIONS?

Email: FlamingoTrips@AudubonEverglades.org.