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Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714 Contact: Mary Plumb, 305-242-7017
Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial by enjoying a great time to watch nesting birds at Everglades National Park. If you're a birdwatcher, this is a particularly good time of year to watch these wonderful creatures in the nesting process. Large colonies of nesting birds can be observed from a respectful distance with binoculars and long range camera lenses. Every winter "dry season," wading birds throughout the Everglades gather at traditional (and new) nesting sites in preparation for nest building. They form nesting colonies that often contain hundreds and even thousands of nesting birds. Roseate spoonbills are often the first to start nesting, followed by storks, egrets, herons, and ibis. Species nesting here include the Great Egret, White Ibis, Snowy Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron, and Anhinga. Roseate spoonbills have recently been observed at their nesting area at the back of Paurotis Pond, one of the traditional nesting sites located in the heart of Everglades National Park. Bird watching from the Paurotis Pond parking area off the main park road is open. In a continuing effort to protect all nesting birds in the Paurotis Pond area from human disturbance, the pond and the area beyond the lot is now under temporary, seasonal closure. The nesting area will remain closed through the nesting season, which can vary in length depending on bird behavior. For additional information, contact park information at 305-242-7700 (during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Photo: Great Egret flying. NPS Photo by G&K Ladner WHAT: Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial by taking advantage of a particularly good time of year to watch nesting birds. Bird watching from the Paurotis Pond parking area off the main park road is open. In a continuing effort to protect all nesting birds in the Paurotis Pond area from human disturbance, the pond and the area beyond the lot is now under temporary, seasonal closure. WHEN: The Paurotis Pond closure is in effect until the end of nesting season and the closure sign is removed. Dependent on bird behavior, most birds finish nesting in May but will sometimes extend nesting into June. WHERE: Paurotis Pond is located approximately 24 miles from the main park entrance near Homestead, adjacent to the park road to Flamingo. More information on Everglades National Park can be found on the park website at https://www.nps.gov/ever
The 100th birthday of the National Park Service is on August 25, 2016 and everyone is invited to join the centennial celebration. Share your own park experiences at www.FindYourPark.com under “Share Your Story,” or hashtag #FindYourPark on your own social media to join the conversation.
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Last updated: February 9, 2016