In recent weeks, flamingo sightings have increased along the East and Gulf coasts, including in the Hamptons and Cape Cod. More than 100 flamingos arrived with Hurricane Idalia’s winds last August, with some birds staying in Florida over the winter. While some birds have returned to their colonies in Mexico, others have been wandering and surprising scientists with their movements. Experts believe Idalia likely brought the flamingos from the Yucatan Peninsula to various states in the US.
In New York, birders were excited to witness a rare flamingo sighting in East Hampton, with one of the birds flying dramatically into view in perfect sunlight. In Florida, a recent count found 101 wild flamingos, and sightings have also been reported in Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. In Massachusetts and New York, sightings of flamingos have also been reported, with experts suspecting that the same bird may have been seen on both Long Island and Cape Cod.
While flamingo sightings in New York and Massachusetts are yet to be confirmed as wild birds, experts are encouraged by the possibility that some of the birds may be venturing to new locations. With the help of technology and bird observation tools, scientists are starting to understand the wandering capabilities of flamingos and the long distances they can travel. Birders and scientists alike are excited by the recent increase in flamingo sightings and are eagerly documenting and observing these beautiful and unexpected visitors to various locations along the East Coast.
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