As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Thursday 28 May 2015

Rare birds are thriving and multiplying on spoil islands in Tampa Bay

TAMPA - Motoring out from the industrial, not-so-scenic shore of Tampa Bay, Mark Rachal of the Audubon Society takes us to a place off limits to people, dogs -- anything without wings.

"There are no raccoons, no bobcats, no cats they have to worry about," said Rachal.

From pelicans, to roseate spoonbills, to white ibises, this spoil island called the Alafia Bank was formed by the dumping of millions of tons of sand and sludge dredged from the bottom of Tampa Bay to create deep shipping channels. The spoil island has since been given back to nature and has become a magnet for nesting shore birds.

"We estimate about 10,000 pairs of white ibis are on the Alafia Bank this year, probably the largest colony in the state right now," Rachal said.


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