Thursday, March 1, 2012

Florida's Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

Me at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary located in Indian Shores, Florida is the "largest wild bird hospital in the U.S" and also one of the coolest places we've ever been to see birds!

We were greeted immediately by a super nice woman and this (wild) Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary admits some 8,000 birds each year and was the "first facility to breed Eastern Brown Pelicans in captivity".

Started in 1971 by Ralph T. Heath, the sanctuary is dedicated to helping injured birds and educating the public. They are open every day year-round and charge no admission (although if you're like us you are more than happy to purchase from their gift shop and donate some cash).

Everywhere we looked there were birds, the main attraction being the Brown Pelicans. Not only were there tons of injured ones but on top of the enclosures were wild pelicans making nests. Throughout our visit we could see and hear pelicans coming and going, working on building nests and feeding their young.

Brown Pelicans

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelicans

Also ever present were Double-crested Cormorants. These black beauties would flaunt their wings and flash their piercing blue eyes.

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

While we were observing the injured birds we were surprised to spot a Wood Stork which gracefully landed on top of the enclosures. This tall, wonderful bird was a lifer for both Stacia and me.

Wood Stork

Wood Stork

Wood Stork

We spent several hours at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary and it was difficult to leave. We kept finding new birds to watch like a Snowy Egret and I even shared a bench with a Black-crowned Night-heron (who then flew to the next bench).

Snowy Egret

Me and Black-crowned Night-heron

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is an absolute must see for all birders not only for the amazing views of some of the world's coolest birds but because of the great work they do for birds. This visit was the most inspiring visit to a bird rehab center we have ever been to.

Please tell all your family and friends to visit them and support their efforts!

Me at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

8 comments:

  1. The sancturay is an awesome place to visit and the work they do for rehabilitating birds is marvelous. When I would find injured birds on Fort De Soto the birds would be sent to Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary.

    Across the street about a block or so to the north is a small park area where Woodstorks nest in the mangroves. Lots of birds there too.

    Lovely, informative post!

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  2. Welcome to BirdingIsFun.com Eddie! Honored to have you as a contributor. Thanks for sharing this post. Awesome birds, and awesome people who take care of them.

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  3. Thank goodness for wonderful rehab facilities such as this. Thank you for taking us on a tour of the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. Beautiful birds! Fantastic post!

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  4. Black-Crowned Night Heron with his minstrel plumes? Not a bad way to start some birding!

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  5. Thanks so much for the heads up on this wonderful place. I had no idea what a fantastic place Florida is for birders. We went to see the Twins spring training a year ago at Fort Meyer. Then went to Ding Darling & Corkscrew Audobon Sanctuary. I was hooked for life... :)

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  6. Great pics and story. I will definitely put it on my list of places to visit! I had never heard of them. It's wonderful to hear of all the good work they are doing!

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  7. Sounds like an awesome place. Wonderful birds and photos. I will have to add this to places to visit.

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  8. Congrats on your lifer Wood Stork! That looks like a great place to visit. must put that on my list.

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