FL Budgie locations - Sept 98 (long)
GREGORY.B.MILLER@bge.com
Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:04:34 -0400
Fran and others,
Here's a summary of emails I was forwarded from another
birder making the FL trip from Sept 24-27. Hope this helps!
-Greg Miller
Lusby, MD
WWW http://www.erols.com/gregorym
HOME gregorym@erols.com
WORK gregory.b.miller@bge.com
*** Budgie Locations - September 1998 ***
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This is still a much sought after bird. The last report I've
heard is a group of Budgies in Pasco County NW of Tampa on Sept.5
at Wendy's, at the intersection of US 19 and SR 52. That's
possibly as close to Tampa as they're likely to occur, though
they may be north of that area.
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The most reliable place to find Budgies is in Hernando Beach,
Hernando County, Florida. When looking for Budgerigars, it is
important to drive with the windows down and listen for their
parrot-like chatter. Budgies are often seen on the power lines.
In Hernando County from the intersection to US-19 and SR-50
(Weeki Wachee), head west on Cortez Boulevard, CR-550, about 3.5
miles, and turn left on Shoal Line Boulevard, CR-597. In 4.6
miles, make a sharp right onto Calienta Street, and take the
second left onto Flamingo Boulevard. Follow Flamingo Boulevard as
it makes several turns, which are marked. Budgies come to a
feeder at 4490 Bermuda (off Flamingo) and to another feeder on
Haiti, three blocks further west (this feeder hasn't been stocked
during the summer, but perhaps the residents will resume by the
time you arrive).
Another site can be reached from Gulfview Drive. Return to
Calienta Street, turn right, and merge onto Shoal Line Boulevard
southbound. Turn right on Gulfview Drive, which is the first
street south of this intersection. Go west on Gulfview Drive to
its end, and turn left on Gulf Winds Circle.
Other Budgies can be seen by driving all the side streets in the
area between the gulf and Calienta Street, from Eagle Nest Drive
on the north to Gulfview Drive on the south.
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You are in luck! I just saw Budgies on September 4 in Hernando
Beach, which is about an hour north of Tampa. This is the ONLY
reliable place left that these birds can be reliably seen...I saw
six budgies at the feeder and bird houses she [see above
directions] recommended checking at 4490 Bermuda Drive...I saw
them at about 5:30 PM.
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I had a flock of 10 on Sat, 5 Sept at Wendys parking lot corner
of US 19 and SR 52. See A Birders Guide To Florida--Bill Pranty
for directions( page118 at top). It is a 40 min drive north of
downtown St Pete. I would suggest you just park in the lot and
keep an eye out on all the wires in the area. Much better that
than driving the area (or to the Gulfview Square Mall) as traffic
in the area is very heavy. Good Luck
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