Re: FL Budgie locations - Sept 98
Phil Davis (pdavis@ix.netcom.com)
Thu, 01 Oct 1998 01:12:20 -0400
Greg -
The basic directions in your message came from the expert, Bev Hansen ... I
recognize her writing style. I'm sure you have the latest and best info.
When I made this trek in May, 1997, I heard no budgies, but fortunately, on
my second or third pass on Calienta Street, I found a single bird sitting
quitely in the back side of a tree in a front yard.
Phil
At 09:04 AM 09/30/1998 -0400, you wrote:
>
>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 ***
>
>=========================
>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.
>=========================
>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.
>=========================
>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.
>=========================
>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
>=========================
>
================================================
Phil Davis
home: PDavis@ix.netcom.com Davidsonville, Maryland USA
work: PDavis@OAO.com Greenbelt, Maryland USA
================================================