----- Original Message ----- 
From: Chuck Geanangel<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 8:10 PM
Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Polk phosphate mines


July 23, 2005
It's amazing what can happen in just a few weeks. The mines have gone from zero shorebirds to over 8,200 in three weeks.The White Pelicans are back already 450 strong and migrating Barn Swallows are mixing with the Rough-winged Swallows that nest here. Sandwich Terns are back after an absence of several years and 3 Common Terns are left over from a larger flock of two weeks ago. Black, Least, Forster's, Caspian and Gull-billed are all here; 8 species of tern  if you count Black Skimmers.Most of the shorebirds were Least Sandpipers, 8100, but good numbers of Semipalmated Plovers, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilts, Avocet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers, Stilt Sandpipers and a few Long-billed Dowitchers were on the mudflats.Sadly the summer bonanza is off-limits to the general public but come winter  bird tours will be offered again by the Mosaic Phosphate Company.
Charles Geanangel
Winter Haven, FL
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Find out the status of Polk County birdlife at http://www.polkcountybirds.com<http://www.polkcountybirds.com/>
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