SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

You’ll get the most activity at low tide.

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

While perusing today's edition of UHH, I see the title of this thread: "Ding Darling and Roseate Spoonbills." As a stamp collector, I thought the name Ding Darling sounded familiar.

From the website: https://dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/our-namesake

Darling was "A top-ranking political cartoonist syndicated in 130 daily newspapers and reached an audience of many millions with cartoons noted for their wit and political satire. He was awarded Pulitzer prizes in 1923 and 1942, and in 1934 was named the best cartoonist by the country's leading editors." He was also a conservationist and initiated the Federal Duck (and migratory bird) Stamp Program, which uses the proceeds from the sale of duck hunting stamps to purchase wetlands for waterfowl habitat. His art is on the first Duck Stamp.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge:

"For many years, Darling had a winter home in Florida on Captiva Island. Through the efforts of his island neighbors and the J.N. "Ding" Darling Foundation, a refuge was created on Sanibel Island from land donated by concerned citizens and acquired by the federal government. Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge has protected habitats for wildlife since 1945. It was renamed in Jay Norwood Darling's honor and officially dedicated to him in 1967."

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Mating season is coming up shortly. Good luck.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

What a photo! World class.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Actually, it depends which birds you're looking for. Some like to feed in the recession area when the tide is low - various shellfish are found there.
As for the Roseate Spoonbills, I've gotten my best pictures of them in grasslands in the 'glades - Ding Darling and elsewhere.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I am contacting them right now to get an answer.

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

We are here for the winter (New Smyrna Beach). I have been lucky to get some nice shots of them at Merritt Island Black Point Wildlife Drive, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, and Orlando Wetlands. I have never had much luck finding them on the Gulf Coast, but could be the time of year. We usually do gulf coast in May. Good luck. Hope you find them!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Because that’s when you’ll see the most birds.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Besides Ding Darling I’ve seen them at the Celery Fields in Sarasota and Myakka River State Park.

DrJoeS Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)

Looking forward to many shots from you

oconnortf

Finding Spoonbills can be tough when travelling a distance. sometimes they visit a body of water (or more likely a handful in an area) for a few days and then move on. If you can find areas that have rookeries then you are far more likely to find great shots. Now in the inside side of Tampa Bay I keep hearing about a Rookery that has a good number of Spoonbills at the Mouth of the Alafia River - or the Alafia Bank Bird sanctuary - It may require a kayak as many rookeries are on smaller islands just off the coast - (limits the amount of predators getting to the nests)
But research it first and any location - some have rules... beyond common sense ones about getting too close to the point you disturb the nesting pairs etc.

I have not made it out to that one yet but it is on my list...

jonsailhob

We have tried to see them at Ding Darling for the last 8 years and did really well until last year. Now there apparently 2 nesting pairs and the rest have moved north to Tampa area? We saw 3 this AM at low tide (best) and were happy. Several years ago there were dozens.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I have lived in Tampa for the past 20 years and have noticed a severe decline in all birds over the years.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

When habitat is taken over by new homes, things happen, and not good things for wildlife.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Enter Ding Darling, park on the side of the road next to the ticket booth guy. Behind him is a trail. Take that trail to the boardwalk, ( 3 minute walk) you have a great chance of seeing spoonies there. Then drive the thru the park, for some reason they seem to always be on the left hand side of the road. Either way you will see them. Low tide is a must, early morning before 10 is best. or late in the afternoon when they return.

Next head to Bailey Tract , they have a free parking lot, go ion walk the paths I see some in there plus lots of other birds. and gators. Save your receipt as you can reenter the park for free. ( same day) .
Have lunch at cheeseburger cheesburger.