Birders are flocking to the East Coast for a rare spectacle as Hurricane Idalia potentially diverted a group of flamingos from their usual path between Cuba and Mexico. These unexpected visitors are being spotted in Mid-Atlantic states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and even Ohio, with birding apps logging around 150 sightings.
The Audubon Society of Alabama suggests that this event may be a once-in-a-century occurrence. Scott Duncan, the executive director, expressed his astonishment, saying, “To my knowledge, which goes back like 50 years, never anything as spectacular as this [has occurred].
This is jaw-dropping how many flamingos have been seen.”
Bird and wildlife photographer Jeff Lewis shared the extraordinary moment on Facebook, stating, “Drove down to Pea Island NWR this morning to look for American Flamingos. As far as I know, these are the first wild flamingos ever seen in NC.”
Flamingo sightings in the wild in the U.S. are typically rare, with Florida being the primary location. The Chesapeake Bay Magazine reported that the last confirmed sighting in Maryland was in 1972 on Assateague Island. However, recent sightings in places like Franklin County, Pennsylvania, are marking historical occurrences. Franklin County is part of the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Bird experts believe that the flamingos, guided by their internal instincts, will gradually return to their tropical habitat as summer transitions to autumn. This phenomenon offers bird enthusiasts a unique and time-limited opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime sighting during what could be considered a “Big Year” event in birdwatching.