Flamingo sighting on Bunche Beach keeps bird watchers in a frenzy

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Photo: Lee County Parks & Recreation

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Southwest Florida bird watchers are flocking to see an American flamingo spotted at Bunche Beach Preserve.

Beachgoers say the bird has been seen across Lee County since July.

On Thursday, spectators caught a glimpse of the bird around 2 p.m. near the Sanibel Causeway. People say they’ve been looking for it all day in hopes of getting the money shot.

Gail Campbell says she was one of the first to see it, “I said ‘oh my word, look at this!'”

“To see a flamingo in the wild is really, really spectacular,” said traveling bird watcher Christian Hagenlocher. “I believe historically, they used to be found here. So, it’s really neat to see a bird that has come back into this area, and is using the habitat to feed.”

Lee County Parks and Recreation officials advise everyone trying to take photos of the bird to be careful not to get too close and disturb it. Officials encourage everyone to use binoculars, scopes or cameras with zoom lenses to get a good look.

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