[fizzbyn]

Last night we saw a big white parrot-like bird in the bushes next to the golf cart path by the Virginia Starter, just before the tunnel. It was there when we went to the Cruise-In and was still there when we came back. Does this part of Florida have wild Parrots? We hope it isn't someone's pet that got loose. We didn't see it standing up but it looked like it was probably about 12-18 inches high. Does anyone know if someone lost a bird like that?

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by fizzbyn

Last night we saw a big white parrot-like bird in the bushes next to the golf cart path by the Virginia Starter, just before the tunnel. It was there when we went to the Cruise-In and was still there when we came back. Does this part of Florida have wild Parrots? We hope it isn't someone's pet that got loose. We didn't see it standing up but it looked like it was probably about 12-18 inches high. Does anyone know if someone lost a bird like that?

Her name is Maggie May and she apparently is a cockatoo (sp?)! I know the starter at Virginia very well and they spotted the bird this morning! They called the radio station and they mentioned it about five or six times this morning. Maggie May's owner had lost her when they took her on a golf cart ride yesterday evening and she flew away. She can't fly very well so did not leave that area all night long.

Thankfully a gator did not get her although there was one looming around there today. They were reunited around 10am this morning!

I don't think Maggie will be going for a golf cart ride again!

PS...the ambassadors as Mallory (Virginia) bought some crackers for the bird to try and coax her to safety...Polly did not want a cracker apparently....oops I mean Maggie!

[fizzbyn]

Hurray! I'm so glad Maggie May was found unharmed. I now wish I'd reported her last night, but I thought she was just some Florida bird at the time. Today I started wondering. There's a gator around there? Wow. Thank you, Cassie, for letting me know about Maggie May.

[Cassie325]

No problem! Yes there are Gators in some of the ponds and water areas. I believe they are removed once they are about 6ft long or more.

I wouldn't go searching for any lost golf balls in the water ponds! There are a few signs in places that ask you not to feed to gators....can't imagine anyone thinking that was a good idea....ofcourse we used to have Buffalo here too!!

The signs should probably state "don't even ATTEMPT to feed or pet the Gators".

[JohnN]

fizzbyn,
there are plenty of gators around, it's florida. The last couple of days, we've seen one about 6' long sunning in the swampland just off of Morse north of LSL.

Don't let dogs , children or you near the shallows.

PS- if a gator ever chases you, make a lot of 90degree turns, they don't turn well. If that doesn't seem to be working, run faster than your friend!