BIT OF JOY | Spoonbill spotting

This one’s for the bird enthusiasts. Audubon’s Everglades Science Center team is asking for help identifying banded Roseate Spoonbills that could be roaming across the state. Nearly 3,000 of them have been banded since 2003, and the conservation organization wants to know where those birds are now. Audubon Florida’s Kelly Cox says, “Understanding spoonbills’ behavior gives us clues to changes in water quality and quantity in the Everglades,” and humans might be able to find out if there are any changes to the ecosystem on the horizon based on what those birds are up to. If you spot a Roseate Spoonbill with a band on its leg, take a photo and submit your findings. As a thanks, you’ll get a special sticker identifying you as a Spoonbill spotter.