Paragliders invade Orlando Wetlands! Birds spooked! Birders aghast!
Most weekends, the Facebook pages dedicated to the Orlando Wetlands focus on spectacular pictures of nature in action — huge, hungry gators, mischievious otters and a flamboyant array of nesting birds.
But last weekend, a pair of unwelcome fliers sailed into the 1,650-acre park about 25 miles east of Orlando, causing a commotion that sparked an outcry among visitors and led to the filing of complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration and the state Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission law enforcement division.
The fliers piloted motor-powered paragliders into the protected space where even drones are forbidden.
'I saw them coming in,' said James McNair, 61, a hospice nurse who spends most weekends with his camera gear at the wetlands and who serves as moderator of the Facebook page Orlando Wetlands Photography
McNair snapped pictures of the fliers, one of whom headed directly toward a cypress tree dome, the main spot for nesting birds, which included wood storks, a long-legged wading species federally listed as threatened.
The wetlands is home to hundreds of species of birds from plain-looking flycatchers to bright pink Roseate spoonbills, and more than 60 kinds of butterflies. Alligators, bobcats, coyotes, otters and raccoons also roam the marshy grounds.
McNair said he watched the paraglider sail toward the rookeries, flying closer and closer before pulling up at the last second. Dozens of birds scattered, abandoning nests and chicks.
When the paraglider drifted away, the birds slowly returned.
'But it definitely spooked a lot of them,' McNair said.
The nature community reacted angrily online to McNair's photos of the fliers.
Some called for the FAA to investigate. Others described the fliers as self-entitled and idiots.
'Wish they landed on a gator,' one post mused.
In response to critics, a man posted an apology in the Facebook group, suggesting he was one of the fliers.
The Orlando Sentinel was unable to verify his identity or contact him.
'I respect nature and always try to respect people…I was out flying around and didn't know the wetlands park was there,' the post read. 'If I would have known, we would have steered clear of it. Never try [to] ruffle anyone's feathers, and I'm sorry to anyone that might have gotten upset with [us] flying by. It won't happen again since we know it's there now.'
Mark Sees, the Orlando Wetlands manager, referred an inquiry to the city's communication team.
Spokesperson Ashley Papagni said the city learned of 'low-flying paragliders over the Orlando Wetlands' from photos and community concerns. 'One of the individuals involved later contacted us directly, expressed regret, and we were able to clarify the sensitive nature and the importance of protecting wildlife,' Papagni said.
She did not name the individual, but said incident was reported to the FAA and FWC.
Chad Weber, a law enforcement officer with the state wildlife agency, said investigators were gathering information about the incident, and it could potentially fall under Florida laws prohibiting harassment of wildlife.
The city acquired the 1,650 acres in 1986 for about $5.13 million to filter reclaimed wastewater. Water flows through the marsh and the plants, which consume the nutrients before the cleaned liquid spills into the St. John's River.
In December 2022, the city opened a 2,200-foot boardwalk to allow hikers, birdwatchers and other visitors a view over the water and closer to the coots, egrets, herons and wood storks who nest near the cypress dome.
'It's what I consider a hidden jewel of Central Florida,' said Bruce Doerle, 77, a nature photographer.
Doerle said the paragliders are probably attracted to the wetlands area for the same reasons as birds.
Not many houses and a beautiful view from up high, he said.
On its website, the United States Powered Paragliding Association notes that 'Airspace can be very intimidating to a lot of paramotor pilots.'
'It means there are some places where we need permission to fly and other places where we don't.'
shudak@orlandosentinel.com
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