Do you love Red Knots? What was it like the first time you saw one in person? Where were you? Let us know on Facebook. In the following post, Audubon Florida's Northeast Florida Policy Associate Monique Borboen submits a report about our work with this special species. Enjoy:

Fort George Inlet is located between Huguenot Memorial Park and Little Talbot State Park (both Important Bird Areas) in Northeast Florida, is a known stopover site for migrating Red Knots. Here they feed on Donax, a small clam commonly known as coquina shell. Audubon bird stewards are helping the City of Jacksonville - who manages the park - to protect the Red Knots who rely on this critical feeding ground. I did my first steward shift on Easter Sunday.

Over 600 Red Knots were feeding assiduously on the shoals exposed at low tide. Our duty as stewards is to prevent disturbances by asking beach visitors to walk around the feeding knots at a safe distance. Not a small task as the shoals are very expansive and the knots' flock is spread out.

I noticed that one disturbance affecting a small group of knots often sends the whole flock of birds into the air. During my shift, we managed to prevent most disturbances and the knots were able to enjoy some valuable feeding time.

It was very encouraging to speak with several visitors who had already heard about the birds, their long migration, and how important it was not to make them fly up.

All the marked birds had lime green flags, meaning they belong to the North American wintering population. Starting the second week of May, we are expecting orange-flagged birds, coming from their wintering grounds in Argentina. Will our star be among them? Our star is H3H (pictured). In 2010, H3H flew from San Antonio Oeste, Argentina to Fort George inlet in nine days! We have recorded his arrival at the inlet every spring since 2009. It was spotted in Argentina this winter, and we sure hope to see it in the inlet again this May!

One way, his migration is over 9000 miles; add up all the miles H3H has already traveled and you get one remarkable species!

Stay tuned to the Audubon Florida News Blog for updates on Red Knots, H3H, and the other amazing birds of Florida's beautiful Northeast Coast.