The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 97KANAPAHA PRAIRIEAlachua County3520 acres (1487 ha)LOCATION: in southwestern Alachua County, bordered by State Road 24 to the north and west, StateRoad 121 to the east, and County Road 346 to the south. Nearly contiguous with the Paynes PrairiePreserve State Park IBA to the east.DESCRIPTION: a privately owned site ____. [Is there any public visitation or hunter use?]OWNERSHIP: privateHABITATS: *temperate hammock, *freshwater marsh, *fields, agricultural fieldsLAND USE: *cattle grazing, conservation, recreationIBA CATEGORIES: significant numbers of wading birds and wintering cranes and sparrowsAVIAN DATA: Kanapaha Prairie supports large numbers of “Greater” Sandhill Cranes and sparrowsduring winter, and can support significant numbers of wading birds. [Is a bird list available?].SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSWading birds Year-round up to 1000 birds (N)“Greater” Sandhill Crane Annual 1500 birds 6% (W)Wintering sparrows Annual >1000 birdsestimated50% Savannah, 20% Swamp,10% Vesper, 10% Song,and 10% othersData provided by Celeste Shitama (University of Florida) and Steve Nesbitt (Florida Fish and Wildlife ConservationCommission)OTHER RESOURCES: none known.THREATS: *habitat succession, human disturbance, exotic plantsCONSERVATION ISSUES: The site is below the 100-year floodplain and no development will bepermitted. Kanapaha Prairie is under consideration for public acquisition by the Alachua CountyForever program.NOMINATED BY: Celeste Shitama (University of Florida) and Stephen Nesbitt (Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission)