The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 121BUCK ISLAND RANCHHighlands County10,300 acres (4120 ha)LOCATION: in southeastern Highlands County, south of State Road 70, west and north of the HarneyPond Canal, and east to the Glades County line. Contiguous with the Fisheating Creek WatershedIBA to the south, and east of portions of the Lake Wales Ridge IBA.DESCRIPTION: a cattle ranch within the Istokpoga-Indian Prairie region, formerly a mixed wet and dryprairie ecosystem between Lake Istokpoga and Lake Okeechobee, but now mostly drained. Cattleranches were the dominant use of the land until recently, but citrus groves, a far less compatible use,have begun to invade the prairie to a great extent, which threatens the continued survival of mostnative species in the region. Buck Island Ranch is owned by the MacArthur Foundation, but has beenleased to Archbold Biological Station for 30 years (beginning in 1989) to study the effects ofranching and citrus production on the ecosystem. The ranch is now also known as the MacArthurAgro-Ecology Research Center. [visitation?]OWNERSHIP: John D. and Katharine T. MacArthur Foundation, leased to Archbold Biological Station forlong-term studyHABITATS: *non-native pasture, *“semi-native wet–dry prairie,” *freshwater marsh, temperatehammock, agricultural fields, citrus groves, sawgrass marsh, lacustrine, artificialLAND USE: *grazing, *long-term agro-ecology research, conservation, recreation, hunting (6 hunters peryear), cabbage palm harvesting (embryonic fronds are edible), citrus productionIBA CATEGORIES: significant populations of Threatened, Special Concern, and FCREPA species;complete diversity of Indian Prairie species; significant natural habitats; and long-term researchAVIAN DATA: The ranch supports all known birds of the Istokpoga-Indian Prairie ecosystem, includingMottled Duck, King Rail, Sandhill Crane, White-tailed Kite, Crested Caracara, and Burrowing Owl. Itis also an important site for Sedge Wrens, sparrows, and other wintering species.SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSWhite Ibis Sporadic >500 birds 1% (N)“Florida” Sandhill Crane May 2001 6 pairs 66 birds3% (R)Single roost; >10% (N)American Kestrel Oct–Mar 1996–2000 >70 birds (W)Barred Owl 1995–2000 15 pairs (R)Burrowing Owl May 2001 4–6 pairs 190 birds (W)Sedge Wren Jan–Feb 1998 160 birds in 210point count surveys(W); most numerous species inpastures and semi-native prairiesLoggerhead Shrike 2001 >30 pairs (R)Savannah Sparrow Jan–Feb 1998 136 birds in 210point count surveys(W); third most numerous speciesin pastures and semi-native prairiesEastern Meadowlark Jan–Feb 1998 159 birds in 210point count surveys(R); second most numerous speciesin pastures and semi-native prairiesLong-term research since 1990 Agro-ecology studiesOverall diversity ____ list 156 natives5 exotics