The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

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The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 130Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSWATERFOWL?Overall diversity ____ list 258 natives7 exoticsWeekiwachee Preserve:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSBlack Rail Mar–May 1998 18 birds Previously unknown population (R)Yellow-rumped Warbler 19 Dec 2001 2400 birds (W)Overall diversity 1995–2000 210 natives5 exoticsBlack Rail data from +Pranty et al. (in prep.), warbler data gathered by Paul Young et al. on the Aripeka–BayportCBC, checklist data from +SWFWMD (2000), based largely on data gathered by members of Hernando AudubonSociety, especially Al and Bev Hansen, Clay Black, and Paul Young.Both sites combined:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSBald Eagle 1998–1999 and 1999–11 nests 1% (B)2000GIS coverage provided by Julia Dodge (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)OTHER RESOURCES: Along with the Crystal River Marshes IBA, this IBA protects virtually the entirecoastlines and associated uplands of Citrus and Hernando counties, including dozens of offshoreislands. (Additional lands have been targeted for purchase in Pasco County, but acquisition in thisarea has not yet begun). This IBA is essential to sustain a population of black bears in coastal westcentralFlorida; the bears are monitored via radio telemetry. Vehicle mortality continues to threatenthe long-term survival of this population. Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge: _____ •Weekiwachee Preserve protects four miles (6.4 km) of frontage along the southern shore of theWeekiwachee River, which is used regularly by Florida manatees. • The Preserve supports at least 68species of butterflies, 14 species of listed plants, and 7 non-avian vertebrates. • Severalarchaeological sites are known.THREATS: Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge: _____. Weekiwachee Preserve: offsitedevelopment, human disturbance, exotic plantsCONSERVATION ISSUES: Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge: _____. Weekiwachee Preserve:A management plan (Kelly et al. 1997) has been prepared. The Preserve is designated as “urbanfringe parkland,” and management for public recreation will be balanced with protection of wildlifesuch as black bears. About 560 acres (224 ha) of the property consist of disturbed areas surrounding500 acres (200 ha) of pits from which limerock was extracted. These pits are 40–60 feet (12–18 m)deep, have a limited shoreline, and are relatively sterile. Future recreational use of the Preserve willbe centered around this area to minimize disturbance to native habitats. However, about 200 acres (80ha) of the disturbed area is used by breeding Wilson's Plovers and Least Terns. This area is adesignated Research Area and is off-limits to the public at all times. • Frontage along theWeekiwachee River will be managed as a Special Protection Area where development will beprohibited, and to which access will be solely on foot. • About 18% of the Preserve consists of fire-
The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 131maintained uplands, which will be prescribed-burned on a regular rotation. • Salt marshes will beprescribed-burned in small units on a 5–6 year rotation. • Exotic plants present onsite includeBrazilian pepper, cogongrass, ♦air-potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), and ♦skunkvine (Paederia foetida).These are controlled when encountered, and the perimeter of the Preserve is monitored for additionalexotics invading from adjacent areas. • Damage from feral hogs appears to be “minimal;” specialhunts will be considered if needed to reduce the hog population. • Pine plantations comprise only 54acres (21 ha) of the Preserve; these will be thinned and replanted with native species. • Black Railhabitat is the uppermost portion of the salt marsh, in areas not affected by tides. This habitat appearsto be regarded as an “upland” habitat, because numerous houses in developments immediately northand south of the site have been built up to the wet areas of the salt marsh (i.e., beyond, and clearly ontop of, the Black Rail habitat). • An attempt was made in 1998 to build a college campus in thePreserve, but this was defeated. Development clearly is an incompatible land use of a preserve. •Continuing regional development surrounding Weekiwachee Preserve may destroy the habitat link toconservation lands in Pasco County, to the south. In October 2001, two black bear cubs were killedwhile crossing a road bordering the Preserve.NOMINATED BY: Bill Pranty (Audubon of Florida) and ____REVIEWED BY: Clay Black (Southwest Florida Water Management District) and Bev Hansen (HernandoAudubon Society)REFERENCES: +Kelly, E.M., J. Robertshaw, and M. Barnwell. 1997. Plan for the use and management ofthe Weekiwachee Preserve. Southwest Florida Water Management District. Brooksville, FL. •+Pranty, B., D. Robinson, M. Barnwell, and C. Black. In prep. Reports of Black Rails along thecentral Gulf coast, based upon cursory surveys in 1998. • +SWFWMD. 2000. Field checklist of thebirds of the Weekiwachee Preserve. Southwest Florida Water Management District. Brooksville, FL.WEBSITES: ,,
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MemorandumBill Pranty, Florida IBA
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The Important Bird Areas of Florida
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THE IMPORTANTBIRD AREAS OFFLORIDA:
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(25) *pickerelweed (Pontedaria cord
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“Southeastern” American Kestrel
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Purple Martin (Progne subis)Tree Sw
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