The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 137COASTAL PASCOBelcher Mines Park (200 acres; 80 ha), Fillman Bayou Preserve (607 acres; 242 ha), Robert K. ReesCounty Park (52 acres; 21 ha), Key Vista Nature Park (103 acres; 41 ha), Robert CrownWilderness Area (350 acres; 140 ha), Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary property (300 acres; 120 ha),Werner–Boyce Salt Springs State Park (3682 acres; 1472 ha), and adjacent, private coastalpropertiesPasco County>5894 acres (>2357 ha), with 5294 acres (2117 ha) acquiredLOCATION: several sites between the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Highway 19 in western Pasco County.Near the Chassahowitzka–Weekiwachee IBA to the north.DESCRIPTION: virtually all remaining tidal and adjacent upland habitats in Pasco County, one of thefastest-growing counties in Florida. Most sites are tidal marshes; most uplands have already beendeveloped or are planned for development. Fortunately, most of the sites within this IBA are ownedby a public or conservation agency. Werner–Boyce Salt Springs State Park and adjacent propertiespreserve a large coastal area in the Bayonet Point–Port Richey area.OWNERSHIP: Florida Division of Recreation and Parks (Werner–Boyce Salt Springs State Park, RobertCrown Wilderness Area), Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department (Key Vista Nature Park,Robert K. Rees County Park), City of New Port Richey (Robert K. Rees County Park), The NatureConservancy (Fillman Bayou Preserve), Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary [permission sought] (____),private owners (many sites).HABITATS: *mangrove forest, *tidal marsh, *estuarine, slash pine flatwoods, sandhills, temperatehammock, xeric oak scrub, sand pine scrub, cypress swamp, freshwater marsh, cattail marsh,sawgrass marsh, riverine, lacustrine, artificial beach, salt barrens, artificialLAND USE: *conservation, recreation, private landsIBA CATEGORIES: significant numbers of Neotropical migrants; complete diversity of tidal marshes; andsignificant natural habitatsAVIAN DATA: Varied habitats within this IBA support several groups of coastal birds. Most important byfar are the extensive needlerush marshes that contain breeding populations of Marsh Wrens andSeaside Sparrows, and presumably a breeding population of Black Rails. These marshes represent thesouthernmost breeding areas known for these three species along the Gulf coast of Florida. The sizesof the populations are not known, but future surveys may document that at least some are significant.Clapper Rails are common year-round. Extensive mudflats at low tide support large numbers ofwading birds, shorebirds, and larids. Mangroves support breeding Gray Kingbirds and PrairieWarblers. In May 2001, large numbers of Neotropical migrants, primarily wood-warblers, were foundat Green Key, and this site supported large flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers in November 2001.