The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 138SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSRoseate Spoonbill 19 Aug 2001 48 juveniles (W)Black Skimmer 5 Nov 2001 189 birds (W)Black Rail 15 Mar 199810 Aug 199929 Dec 20002 birds2 birds2 birdsall in different parts of the statepark; undoubtedly others arepresent (R)“Marian's” Marsh Wren Resident common (R)Black-and-white Warbler 3–9 May* mean of 15 birds(M)(range of 7–40)Blackpoll Warbler 3–9 May* mean of 101 birds(M)(range of 46–253)Black-throated Blue Warbler 3–9 May* mean of 28 birds(M)(range of 7–67)American Redstart 3–9 May* mean of 94 birds(M)Neotropical Migrants (mostlywood-warblers that could nor beidentified to species)Yellow-rumped Warbler(range of 44–208)3–9 May* mean of 1146 birds(range of 573–1619)23–25, 27, and mean of 821 birdsdawn roost survey (M)29–30 Nov 2001 (range of 359–1208)“Scott's” Seaside Sparrow Resident uncommon (R)Overall diversity May 2001 list 203 natives5 exoticsRail, wren, and sparrow data from Bill Pranty (Audubon of Florida), all other data provided by Ken Tracey (WestPasco Audubon Society), much of it published in Florida Field Naturalist and North American Birds. See also+Pranty et al. (in prep.). *2.5-hour count periods from dawn to 0900.OTHER RESOURCES: There are a number of Indian middens south of the Pithlachascotee River(especially around Bailey's Bluff), but those on private lands have been (or eventually will be)developed, and those at Key Vista Nature Park have been subjected to looting for several years.THREATS: *development, *exotic plantsCONSERVATION ISSUES: This IBA contains virtually all undeveloped coastal acreage in Pasco County.Most of these coastal areas are protected as parks or preserves, but some properties, especially thosecontaining uplands, remain in private ownership. Development of some of the unprotected sites is asevere threat; 500 acres (200 ha) of mixed sand pine scrub and sandhill immediately east of KeyVista Nature Park were destroyed in mid–2000 for a new subdivision. The 400 acre (160 ha) MicklerRanch, immediately south of this site, and the last significant upland property remaining in coastalsouthwestern Pasco County, was sold in October 2001 to a developer who intends to build 800homes. All other private properties within this IBA, even those away from high-growth areas, almostcertainly will be similarly destroyed if not publicly purchased soon. (A Florida Forever project topreserve some of the coastal sites in Pasco County was not accepted in 2001; perhaps this proposalwill be resubmitted in 2002). • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has attempted to purchase 600-acre (240-ha) site south of Green Key, but the owner (a developer), was refused to sell; the ultimatedisposition of the property uncertain.NOMINATED BY: Ken Tracey (West Pasco Audubon) and Bill Pranty (Audubon of Florida)REFERENCE: +Pranty, B., D.J. Robinson, M.E. Barnwell, and C. Black. In prep. Reports of Black Railsalong the central Florida Gulf coast, based on cursory surveys in 1998.WEBSITE: (M)