The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 143DISNEY WILDERNESS PRESERVEOsceola and Polk counties11,498 acres (4599 ha)LOCATION: in northwestern Osceola County and northeastern Polk County, south of Kissimmee and eastof Haines City. The Preserve is bordered by Lake Russell to the north, Reedy Creek to the east, LakeHatchineha to the south, and private lands (sought for public acquisition) to the west. The Lake WalesRidge IBA is across Lake Hatchineha to the southwest.DESCRIPTION: a magnificent expanse of longleaf pine flatwoods, xeric oak scrub, cypress domes, andother habitats along the north shore of Lake Hatchineha. Planned as a massive development, theproperty instead was established in 1992 as an offsite mitigation area for development by the WaltDisney Company. Additional acreage has been added to mitigate for expanded development atOrlando International Airport.OWNERSHIP: The Nature ConservancyHABITATS: *longleaf pine flatwoods, *xeric oak scrub, *cypress swamp, *lacustrine, temperatehammock, dry prairie, fields, non-native pastures, hardwood swamp, bayhead, freshwater marsh,riverineLAND USE: *conservation, environmental research and educationIBA CATEGORIES: significant populations of Endangered, Threatened, FCREPA, and Watch Listspecies; and significant natural habitatsAVIAN DATA: The preserve contains high-quality longleaf flatwoods that formerly supported RedcockadedWoodpeckers and may be suitable for relocation in the future. The flatwoods still containlarge numbers of Brown-headed Nuthatches and Bachman's' Sparrows. The Preserve also contains apopulation of Florida Scrub-Jays that has declined severely in recent years, but is expected to recover.SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSWood Stork spring 1999 >60 nests 1% (B)Osprey spring 2000 >50 nests 3% (B)Bald Eagle spring 1999 16 pairs 1% (B)“Florida” Sandhill Crane Jun 2000 13 pairs