The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 155of 155–360)(B)Roseate Spoonbill 1999–2001 mean of 133 pairs (rangeof 125–145)mean of 13% (range of 12–14%)(B)Wading birds 1999–2001 mean of 6063 pairs (range(B)of 5489–6800)Diversity of colonial waterbirds1999–2001 16–17 species One of the two most diversebreeding colonies in FloridaAmerican Oystercatcher 1999–2001 mean of 15% (range of mean of 3% (range of 3–4%); (B)13–18)Shorebirds Nov–Dec 1993 >1000 birds (W)Shorebird data from +Sprandel et al. (1997), other data provided by Ann and Rich Paul (Audubon of Florida).Islands 2D and 3D:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSWilson's Plover 2000 3 pairs 1% (B)American Oystercatcher 1998–2001 mean of 51 pairs (range of48–53)mean of 12% (range of 12–13%);(B)Shorebirds Nov–Dec 1993 >2000 birds (W)Laughing Gull 1998–2001 mean of 6375 (range of5200–8200)mean of 27% (range of 22–35%);(B)Gull-billed Tern May 2001 7 pairs 12% (B)Caspian Tern 1998–2001 mean of 87 pairs (range of75–102)mean of 26% (range of 23–31%);(B)Royal Tern 1998–2001 mean of 317 pairs (rangeof 93–765)mean of 5% (range of 1–14%);(B)Sandwich Tern 1998–2001 mean of 100 pairs (rangeof 50–180)mean of 12% (range of 6–22%);(B)Black Skimmer 1998–2001 mean of 258 pairs (rangeof 160–360)mean of 16 (range of 10–22%);(B)Shorebird data from +Sprandel et al. (1997), other data provided by Ann and Rich Paul (Audubon of Florida).OTHER RESOURCES: none knownTHREATS: *offsite development, *human disturbance, *exotic plants, *erosion, *raccoons, *discardedmonofilament fishing lineCONSERVATION ISSUES: Alafia Bank: the islands are posted and patrolled to control human access. •Bird populations are monitored annually • Raccoons are removed to prevent disruption orabandonment of the nesting colony • Removal of monofilament fishing line is conducted seasonally.• Erosion is controlled by occasional planting of shoreline vegetation by Audubon staff andvolunteers. • The size of the islands are increased periodically from dredging projects. • Exotic plantse.g., Brazilian pepper, ♦white leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala) and ♦carrotwood (Cupaniopsisanacardioides) are controlled as needed. • Islands 2D and 3D: the Islands are seasonally posted andpatrolled to protect nesting birds from human disturbance. More recently, the islands will soon beclosed year-round for security reasons. • A “Migratory Bird Protection Committee” meets twice ayear to anticipate dredging needs and to avoid nesting birds • Long-term management andreconstruction of the islands remains an issue • The upland portions of the islands are infested withexotic plants, especially lead tree and Brazilian pepper, with some control performed by Audubonstaff.NOMINATED BY: Ann and Rich Paul (Audubon of Florida)REFERENCE: +Sprandel, G.L., J.A. Gore, and D.T. Cobb. 1997. Winter shorebird survey. Finalperformance report. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Tallahassee, FL.