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 158Kissimmee River:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSGreat Egret Nov 1998 584 birds (N)White Ibis Nov 1997 7388 birds (N)Glossy Ibis Dec 1998 212 birds (N)Waterfowl 1949–1950 to 1956–195720,000–25,000 birds of19 speciesIncludes the entire KissimmeeRiver basin, with about 20% ofthese occurring within the riverfloodplain (W)Bald Eagle 1962–1971 23 nests annually >1% (B)Crested Caracara 1996–1997 15 pairs annually 7% (R)Long-term research Since the 1950s Water bird monitoringOverall diversity____ natives____ exoticsWaterfowl data from +Toth (1993), caracara data from +Morrison (1996, 1997), all other data provided by StefaniMelvin (South Florida Water Management District). See also +Melvin (2001).Lake Kissimmee:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSBald Eagle1998–1999 and1999–200017 nests 1% (B); excludes 11 other nests along thewest side of Lake Kissimmee (10), and nearthe Kissimmee River (1) that are within theAvon Park Air Force Range–BombingSnail Kite 1981–1985 mean of 17 birds(range of 4–38)Range Ridge IBAmean of 5% of then-current numbers (rangeof 1–9%) (N)Eagle GIS coverage provided by Julia Dodge (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), kite data from+Rodgers et al. (1988)Lake Kissimmee State Park:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSSnail Kite 11 Aug 1999 >10 birds 1% (N)Crested Caracara 1999 >5 birds 1% (R)Overall diversity Undated list 169 natives2 exoticsData provided by Erik Egensteiner (Florida Division of Recreation and Parks)OTHER RESOURCES: The Kissimmee River historically served as a major commercial waterwaybetween the Kissimmee chain of lakes and Lake Okeechobee. It was a culturally important areaduring the 1800s, and several historical points of interest remain. The Lockett Estate and an Indianmound on the property have been preserved as a historical site. Fort Basinger and Fort Kissimmee,both built during the Seminole Indian Wars, are located on the river. Lake Kissimmee: ____. LakeKissimmee State Park: Several listed plants occur onsite, such as ♦garberia (Garberiaheterophylla), ♦Catesby's lily (Lilium catesbaei), ♦cutthroatgrass (Panicum abscissum), ♦yellowfloweredbutterwort (Pinguicula lutea), ♦giant orchid (Pteroglossapsis ecristata), ♦common wildpine (Tillandsia fasciculata), and ♦Atamasco lily (Zephyranthus atamasco).THREATS: Kissimmee River: *exotic plants, *altered hydrology (river channelization). LakeKissimmee: ____. Lake Kissimmee State Park: *feral hogs, human disturbance, exotic plants
The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 159CONSERVATION ISSUES: Kissimmee River: The River and its floodplain represented a uniqueecosystem because the floodplain was inundated for much of the year. Extensive floodplain marshesflanked by wet prairies and temperate hammocks supported a large and diverse bird community,including several listed species and large numbers of wading birds and waterfowl +(NAS 1936–1959,+Perrin et al. 1982). The entire length of the Kissimmee River was channelized into a canal for floodprotection and land reclamation between 1962 and 1970. The biological impacts of channelizationwere severe: 35 miles (56 km) of river channel were destroyed, 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) offloodplain were drained and converted mostly to pasture, waterfowl use declined 92%, and BaldEagle territories along the river declined 74%. • A comprehensive plan to restore the KissimmeeRiver has begun. Phase 1 of the restoration—backfilling 7.5 miles (12 km) of canal, restoring 15miles (24 km) of river channel habitat, and reflooding 11,132 acres (4453 ha) of floodplainwetlands—was completed in February 2001. The initial response by birds was phenomenal and isexpected to increase as the prey base in the reflooded wetlands returns. • Future phases of restorationwill be completed by 2001. Total restoration involves recreating (___ square miles) 104 square km ofriver–floodplain habitats, restoring 26,820 acres (10,728 ha) of floodplain wetlands, restoring 43miles (69 km) of original river channel, and improving habitats for more than 320 species of wildlife.The restored river channel is expected to support >10,000 wading birds, with at least 2000 breedingpairs anticipated. A significant increase in wintering waterfowl already has been observed in therestored section of the river. • The primary goal of restoration is to establish a self-sustaining river–floodplain ecosystem. An adaptive management plan for the restored Kissimmee River system isproposed to perpetuate ecosystem health and function. Lake Kissimmee: ____. Lake KissimmeeState Park: The park is managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks. An active prescribedburning program is in place. • A recent acquisition of 850 acres (340 ha) was added along the northshore of Lake Rosalie. The habitat is cattle pasture–marsh that will continue to be grazed in the shortterm,but will be restored to wetlands eventually by removing ditches and replanting with nativevegetation.NOMINATED BY: Kissimmee River: Stefani Melvin (South Florida Water Management District), LakeKissimmee: _____, Lake Kissimmee State Park: Erik Egensteiner (Florida Division of Recreationand Parks)REFERENCES: +Melvin, S.L. 2001. Waterbird use of a hydrologically altered river system. Florida FieldNaturalist 29: 1–12. • +Morrison, J.L. 1996. Distribution and habitat use of Audubon's CrestedCaracara (Caracara plancus audubonii) within the Kissimmee River restoration project area. Finalreport to South Florida Water Management District, Project PC P601833. West Palm Beach, FL. •+Morrison, J.L. 1997. Distribution and habitat use of Audubon's Crested Caracara (Caracara plancusaudubonii) within the Kissimmee River restoration project area. Final report to South Florida WaterManagement District, Project PC P703067. West Palm Beach, FL. • +NAS. 1936–1959. Audubonwarden field reports. National Audubon Society. Everglades National Park. Homestead, FL. •+Perrin, L., M.J. Allen, L.A. Rowse, F. Montalbano, III, K.J. Foote, and M.W. Olinde. 1982. A reporton fish and wildlife studies in the Kissimmee River basin and recommendations for restoration.Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Okeechobee, FL. • +Rodgers, J.A., Jr., S.T.Schwikert, and A.S. Wenner. 1988. Status of the Snail Kite in Florida: 1981–1985. American Birds42: 30–35. • +Toth, L.A. 1993. The ecological basis of the Kissimmee River restoration plan. FloridaScientist 56: 25–51.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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