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 160KISSIMMEE PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE PARKOkeechobee and Osceola counties54,000 acres (21,600 ha)LOCATION: along the eastern shore of the Kissimmee River in extreme southwestern Osceola County andnorthwestern Okeechobee County, forming an area roughly 7 miles (11.2 km) north to south and 10–14 miles (16–22.4 km) east to west. Adjacent to the Kissimmee Lake and River IBA to the west, andacross the Kissimmee River from the Avon Park Air Force Range–Bombing Range Ridge IBA to thewest.DESCRIPTION: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park contains the largest contiguous expanse of highqualitydry prairie (a habitat endemic to central Florida) remaining. Most of the property remains asoriginal native prairie. Cattle graze 5000 acres (2000 ha) of non-native pastures, recreation is passive,and hunting is prohibited. Over 8.5 miles (13.6 km) of the soon-to-be-restored Kissimmee River formthe western boundary of the State Park The Park receives ____ recreationists annually.OWNERSHIP: Florida Division of Recreation and ParksHABITATS: *dry prairie (>21,885 acres; >8754 ha), *freshwater marsh (12,887 acres; 5154 ha), *wetprairie (8481 acres; 3392 ha), temperate hammock (1071 acres; 428 ha), xeric oak scrub (721 acres;288 ha), non-native pasture (5479 acres; 2191 ha), swale (2137 acres; 854 ha), riverineLAND USE: *conservation, recreation, grazingIBA CATEGORIES: significant populations of Endangered, Threatened, FCREPA, and Watch Listspecies; significant numbers of wading birds; complete diversity of dry prairie species; and significantnatural habitatsAVIAN DATA: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park probably supports the largest remaining populationof “Florida” Grasshopper Sparrows, and contains other species of dry prairies, such as MottledDucks, Sandhill Cranes (both subspecies), White-tailed Kites, Crested Caracaras, Burrowing Owls,and Bachman's Sparrows. Several groups of Florida Scrub-Jays occur in patches of “prairie scrub,”and Whooping Cranes have been observed. The Park also contains two wading bird rookeries thattotal about 800 pairs. The Park may have great conservation value to wintering sparrows.SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSBlack-crowned Night-Heron summer 2001 >75 pairs (B)Crested Caracara 1997–2001 “several” pairs >1% (R)“Florida” Sandhill Crane 2000–2001 >15 pairs 1% (R)“Greater” Sandhill Crane 2000–2001 100s of birds >1% (W)Burrowing Owl 2000–2001 >25 pairs
The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 161densities across native range. Higher densities of cattle grazed pastures. Just under 7000 acres (2800ha) previously owned and managed by the National Audubon Society (Ordway-Whittell KissimmeePrairie Sanctuary) were sold to the State in November 2001; profits will fund future management andresearch activities. • Restoration activities have targeted restoring the hydrology within the 54,000public acres (21,600 ha) and on adjacent private lands. Within the past year, over 73 miles (116 km)of ditches and canals at the State Park have been back-filled, and restoration efforts will continue.Cattle grazing still occurs on pastures, including some areas occupied by “Florida” GrasshopperSparrows; the impacts of grazing on these endangered sparrows deserves study. • Prescribed fire isused to replace natural fires. A short (2 to 3 years) growing-season fire interval is being used to keepdry prairie habitat suitable for “Florida” Grasshopper Sparrows. Since 1997 when the State acquiredthe majority of the land, over 90% of the park has been burned. A portion of more recently acquiredland still needs prescribed fire to restore prairie conditions. • Future plans for recreation in the parkinclude campgrounds and guided wildlife observation tours. The State Park provides viewsuninterrupted by manmade features across miles of dry prairie landscape. Views up to 6 miles (9.6km) are common. The State Park is a premier site for nature photography. • The park has experiencedgreat success in the removal of feral hogs, and removal efforts will continue.NOMINATED BY: Parks Small (Florida Division of Recreation and Parks) and Bill Pranty (Audubon ofFlorida)REVIEWED BY: Paul Gray (Audubon of Florida)WEBSITE:
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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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