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 164All data except overall diversity are observations of Harry Robinson (database maintained by Bill Pranty, Audubonof Florida); see +Robinson [2001 and 2002]. See also +Pranty and Basili (1998, 1999) and +Pranty et al. (in press)OTHER RESOURCES: There apparently are potentially significant cultural sites along the eastern edge ofthe Restoration Area.THREATS: *altered hydrology (deep-flooding of the fields), *pesticide residues in the soil, exotic plantsCONSERVATION ISSUES: Pesticide residues present in the soils apparently caused a die-off of large fisheatingbirds (500 onsite and perhaps a similar number offsite), mostly American White Pelicans,beginning in November 1998 +(USFWS 1999a, +Pranty and Basili 1999). All fields were drained byFebruary 1999 and have remained unflooded. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting aninvestigation of the die-off. It is anticipated that the pesticide residues eventually will be removed orwill dissipate, and the area can again be managed for wading birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, andnumerous other species, but the Fish and Wildlife Service controls all access and activities while itsinvestigation continues. Extensive sampling was conducted in summer 1999 to determine the extentand severity of the pesticide residues present. • Management plans to flood portions of the area forshorebirds and other species have been put on hold until results of the sampling are known. • AMarsh Flow-Way is being constructed in the westernmost 5000 acres (2000 ha) to filter phosphorusand suspended sediments from Lake Apopka. It is expected to be operational by 2003. • The initialmanagement plan, to reconnect the fields to Lake Apopka by breaching selected dikes and levees,would have flooded the fields with more than 4 feet (1.2 m) of water. This would have eliminated allbird foraging and roosting habitats onsite. The revised management plan, prepared by the formerFlorida Audubon Society +(Pranty and Basili 1998) and embraced in concept by the St. Johns RiverWater Management District and Natural Resource Conservation Service, includes managing at least2000 acres (800 ha) as shallowly flooded fields to support migratory shorebirds, wintering waterfowland other species, and resident wading birds. • A small pasture in the extreme western portion of theArea is being restored to longleaf pines.Hunting, dogs, airboats, and other sources of disturbance to birds should be prohibited within theRestoration Area once the site is returned to public use.NOMINATED BY: Bill Pranty (Audubon of Florida)REVIEWED BY: Gian Basili and Joy Marburger (St. Johns River Water Management District)REFERENCES: +Pranty, B., and G.D. Basili. 1998. Bird use of agricultural fields at Lake Apopka,Florida, with recommendations for the management of migratory shorebirds and other species.Florida Audubon Society. Winter Park, FL. • +Pranty, B., and G.[D.] Basili. 1999. Zellwood, birds,and the ghosts of banned pesticides. Florida Naturalist 72(3): 10–13. • +Pranty, B., G.D. Basili, andH.P. Robinson. In press (2002). First nesting record of the Dickcissel in Florida. Florida FieldNaturalist 30: ____ • Robinson, H. [2001]. Bird report, Zellwood Drainage and Water ControlDistrict, Unit 1, Unit 2, and the Zellwin Sand Farm Property at Zellwood, Florida. August 15, 1998–August 14, 1999. Submitted to St. Johns River Water Management District. Palatka, FL. • Robinson,H. [2002]. Bird usage of Lake Apopka’s North Shore Restoration Area, Zellwood Drainage andWater Control District, Unit 1, Unit 2, and the Zellwin Sand Farm Property at Zellwood, Florida.August 15, 1999–August 14, 2000. Submitted to St. Johns River Water Management District. Palatka,FL. • +USFWS. 1999a. Organochlorines are preliminary cause of death in birds and fish near LakeApopka, Florida. Press release No. R99-022, 17 February 1999. United States Fish and WildlifeService, Atlanta, GA.WEBSITE:
The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 165LAKE HANCOCK–UPPER PEACE RIVERCircle B Bar Preserve (1275 acres; 510 ha), Fort Meade Recreation Area (817 acres; 326 ha), IMC–Agrico Peace River Park (440 acres; 176 ha), Lake Hancock (4553 acres; 1821 ha), Saddle CreekCounty Park (700 acres; 280 ha), Saddle Creek Sanctuary (315 acres; 126 ha), Tenoroc FishManagement Area (7364 acres; 2945 ha), and several properties under consideration for publicacquisitionPolk County17,029 acres (6811 ha), with 15,464 acres (6185 ha) in public ownershipLOCATION: in western Polk County, east of Lakeland south to Fort Meade.DESCRIPTION: several existing and proposed conservation areas in the heart of the phosphate miningdistrict; portions of many of the sites are reclaimed mined lands. Lake Hancock is one of the largestlakes in the state, and the Peace River, which forms near the south end of the lake, empties intoCharlotte Harbor. The number of visitors to the publicly owned sites is not known, but is estimated tobe >10,000 recreationists annually to Saddle Creek County Park. Lake Hancock receives relativelylittle boat traffic due to poor public access.OWNERSHIP: State of Florida (Lake Hancock), Florida Division of Wildlife (Tenoroc Fish ManagementArea), Southwest Florida Water Management District (Circle B Bar Preserve), Polk County Parks andRecreation Department (IMC–Agrico Peace River Park and Saddle Creek County Park), Audubon ofFlorida (Saddle Creek Sanctuary), City of Fort Meade (Fort Meade Recreation Area), and privateownersHABITATS: *riverine, *lacustrine, *artificial (mined lands), pine flatwoods, temperate hammock, fields,cypress swamp, freshwater marsh, cattail marshLAND USE: *conservation, recreation, grazing, private landsIBA CATEGORIES: significant populations of Special Concern and FCREPA species; significantnumbers of breeding wading birds; and significant numbers or diversity of Neotropical migrants.AVIAN DATA: Rookeries along the shore of Lake Hancock support significant numbers of wading birdsand Ospreys, while the uplands are most important to Neotropical migrants. Saddle Creek CountyPark is one of the most well-known fall-migrant birding sites in Florida.Lake Hancock (and surrounding areas):SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSGreat Egret 1988 112 pairs
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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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The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

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