The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 166Saddle Creek County Park:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSSwallow-tailed Kite 9 Aug 1996 33 birds 2% (N)Northern Parula 31 Jul 1997 71 birds (B)Black-throated Blue Warbler 16 Oct 1999 >30 birds (N)American Redstart 5–6 Oct 1996 105 birds (N)Ovenbird 26 Sep 1998 42 birds (N)Wood-warbler diversityOverall diversity33 species140 natives4 exoticsObservations of Brian Ahern, Larry Albright, Paul Fellers, Chuck Geanangel, and Pete Timmer published inFlorida Field Naturalist; list compiled by Tom PalmerTenoroc Fish Management Area:SPECIES DATES NUMBERS COMMENTSGlossy Ibis Nov 1983Sep 198455 birds62 birds1% (N)1% (N)Overall diversity Nov 1983–Sep 1984 152 natives3 exoticsData compiled by Charles Geanangel (Lake Region Audubon Society)OTHER RESOURCES: Some Indian artifacts have been found, but since most of the properties have beenstrip-mined, most of the cultural and historical resources have been destroyed. Fossils are abundant increek and river beds.THREATS: *development (of privately owned sites), human disturbance, exotic plantsCONSERVATION ISSUES: Most of this IBA is in public ownership, but private lands are threatened byresidential development. “Old Florida Plantation” is a 4700-unit residential development that recentlywas approved on mined lands along the southern shore of Lake Hancock. • what about disturbanceand exotic plants? • In 2001, Polk County and the Southwest Florida Water Management Districtjointly purchased a ranch on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, now known as Circle B BarPreserve. Part of the management plan involves rehydrating drained wetlands along Banana Creek.Since public acquisition, the Preserve has attracted large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds, aphenomenal change in less than a year. • About 1565 acres (626 ha) of land, primarily surroundingLake Hancock, remain to be acquired publicly. Only 3 of 28 Osprey nests in June 1998 containedyoung; the causes of this apparently low nesting success deserve study.NOMINATED BY: Tom PalmerREFERENCE: +Edelson, N.A., and M.W. Collopy. 1990. Foraging ecology of wading birds using analtered landscape in central Florida. Final report to Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. Bartow,FL.