A Plan for Monitoring Shorebirds During the Non-breeding ...
A Plan for Monitoring Shorebirds During the Non-breeding Season in Bird Monitoring Region Florida - BCR 31
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Prepared by:
Starr Nicely
Version *.*
2003
Updated 2008
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Methods 5
Results - Shorebirds 7
Site Descriptions 8
Anastasia State Park 8
Matanzas River 10
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 11
Lake Okeechobee 13
Belle Glade Agricultural Fields 15
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge 17
Cape Romano / Marco Island 19
Little Estero Island 21
San Carlos Bay / Bunche Beach Preserve 23
J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge 25
Cayo Costa State Park 27
Stump Pass Beach State Park 29
Polk County Phosphate Mines 31
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge 33
Egmont Key 35
Tampa Bay 37
Fort De Soto Park 40
Shell Key Preserve 42
Caladesi Island State Park 45
Honeymoon Island State Park 47
Three Rooker Island 49
Fred Howard Park 51
Anclote Key Preserve State Park and Anclote Bar 53
Lake Apopka Restoration Area 55
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge 57
Key West National Wildlife Refuge / Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge 59
Everglades National Park 61
References 63
Introduction
The bird conservation initiatives - waterbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and landbirds - are cooperating to design a comprehensive “integrated bird monitoring” (IBM) program for Canada and the United States. The conceptual framework for IBM (Fig. 1) includes strong emphasis on detecting species at risk and helping to protect them. These broad goals are achieved by estimating population trends and defining requirements for viable populations. These objectives in turn are accomplished by population modeling based on population levels, demographic rates and habitat information. Population trends are estimated by surveying breeding populations whenever possible, and by surveying the species for which this is not feasible at other times of year. Surveys of all species are made throughout the year to help identify and monitor use of suitable habitat.
Figure 1. Conceptual framework for integrated bird monitoring.
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Most surveys in upland habitats are designed at a large spatial scale (e.g., southern Canada and the United States) and do not require detailed information at the local level. Surveys of wetland habitats, in contrast, must be carefully designed to insure that the habitat is well covered, and different methods may be needed in different environments. A series of “regional assessments” is thus being prepared to help design the wetland surveys. Regions were formed by intersecting a Bird Conservation Region (BCR) map with a Province and State map, deleting small polygons and smoothing the borders (Fig. 2). The resulting “Bird Monitoring Regions” can be used to scale up results to either BCRs or Provinces and States.
Figure 2. Shorebird Planning and Bird Conservation Regions in Canada and the United States.
Adapted from: USFWS-U.S. Shorebird Plan and CWS-Canadian Shorebird Conservation Plan
The regional assessments summarize current information about wetland bird distribution, abundance, habitat relationships and timing of use within the Region and identify information needed to design reliable monitoring programs. These “needed pilot studies” are then prioritized by people concerned with monitoring birds in the region and a plan is developed to carry out the work. Carrying out the pilot studies is expected to take 1-3 years. Long-term surveys will then be implemented. Additional details are provided in “Managers Monitoring Manual” available at . More information on regional progress can be found at the U.S. Shorebird Plan’s Regional Conservation Plan website ().
Methods
Focal wetland species of shorebirds were first identified. The initial list included all wetland species of shorebirds that are common or abundant at any time of year within the Region, according to Brian Harrington and based largely upon data from the International Shorebird Surveys (ISS). Sites in which any of the focal species are common or abundant at any time of year were then identified using a list prepared for this project and supplemented by information provided by birding guides, ornithologists and birders knowledgeable of the Region. Most sites were single areas, such as a National Wildlife Refuge, but dispersed sites, such as “lakes >10 ha”, could also be identified.
Figure 3. PRISM sites in BCR 13, 14, 30, 27, and 31.
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The International Shorebird Survey (ISS) provided species numbers for some of the identified sites. The ISS is a volunteer based survey initiated in 1974 by Brian Harrington. Volunteers select their survey sites and are given guidelines on census frequency and data collection for spring and fall migration. The ISS guidelines ask volunteers to survey once every 10 days from April 1st to June 10th for spring migration, and once every 10 days from July 11th to October 31st for fall migration. ISS records provided the maximum counts recorded for species where the identified site is also an ISS site.
Survey methods for sites include appropriate tide levels for surveys, if that information is available. Tide levels for surveys are based on the advice of biologists and birders with knowledge about the sites. Due to the different geography of the sites, different tide levels
are recommended to concentrate the birds for a survey. While high tide at one site may bring in birds that are spread out over an expansive area at low tide, high tide at another site may completely cover the habitat or food resources and scatter the birds elsewhere. Therefore, different tide levels may be recommended for different sites.
Additional site information may also include information about visibility. Excellent/good visibility simply means that the birds can be seen without obstruction clearly enough to identify to species, either by physically getting close enough or with a good scope or binoculars.
Maps showing land ownership, roads and wetlands were prepared for the region. Maps of each site were also prepared and information useful in designing surveys for the focal species was presented. The survey objective was assumed to be estimating the average number of birds of each focal species present within the site during a specified interval. Up to three types of habitat were described for each focal species: Type 1 habitat, outlined in purple on the maps, included regularly-used areas that should be sampled using a well-defined sampling plan. Type 2 habitat, which was outlined in red, included areas used sparingly by the focal species. Type 2 habitat is not surveyed as often or with rigorously defined methods, but is surveyed less formally every few years to document continued low use by the focal species. Type 3 habitat receives virtually no use by the focal species during the study period and is not surveyed as part of the monitoring program. Requests, however, are circulated for any records of the focal species occurring in substantial numbers in these areas.
A description of each site was prepared with the following headings:
Boundaries and ownership
Focal species using the site and timing of use
Location of type 1 and 2 habitat within the site
Access to the type 1 and 2 habitat and visibility of the birds
Past and current surveys
Potential survey methods
Description
Selection bias
Measurement error and bias
Needed pilot studies
We assume for any survey that the study area and study period (within years) have been defined. The goal of the survey was assumed to be estimating the trend, across several years, in the average number of birds present during the study period. Bias means a long-term trend in the ratio (number recorded)/(average number present). Selection bias ensues when some portion of Type 1 habitat has zero chance of being surveyed, usually due to access problems, and there is a long-term trend in the proportion of birds using the non-sampled portion. Exclusion of some Type 1 habitat does not necessarily cause selection bias because trends in the sampled areas might be the same as trends in the non-sampled areas. Anytime some portion of Type 1 habitat could not be included in the sampled areas, the potential for selection bias and ways to reduce it were discussed. Measurement error means not detecting all birds present in the surveyed area at the time of the survey. Measurement bias is a long term trend in the proportion of birds present at the time of the survey that are detected on the survey. Measurement error does not necessarily cause measurement bias because the proportion of birds detected might not change through time. Anytime measurement error was probable, its magnitude and probable stability through time were discussed along with ways to reduce the proportion of birds missed on the surveys.
Results - Shorebirds
Table 1. Focal shorebird species for BCR 31
|CODE |SPECIES |
|BBPL |Black-bellied Plover |
|SNPL |Snowy Plover |
|WIPL |Wilson’s Plover |
|SEPL |Semipalmated Plover |
|PIPL |Piping Plover |
|KILL |Killdeer |
|AMOY |American Oystercatcher |
|GRYE |Greater Yellowlegs |
|LEYE |Lesser Yellowlegs |
|SOSA |Solitary Sandpiper |
|WILL |Willet |
|SPSA |Spotted Sandpiper |
|WHIM |Whimbrel |
|LBCU |Long-billed Curlew |
|MAGO |Marbled Godwit |
|RUTU |Ruddy Turnstone |
|REKN |Red Knot |
|SAND |Sanderling |
|SESA |Semipalmated Sandpiper |
|LESA |Least Sandpiper |
|DUNL |Dunlin |
|SBDO |Short-billed Dowitcher |
|COSN |Common Snipe |
Site Descriptions
Anastasia State Park
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Description: Anastasia State Park is located opposite St. Augustine in central St. Johns County, at the northern portion of Anastasia Island and on the eastern shoreline of the Matanzas River. The park has over four miles of broad beach flanked by sand dunes and a lagoon bordered by rich tidal marshes. Type 1 habitat is located at the northern tip of the island, and Type 2 habitat is along the whole beach.
The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks owns Anastasia State Park, which is accessible by vehicle to a parking lot at the southern end of the beach. The beach is accessible by foot and limited to trails to protect the dunes.
JB Miller has been doing quarterly shorebird surveys for March, June, September, and December at Anastasia State Park since 1999. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (65), WIPL (39), SEPL (28), WILL (39), RUTU (30), REKN (5000), SAND (14-85), DUNL (113).
Survey Method: Ground survey at high tide when the birds are not too spread out to view. Begin the survey at the southern park border and continue along the sandy beach to the northern tip of the island at St. Augustine Inlet. Visibility is excellent with a spotting scope. The survey takes one to three hours to complete by vehicle, which Mr. Miller recommends to save time.
Selection Bias: Not applicable as all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: JB Miller, Biologist, Florida Division of Recreation and Parks
Matanzas River
Description: Matanzas River is located in southeastern St. Johns County, between the mainland and the barrier islands. Type 1 shorebird habitat is located along several docks located between Palmetto Avenue and Wuess Road on the eastern side of the Matanzas River on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. A great diversity of shorebirds roost on the boardwalk portion of the docks that extend over the marsh. These privately owned docks are an average of 400 to 600 feet long and can be viewed successfully from a boat ramp at the end of nearby Palmetto Avenue. Shorebirds routinely roost on three or four docks to the north of Palmetto Avenue and a dock to the south of the avenue is used to a lesser extent. Type 2 habitat is located along Matanzas Inlet where PIPL and various sandpipers can be found that are not as common in Anastasia State Park.
The most numerous species for Matanzas River based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys (ISS) are: BBPL (18), SEPL (23), WILL (23), RUTU (43), LESA (10), DUNL (163). Gian Basili has conducted some surveys and counted a diversity of 2000+ shorebirds, particularly AMOY, WHIM, MAGO, which are not accounted for in the ISS data.
Survey Method: Survey from the end of Palmetto Avenue at high tide when the shorebirds are roosting on the docks. Visibility is excellent with a spotting scope. Survey may also be conducted by a boat in the river.
Selection Bias: Not applicable as all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Gian Basili , Land Conservation Manager, St. Johns River Water Management District
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
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Description: The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located east of Titusville, Florida and shares a common boundary with the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Approximately one half of the Refuge's 140,000 acres consists of brackish estuaries and marshes. The remaining lands consist of coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests and flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks. The refuge manages water levels within its 76 impoundments (approximately 30,000 acres) for all species of migratory birds that use refuge lands, including shorebirds.
These impoundments, originally created for mosquito control purposes, eventually altered most of the salt marshes. Currently, most of these impounded marshes are being reconnected to the lagoon. Other areas are being managed as shallow water impoundments, which serve as Type 1 habitat for migrating shorebirds. The southwestern corner of Mosquito Lagoon also contains Type 1 habitat when the mud flats are exposed at low tide. Portions of Mosquito Lagoon are within the boundaries of Canaveral National Seashore. Shorebirds rarely use the remote and undeveloped beaches of the refuge.
Merritt Island NWR and the Cape Canaveral Air Station are both active rocket launch facilities, and Space Shuttle missions are also launched from the Kennedy Space Center. The Refuge is owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. NASA purchased much of Merritt Island in the 1960s for its massive space launch complex, and later deeded much of these lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service to increase public use of non-essential acreage. Parts of the refuge are off-limits to the public at all times, and other areas are closed when a Space Shuttle is scheduled to be launched. Merritt Island NWR is accessible by vehicle.
Volunteers have been surveying Merritt Island NWR since 1998 or 1999 on an average of twice monthly. They drive around the impoundments and count all birds, including shorebirds. The surveys are conducted at certain times of day when less likely to disturb the birds. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (124-218), SEPL (173-310), KILL (14), GRYE (39), LEYE (149), WILL (27), REKN (53-164), LESA (62-138), SBDO (110-312), DUNL (219-1385), MAGO (23).
Survey Method: Survey the impoundments by driving around the impoundments. Contact the refuge for the exact location of these shallow water impoundments. Some of the impoundments can be reached by the Black Point Wildlife Drive, which covers seven miles of the dike surrounding many impoundments and salt marsh. Survey Mosquito Lagoon at low tide from a road that runs along the shore of the lagoon. Visibility is good with a spotting scope at various locations from the road.
Selection Bias: Some areas of the refuge may be closed periodically when a shuttle is scheduled to be launched.
Measurement error: * Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Marc Epstein, Senior Refuge Biologist, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Okeechobee
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Description: Lake Okeechobee is a 470,000-acrelake with 100,000 acres of marsh along the western margins. The Herbert Hoover Dyke surrounds the entire lake, and water levels are controlled manually. Since Lake Okeechobee is a major source of irrigation for nearby sugar crops, the farmers influence the management of the lake’s water levels to remain above 15 feet, despite Dr. Paul Gray’s efforts to convince them that this water level is too high for the natural functioning of the lake. The lake is maintained at water levels too high for shorebirds until drought conditions cause the water levels to drop, which occurred two years ago, and the lake then attracts an abundance of shorebirds. The elevation of the marsh is between 11 and 15 feet, so the mud flats are exposed when the water level drops below 15 feet. The water level of the lake is usually the lowest at the end of the dry season in the spring, so shorebirds may be more abundant at that time.
Shorebirds concentrate along the western lake margin on the exposed mud flats of the marshes. An airboat is necessary for maximum accessibility while the navigating the lake. Open boat trails may allow limited access in a regular boat. Several boat ramps are available throughout the western shore. Visibility is good because the shorebirds will forage on the open mud flats and not in the heavily vegetated areas.
The State of Florida owns the entire lake and the land inside the Herbert Hoover Dyke. We can contact Dr. Gray and arrange for him to show us the lake on his airboat. Although he is extremely busy and may not be able to aid with the surveys, he may be able to help coordinate with others. Since the lake is located in a major migration flyway, it is an important site that would be used by birds if the water levels were maintained at appropriate levels. No surveys have been done at Lake Okeechobee, so no data of shorebird species that use the lake is available.
Survey Method: Survey by airboat along the western shores of the lake.
Selection Bias: Some areas of the marsh may be difficult to access with an airboat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: This site is unpredictable based on the conditions of the lake, such as water level. Since the area is too large to initially survey by boat, an aerial survey of the western shoreline is may be necessary to determine Type 1 habitat.
Local Contacts: Paul Gray, Ph.D., Okeechobee Sanctuary Manager, Audubon of Florida
Belle Glade Agricultural Fields
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Description: The Belle Glade agricultural fields are located southeast of Lake Okeechobee in Palm Beach County and are part of the Everglades Agricultural Area, an area that was part of the Everglades until the marchland was drained and converted to sugar and vegetable crops. The farmers flood the fields in late summer through early fall to prevent subsidence of the muck soil and to kill nematodes, which feed on the roots of plants. As the water begins to drain off, attractive mud flats emerge for shorebirds. The Belle Glade farmlands are privately owned and managed solely for agriculture. Bird use of the fields is a coincidental artifact of the schedule of flooding the fields, rather than any attempt to create shorebird habitats.
The most consistently productive area is Duda Farms, a worldwide agricultural business, which invites the Audubon Society of the Everglades to make one or two field trips per year, usually in August, to the property. In addition, the leaders of the trips have earlier access for scouting purposes. Another site belongs to the South Florida Water Management District off Old State Road 80, near the 20 Mile Bend. It has been under construction for several years and is a Storm Water Treatment area, which consists of ponds of various depths. Shorebirds are not in abundance here, but can be relied upon at water's edge. The most numerous species in the Belle Glade area based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (2250), SEPL (40), KILL (1280), GRYE (1940), LEYE (23600), RUTU (67), SESA (7900), LESA (12450), SBDO (5600), DUNL (512), COSN (13).
Survey Method: Most viewing is accomplished on roadsides that border the fields. Occasional access to the farm roads between fields is possible. Visibility is good with a spotting scope due to the flat terrain and absence of interfering foreground shrubs.
Selection Bias: Access may be difficult due to the private ownerships of the fields, and all of the fields may not be viewed successfully from the road.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Site location varies from year to year depending on which fields are being prepared for planting during the summer, so the sites will need to be located by driving around the area.
Local Contacts: Barbara Liberman, volunteer monitor
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
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Description: The Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is located 20 miles southeast of Naples in Collier County. The western boundary lies along County Road 92. The Gulf of Mexico borders the southern boundary, and the eastern boundary lies just west of Everglades National Park, and FAKA Union Canal in the northern portion of that boundary. Approximately two thirds of the refuge’s 35,000 acres is mangrove forest, which dominates most tidal fringes and the numerous islands. The northern third of the refuge consists of brackish marsh and interspersed ponds, and small coastal hammocks. The estuaries are good for foraging shorebirds, and the marshes are good for both roosting and foraging.
Accessibility is very difficult due to the very shallow water areas in the marsh and back bay areas, so an airboat would be the optimal mode of travel. Some airboat trails, which run in a north-south direction into the marsh, may exist and tend to remain wet. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Florida jointly manage anything below mean high water level. The State of Florida manages the outer islands, and the state and federal governments jointly own other islands.
A few years ago Terry Doyle did an ISS survey in the spring, but he was disappointed by numbers and only sampled a small area due to limited accessibility. According to Mr. Doyle, the most numerous species present are BBPL, SEPL, RUTU, DUNL, SBDO along the coast and GRYE, LEYE, LESA inland in the marsh habitats. He suspects that there may be inaccessible areas with high shorebird usage. Ted Below of Audubon of Florida has surveyed parts of the refuge.
Survey Method: The coastal islands and sand bars that are good for roosting birds can be surveyed by boat at high tide. The back bays must be surveyed using an airboat at low tides while the shorebirds are feeding. Distant shorebirds are likely visible with a spotting scope.
Selection Bias: Much of the refuge is difficult to access and contains potential Type 1 habitat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Aerial Surveys of the refuge are needed to determine additional staging areas and type 1 and 2 habitat.
Local Contacts: Terry Doyle, Wildlife Biologist, Ten Thousand Islands NWR
Ted Below, Audubon of Florida
Cape Romano / Marco Island
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Description: Cape Romano and Marco Island are located on the Gulf of Mexico in southwestern Collier County. This area is primarily sandy beach and sand bars on and near mangrove dominated islands. Type 1 habitat is located along southern Cape Romano Island along a sandbar and beach that are accessible only by boat and difficult to get to when there is much surf. Caxambas Pass, which flows between Marco Island and Cape Romano Island, contains Type 1 habitat on several sandbars and beaches that are accessible only by boat. Type 1 habitat is also located on Sand Dollar Island, a sand spit on the northwestern corner of Marco Island, which is accessible by foot from the Tigertail Public Beach parking lot.
Ted Below has been monitoring coastal waterbirds and shorebirds for the last 30 years in this region for several projects. He has surveyed Sand Dollar Island bi-weekly for 30 years and both Caxamba Pass and Cape Romano monthly for 20 years. Much of the area is under the state aquatic preserve system, but some of the islands are privately owned. Tigertail Public Beach is owned by Collier County. Barron Bollier Company owns the southern portion of Cape Romano Island.
The most numerous species at Tigertail Beach based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (29), SNPL (12), WIPL (34), SEPL (44), PIPL (23), RUTU (23), REKN (25), SAND (40), DUNL (178), SBDO (69).
The most numerous species at Caxambas Pass based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: WILL (12), SAND (5), SBDO (6).
The most numerous species at Cape Romano based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (378), SNPL (70), WIPL (105), SEPL (243), PIPL (40), AMOY (150), WILL (1003), WHIM (28), MAGO (120), RUTU (3736), REKN (2000), SAND (1140), SESA (660), LESA (250), DUNL (4610), SBDO (3750).
Survey Method: Ground survey at Sand Dollar at high tide. Boat survey at Caxambas Pass and Cape Romano during strong high tide when the water level enables access with a boat.
Selection Bias: None if surveyor has access to boat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Ted Below, Audubon of Florida
Little Estero Island
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Description: Little Estero Island is located on the southern tip of the barrier island, Estero Island, in southwestern Lee County. A lagoon flows between Little Estero Island and Estero Island, which is very developed. With frequent changes occurring to the outer beach, dunes, and lagoon inlets, Little Estero Island is quite dynamic. Little Estero Island consists of sand bars, tidal pools, and a low gulf dune system with some vegetation on the ridges. The habitat of Little Estero Island is rare and known as coastal dune scrub. Due to the tidal accretion of sand, the southern portion of the island’s channel has been filled in. The continual accretion of sand is creating another channel further south, which may again be entirely filled in with new sand. Type 1 shorebird habitat exists along the outer beach and the mud flats on the lagoon side of the sandbar, which are exposed at low tide.
The city of Fort Myers Beach owns Little Estero Island. Little Estero Island can be accessed by boat but is more easily accessed by parking at Santini Plaza (approx. 4.5 miles from the bridge entering the north end of the island and located on the east side of Estero Blvd) or the Holiday Inn and then walking to Little Estero Island. The upper beach and dunes of Little Estero Lagoon is a designated Critical Wildlife Area, and is posted against human entry during 1 April–31 August. This area includes Little Estero Island itself and the wetlands and lagoons that have formed behind the island.
Volunteers have been surveying the area for 13 years, but not consistently, during nesting season from spring to mid-summer every two weeks and occasionally in the winter. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: WIPL (62), PIPL (25), AMOY (64), WILL (41), REKN (241), SAND (465), SBDO (24), DUNL (71).
Survey Method: Ground survey the whole island at low tide when the mud flats are exposed along the lagoon side of the island. The survey will take about six hours to complete. The shorebirds are not easily spooked. Visibility is excellent with a spotting scope or binoculars.
Selection Bias: Not applicable as all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: James Beever, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Charlie Ewell, Florida Ornithological Society
San Carlos Bay / Bunche Beach Preserve
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Description: San Carlos Bay – Bunch Beach Preserve is located in Lee County on the mainland off of San Carlos Bay. The eastern shore of San Carlos Bay is unique in southwest Florida since it has a low energy shoreline including a wide, shallow intertidal zone with sea grass beds, mud flats, sandbars and a narrow coastal strand area that includes a sandy beach. The beach areas are low profile with flat dunes and coastal berm vegetation, which is seaward of an extensive tidal swamp that transitions into a coastal grassland community before the developed upland areas occur. The two major tidal creeks that flow through the Preserve are Terrapin Creek and Rock Creek. Type 1 habitat extends along the entire shoreline that stretches from Sanibel causeway to the eastern end of Bunche Beach and along the shoreline of Rock Creek.
Lee County owns and manages the Preserve. A land stewardship plan is under development for the Preserve. Typically a large portion of the Preserve is underwater and all of it lies within Lee County’s coastal high hazard area. Various private groups own the remaining western portion of the shoreline, which includes the majority of mud flats that are beyond the Preserve’s boundaries and an unnamed beach to the west of Bunche Beach. Parking is available at the southern end of John Morris Rd. on a small sandlot with a few additional sandy spaces located along the entrance/exit roadsides. All other areas must be accessed by foot. The shoreline along Rock Creek of the western part of Bunche Beach is best accessed via kayak or wading.
Bird Patrol volunteers presently monitor the beaches and mud flats for birds on a bimonthly basis year round. Bird monitoring data from local birdwatchers has been collected and combined into a data set for an 8-year-period. According to Roger Clark, shorebird species that migrate through the Preserve are: BBPL, PIPL, SEPL, SBDO, MAGO, LBCU, WHIM, REKN (300-500), RUTU, SAND, LESA, SPSA, DUNL, GRYE, LEYE. Shorebirds that breed in the area and may or may not migrate through are: SNPL, WIPL, KILL, AMOY, WILL.
Survey Method: Ground surveys at low to mid tide when mud flats are exposed in the morning or evening. Visibility is good with a spotting scope.
Selection Bias: All areas within the preserve are accessible, but Type 1 shorebird habitat likely extends past the preserve’s western boundaries, which is privately owned land and may not be accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: If permission can be granted to access the shoreline to the west of the preserve, this area should be surveyed for Type 1 habitat.
Local Contacts: Roger Clark, Land Stewardship Manager, Lee Co. Div of Land Management
Claire and Bev Postmas, volunteer monitors.
J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
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Description: The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on northern Sanibel Island in Lee County. Sanibel Island is a barrier island fringed with mangrove trees and shallow bays on the north and white sandy beaches along the south. The refuge consists of over 6,300 acres of several habitat types: estuarine habitat consisting of open water, sea grass beds, mud flats and mangrove islands; interior freshwater habitats consisting of open water ponds, spartina swales and west Indian hardwood hammocks/ridges. Approximately 2,800 acres of the refuge are federally designated as Wilderness Area. Type 1 habitat is located at the two brackish water impoundments totaling 800 acres. Type 2 habitat occurs along the sandy beaches of southern Sanibel Island.
Sanibel Island can be accessed by vehicle or boat. The most popular place to view wildlife on the refuge is Wildlife Drive, a five-mile, one-way, unpaved road that leads through the heart of a mangrove forest. Wildlife Drive can be accessed via vehicle, guided tram, bicycle, or foot. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns Darling NWR. The southern beaches of Sanibel Island are under a mixture of private and public ownerships.
A volunteer conducts surveys on the impoundments all year with the exception of summer. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys for Darling NWR are: BBPL (235), WILL (155), REKN (30), SBDO (800) and DUNL (88). The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys for Sanibel Island are: BBPL (100), WIPL (132), SEPL (98), KILL (40), GRYE (40), LEYE (75), WILL (203), RUTU (127), REKN (1000), SAND (1200), SESA (60), LESA (300), LESA (800) and DUNL (1000).
According to Bev Postmas, a volunteer monitor, the numbers of migrating shorebirds at Ding Darling NWR and the remainder of Sanibel Island have decreased over the last several years. However, some years may have substantial numbers of shorebirds.
Survey Method: Survey the impoundments when the mud flats are exposed at low tide. The impoundments are accessible by vehicle or foot via Wildlife Drive on a dike that separates the two impoundments and offers excellent visibility with a spotting scope. One may also access the impoundments by foot on South Indigo Trail, but the visibility is limited due to the mangroves that grow between the trail and the impoundments. Survey the beaches along the southern shoreline of Sanibel Island at low tide.
Selection Bias: Not applicable as all Type 1 habitat is accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Kendra Pednault-Willett, Wildlife Biologist, J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR
Claire and Bev Postmas, volunteer monitors
Cayo Costa State Park
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Description: Cayo Costa State Park is 2,416 acres located 12 miles west of Cape Coral in Lee County and occupies 97% of an undeveloped barrier island, called Cayo Costa, which lies in a chain of barrier islands that shelter Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound from the storms of the Gulf of Mexico. The eastern edge of Cayo Costa Island is mangrove swamp, and the western shore is nine miles of sandy, shell hash beach and a dune system. The interior of the island contains a mixture of pine flatwoods, oak-palm hammocks and grassy areas interspersed with palms. Mangroves dominate the park’s shoreline along Pine Island Sound. Type 1 habitat is located in the “Johnsons Shoal” area of Cayo Costa Island, which is the mid-upper portion of the island between Murdock Point and a fingerlike projection of land extending into the water.
The majority of Cayo Costa Island is owned by the State of Florida, with only 3% in private ownership and scattered throughout the island. Cayo Costa State Park is accessible only by boat. Volunteers and paid county staff have conducted breeding surveys since the early 1980s. Audubon volunteers and another group have been periodically monitoring migrant shorebirds.
Need data
Survey Method: Ground survey at low tide. Visibility is good with a spotting scope.
Selection Bias: None if surveyor has access to a boat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Annette Nelson, Assistant Park Manager, Cayo Costa Adminstration
Stump Pass Beach State Park
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Description: Stump Pass Beach State Park is located in the town of Englewood and consists of the southernmost mile of Manasota Key, Peterson Island and Whidden Island, which totals 245 acres. Stump Pass, which flows between the park and Knight Island, was recently dredged to create a new pass and is now bordered by a gulf barrier beach on one side and a tidal lagoon on the other. Some of the sand was moved around during the dredging, which created variation in sand grain size but has not seemed to deter the birds. Stump Pass Beach contains five distinct natural communities: marine unconsolidated substrate, beach dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock and estuarine tidal swamp. Type 1 habitat is located at the sandy beach of Stump Pass Spit on the southern tip of Manasota Key.
The State of Florida owns Stump Pass Beach State Park and northern Don Pedro Island has a privately owned Palm Island Resort. Portions of shoreline along Manasota Key are accessible by vehicle; otherwise they are accessible by foot. Stump Pass is only accessible by boat or ferry.
Since April 2003, a group of volunteers have been providing bird survey data for Charlotte County, FL, to comply with the terms of a dredging permit for Stump Pass and associated beach re-nourishment. The surveys are conducted mainly between February and August and cover the areas of Stump Pass, Stump Pass Spit, the Park beach, the Palm Island Resort and Knight Island. Cathy Olson and Missy Christie of the Charlotte County Natural Resources Division manage and compile the data for this survey effort.
Stump Pass Spit is ~ 3500' long and 150' wide at the widest beach area and covered by heavy dune vegetation, mostly railroad vine, which gives way to a shell and sand beach toward the southern half. One of the volunteers monitoring the spit, Jeff Bouton, has provided shorebird information on the area. According to Mr. Bouton, the following shorebird species are present at Stump Pass: BBPL, SEPL, PIPL, GRYE, LEYE, SOSA, WILL, SPSA, WHIM, LBCU, MAGO, RUTU, SAND, LESA and SBDO.
According to Bill Dunson, another surveyor for the Charlotte County monitoring project, the primary breeders at Stump Pass are WIPL, SNPL, and Least Terns.
Survey Method: Although Stump Pass State Park is accessible by vehicle, it is best to take a boat to the Lemon Bay side and walk across to the beach area. Ground surveys at low tide. Visibility is good with a spotting scope.
Selection Bias: None if surveyor has access to a boat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Missy Christie, Environmental Specialist, Charlotte County Natural Resources Division; Cathy Olson, Environmental Specialist II, Natural Resources Section - Environmental and Extension Services; Annette Neilson, Park Manager Assistant, Cayo Costa Adminstration;
Bill Dunson, PhD, Charlotte County shorebird surveyor.
Polk County Phosphate Mines
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Description: Polk County is located in interior central Florida between Tampa and Orlando. The active Polk Phosphate Mines are clay settling pits and reclaimed areas of southwestern Polk County. Five mining companies operate in the area. Phosphate mines are temporary in nature and locations change from year to year. Because of the nature of the mining operation, most of the pits that received heavy shorebird use are converted over time into thick stands of cattails or dry, bare fields, which receive less shorebird use. New pits are created each season and provide suitable habitat for enormous numbers of shorebirds for several years. Many impoundments containing approximately five to six square miles of water are in various stages of vegetative growth, which ranges from mudflats to cattails.
All mines are on private property. Permission must be obtained from the owner before entry. Chuck Geanangel had permits to enter some of these properties from IMC Global phosphate company, recently absorbed by Cargill; the negotiation of renewed access with Mosaic company is underway. The phosphate mines he monitors are located west of SR 17 and south of SR 60 all in Polk County, and the centralized location is the town of Bradley Junction.
Mr. Geanangel and Pete Timmer have monitored the area for 25 years, and more recently have been entering the counts into a database. The most numerous species for spring migration of 1995-2002 based on maximum counts from their surveys are: SEPL (115), KILL (45), GRYE (15), LEYE (1300), SPSA (5), SESA (14,525), LESA (3000), DUNL (21), SBDO (145). The most numerous species for fall migration of 1995-2002 based on maximum counts from their surveys are: SEPL (23), KILL (75), GRYE (10), LEYE (155), SOSA (1), SPSA (3), SESA (1500), LESA (5600), WILL (2) and SBDO (75).
Survey Method: Surveys are best conducted by vehicle on dike roads at stationary points with spotting scope early in the day. The roads are in rough condition and require a four-wheel drive vehicle. Note that the roads change as the location of the mines change. Visibility is excellent if little vegetation is present in the impoundments.
Selection Bias: Shorebirds may still be using impoundments that become obscured by tall, emergent vegetation and, in that case, are not visible from points along the road. If a long term trend in shorebird use exists in non-surveyable areas, a pilot study will be needed to determine the extent to which visibility problems are creating selection bias.
Measurement error: This is possible due to changes in land ownership and vegetation growth.
Measurement bias: This site consists entirely of private ownerships, which change frequently as mines are sold to other companies or developments. Access to certain areas may be forestalled and thus result in bias over time. Additionally, vantage points for counting shorebirds may have to be adjusted between surveys as viewing conditions change in response to vegetation growth.
To determine the extent of such bias, changes in ownership and obscuring vegetation from year to year should be documented.
Pilot Studies: A survey of the whole area, or the areas that are accessible, is necessary each year to determine current Type 1 habitat due to dramatically changing habitat conditions.
Local Contacts: Chuck Geanangel and Pete Timmer, Lake Region Audubon Society
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
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Description: Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge is located on Passage Key, a meandering 30-acre barrier island located in Manatee County off shore from the town of St. Petersburg and approximately 1.5 miles south of Egmont Key. Passage Key is made up of beach with herbaceous and shrubby vegetation in the center. Type 1 habitat is located at the northern and southern ends of Passage Key, and Type 2 habitat is located throughout the island.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns Passage Key and has a cooperative agreement with Pinellas County to manage the water bottoms surrounding the island. Passage Key NWR is a designated Wilderness Area and because of its small size and importance to nesting and roosting shore birds and water birds, the refuge is closed to all public use year round. Passage Key is accessible only by boat.
Passage Key is surveyed once per year for nesting birds by refuge personnel. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (22), WIPL (30), SEPL (76), REKN (300), SAND (500), SBDO (250), DUNL (250).
Survey Method: Boat around the perimeter of the island first. Then survey the entire island by foot at low tide. Visibility is excellent with a spotting scope and binoculars.
Selection Bias: None if surveyor has access to a boat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Current shorebird use will need to be assessed every season due to the dynamic nature of the island. Note that Passage Key is decreasing in size due to erosion.
Local Contacts: Joyce Kleen, Chassahowitzka NWR Complex
Egmont Key
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Description: Egmont Key is a barrier island located in Hillsborough County off shore from the town of St. Petersburg at the mouth of Tampa Bay and southwest of Fort De Soto Beach. The entire island is a wildlife refuge. Egmont Key is made up of coastal maritime hammock surrounded by beach. Type 1 habitat is located at the northwestern beach, the eastern beach along a sea grass bed, and the southern end of the island. Type 2 habitat can be found anywhere on the island.
The island of Egmont Key has several ownerships. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection cooperatively manage 328-acre Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Coast Guard owns 55 acres at the northeast section of the island and is managed cooperatively with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Tampa Bay Pilots Association own five acres and leases another five acres from USFWS in the middle of the island along the eastern edge.
Access to the island is by boat only. The sea grass bed along the eastern beach is a non-motorized boating zone. Refuge personnel access Egmont Key by refuge boats, Florida Park Service, or Tampa Bay Pilots Association. The entire southern tip of the island is closed to the public year round and designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
The refuge conducts International Migration Bird Counts twice a year in May and September, as well as year-round wildlife surveys once a month. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from these surveys during the spring are: BBPL (31), PIPL (1), AMOY (7), WILL (12), SPSA (3), RUTU (17), SAND (140), DUNL (1). The most numerous species based on maximum counts based on these surveys during the fall are: BBPL (26), AMOY (6), WILL (71), RUTU (16), REKN (10), SAND (60), DUNL (1), SBDO (13).
Survey Method: Boat survey around the perimeter of the island first, then survey the entire island by foot at low tide. Visibility is excellent with a spotting scope and binoculars.
Selection Bias: None if surveyor has access to a boat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Edgmont Key should be surveyed for migrating shorebirds despite the low counts of the refuge surveys. Passage Key, which is located south of Egmont Key, has substantial numbers of migrating shorebirds but is decreasing in size due to erosion. Therefore, the shorebirds that use Passage Key may begin to use Egmont Key.
Local Contacts: Joyce Kleen, Chassahowitzka NWR Complex
Tampa Bay
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Description: Tampa Bay is located on the central west coast of the Florida peninsula. The following types of habitats make up the Tampa Bay region: artificial (dredged material islands), mangrove forest, estuarine, tidal marsh, coastal strand. The following sites are potential Type 1 habitats.
McKay Bay is located at the extreme northeastern end of Hillsborough Bay. Type 1 habitat occurs at the finger-like projection of water in the northeastern corner of McKay Bay, but the number of shorebirds has declined in McKay Bay in recent years. Two main drainage systems that are located along McKay Bay drain industrial muck and particulate matter into the bay, which has raised the elevation of the bay. The margin of McKay Bay is a mixture of private and public ownership. McKay Bay is difficult to access with any type of boat at any tide level due to shallow water and difficult to access by foot due to soft sediment. Another option for accessing McKay Bay is via a county park, which has a boardwalk leading out to the bay. However, the shorebirds will be too far away to get accurate count even with a spotting scope. The best time to survey is at medium to low tide and in the afternoon when the position of the sun will not be directly in front of the surveyor and thus obstructing the view. Visibility is not good due to various obstructions. Southwestern Florida Management District owns some pits near Palm River, which flows into northeastern McKay Bay, that were major shorebird roosting sites but are no longer good sites due to increased vegetation. However, the pits may be worth surveying. Contact Manny Lopez or Mike Hancock at (813) 985-7481 or the Tampa Office (813) 228-9858 for permission to access these pits. Christmas Bird Counts have been done at McKay Bay, and Paul Blair, a volunteer, has conducted International Shorebird Surveys (ISS) but is no longer doing so. The most numerous species at McKay Bay based on maximum counts from the ISS are: BBPL (80), WIPL (100), SEPL (210), KILL (55), AMOY (15), LEYE (1200), WILL (630), REKN (80), SAND (1860), SESA (500), LESA (1200), SBDO (350), DUNL (1090), MAGO (27).
Islands 2D and 3D are two artificial spoil islands created in Hillsborough Bay during the dredging of the main shipping channel to the Port of Tampa. The northern island is 2D, and the southern island is 3D. These diked islands are good for shorebirds if the conditions are favorable, such as low water levels and dry sediment, which are functions of rainfall and recent dredging projects, respectively. The islands are posted against human intrusion year-round, so for permission to access Islands 2D and 3D, which are owned by the Tampa Port Authority, contact Dave Parchae at (813) 905-5030.
A disposal basin adjacent to Alafia Rivers's north shoreline, called Area C, is also a good area for shorebirds. Cargill Fertilizer, Inc. owns Area C, so contact Christine Smith at (813) 671-6144 for permission to access.
Sunken Island and Bird Island are located 1.5 miles west of the Alafia River mouth. The islands, which are Audubon Sanctuaries and closed to public access, are made up of mangroves and non-native vegetation on the higher ground, as well as open sand beaches and sandbars. A sand bar connects the islands at low tide but is otherwise submerged. The sand bars at the eastern and western ends of the islands are Type 1 shorebird habitats, and the southern beaches of the islands are potential Type 1 habitats. Shorebirds, particularly large numbers of LBCU, roost on the island at two-thirds or higher tides. Survey by boat around the perimeter of the islands at half to two-thirds high tide. Contact Richard Paul, of the National Audubon Society, for permission to access these islands.
The Kitchen is a submerged area on the eastern shoreline of Hillsborough Bay. A restoration project will create a park and put the area back into the estuarine system after the removal of fill material that was dumped into the Kitchen 35 years ago. The Kitchen has a mixture of private and public ownership: Tampa Port Authority, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and Hillsborough County. Access can be arranged with Hillsborough County, but the Kitchen is best surveyed by boat at half or low tide, and no permission is needed for a boat survey. Christmas Bird Counts are the only surveys conducted at the Kitchen.
The shallow margins of Old Tampa Bay, the northwestern part of Tampa Bay, may also have good shorebird habitat.
Survey Method: Survey by boat at low tide. See above for more detail on each site.
Selection Bias: Much of the Tampa Bay shoreline and islands are on private property, which requires permission to access. Some of the shoreline is difficult to access at low tide due to very shallow water.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: The shorebirds move with the tides in a north-south direction in Tampa Bay, so it is necessary to undertake measures that would lower the chances of counting an individual shorebird more than once during a survey.
Pilot Studies: Aerial survey the entire eastern shoreline of Tampa Bay to locate all Type 1 habitat. Richard Paul suggests a synoptic survey of the entire margin of Tampa Bay at low tide. Such a survey has never been conducted for Tampa Bay, but it could locate Type 1 habitats that would otherwise remain unknown. Richard Paul would be willing to work with us on such a survey. Ground surveys can supplement the aerial surveys. Note that McDill Air Force Base, which is located on the Interbay Peninsula in north-central Tampa Bay, may not grant permission to conduct surveys in its air space or property.
Local Contacts: Richard Paul, National Audubon Society
Fort De Soto Park
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Description: Fort De Soto Park is located at the southernmost tip of Pinellas County and consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands: Mullet Key, St. Christopher Key, St. Jean Key, Madelaine Key and Bonne Fortune Key. Future plans involve separating these islands and joining them by bridges. Mullet Key is a barrier island with 7 miles of sandy beach and vegetated dunes on the gulf and Tampa Bay side; mangroves line the inner central coastline along Mullet Key Bayou. Type 1 habitat is located along the northwestern tip of Mullet Key, which includes North Tip Island, North Beach and the spit on the other side of the lagoon from North Beach. The habitat along the northwestern tip of Mullet Key consists of beach and vegetated dunes, tidal pools, estuaries and emergent mud flats. Additional Type 1 habitat is located along the extreme eastern tip of Mullet Key, called East Tip, which has barren habitat and tidal pools that cut into the southeastern side
Pinellas County owns Fort De Soto Park and manages 3000 acres of submerged lands. Mullet Key is accessible by vehicle, and parking is available at several locations, including the northwestern tip and East Tip. The majority of East Tip is posted as closed due to a habitat restoration project, but access is limited to Beach Trail, Privet Trail and the road/parking lot.
The park has not conducted any formal surveys, but local birders contribute to a running list of bird sightings that dates back to the 1980s .The Department of Environmental Management or the local Audubon chapter may have done some surveys. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (78), WIPL (20), SEPL (28), WILL (489), SAND (450), SBDO (323) and DUNL (540). According to Lyn Atherton, most of the shorebirds at Mullet Key go to Shell Key during low tide. Shell Key is located less than one mile north of Mullet Key.
Survey Method: Ground surveys should be conducted on the northwestern tip of Mullet Key at mid tide. The shorebirds move to the higher areas of Shell Key during high tide and feed on the exposed flats east and south of Shell Key during low tide. North Tip Island can be accessed at low tide by walking across emerged lands. Ground surveys should be conducted on East Tip during high tide when the shorebirds are along the high tide line or in the muddy, grassy areas between the main road and the high tide line.
Selection Bias: Not applicable as all areas should be accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Jim Wilson, Assistant Park Supervisor, Fort De Soto Park
Robert Browning, Park Supervisor, Fort De Soto Park
Lyn Atherton, volunteer surveyor.
Shell Key Preserve
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Description: Shell Key Preserve is a 1755-acre preserve located immediately west of Tierra Verde in southern Pinellas County. It includes Shell Key, a 180-acre undeveloped barrier island, and several mangrove islands, sea grass beds, mud flats, and sand bars that lie to the east of Shell Key. In 1997 Shell Key arose from three sand spits that coalesced into one large C-shaped island and is constantly altered by tides, currents, and stochastic weather events. Since that time, vegetative succession has progressed along the sandy open areas to the interior of the island, which are preferred by shorebirds for nesting and roosting. Consequently, the remaining sandy open areas, which are concentrated along the beaches, have become more critical for shorebirds. The large lagoon to the north and the expansive Australian pine forest to the south, remain fairly stable. However, the south, west and north shorelines are very dynamic. The outer part of Shell Key succeeds 2.5 miles of intertidal and upper beach dune habitat and consists of shallow mudflats and a sea grass habitat. The eastern side of Shell Key consists of a coastal strand of tidal marches and swamps. Type 1 habitat is currently located along the emergent mud flats at the northern and southern tips of Shell Key, as well as the lagoon of the north-central interior portion of Shell Key.
Shell Key is only accessible by boat or a private ferry from Pass-a-Grille, and no motorized vehicles are allowed anywhere on the island. Approximately 65 acres within the north-central portion of Shell Key has been set-aside as a Bird Preservation Area for nesting shorebirds, and public access is prohibited within this area. Although the State of Florida owns Shell Key Preserve, Pinellas County manages the preserve as well as the submerged lands. Ponnoma Island, however, is privately owned.
In 2000, Pinellas County organized a group of skilled volunteers from St. Petersburg Audubon Society to survey the northern two-thirds of Shell Key in order to monitor nesting and wintering shorebirds. The surveys were conducted every two weeks from September through March. The volunteers split up into three predetermined routes, and the total length of time to survey the area is about two to three hours. According to Steve Harper, as of 2005 the survey frequency was cut back to once per month and St. Petersburg volunteers run their own shuttle transport out to the key on weekends.
The research staff of Shell Key Preserve also collects data on nesting shorebirds once every week from March to August.
The most numerous species based on maximum counts for the spring migration of 2000-2003 from the Audubon surveys are: BBPL (1010), WIPL (104), SEPL (1045), PIPL (30), AMOY (46), GRYE (60), WILL (1024), MAGO (105), RUTU (103), REKN (1012), SAND (1005), SESA (39), LESA (37), DUNL (1562), SBDO (419). The most numerous species based on maximum counts for the fall migration of 2000-2002 from the park research staff surveys are: BBPL (229), SNPL (14), WIPL (62), SEPL (205), PIPL (31), WILL (392), AMOY (18), MAGO (77), RUTU (35), REKN (1268), SAND (463), DUNL (637), SBDO (424).
Survey Method: Ground survey at low tide when the mud flats are exposed. Visibility is excellent with spotting scope.
Selection Bias: The mangrove islands to the east may have shorebird hotspots, but accessibility is difficult due to extremely shallow water.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Type 1 habitat will frequently change with the dynamic nature of the island, so the current condition and shorebird use will need to be assessed every year.
Local Contacts: Steve Harper, Research Director, Pinellas County Environmental Management
Caladesi Island State Park
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Description: Caladesi Island is a mature barrier island with sand dunes lining the open beach on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico and mangrove forests along the island’s eastern coast. Type 1 habitat is located along the mud flats of the northeastern tip of Caladesi Island. The undeveloped beachfront that spans the whole island may also have good sites for shorebirds, as well as the sandy beach of northern Clearwater Beach Island, which is accessible by foot from Caladesi Island and experiences a low level of human disturbance.
Caladesi Island is owned by the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks and managed by the Honeymoon Administration. Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat. Ferry service is available from Honeymoon Island at regular intervals. The park service also travels to and from the island on a regular basis, so an option may be to arrange rides to the island with the park service. Note that Dunedin Pass, south of Caladesi Island, is closed due to the island’s current connection with northern Clearwater Beach Island.
Honeymoon Admistration began conducting nesting surveys this year. No previous surveys have been conducted on a regular basis. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (70), WIPL (20), SEPL (89), REKN (300), SAND (141), SBDO (56) and DUNL (537).
Survey Method: Ground surveys at low tide when the mud flats are exposed.
Selection Bias: Potential type 1 habitat exists along the beach front of Caladesi Island and northern tip of Clearwater Beach Island.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Surveys of the undeveloped beachfront along the western coast of Caladesi Island and the northern tip of Clearwater Beach Island should be conducted for potential Type 1 shorebird habitat.
Local Contacts: Sally Braem, Park Biologist, Honeymoon Administration
Richard Paul, National Audubon Society
Honeymoon Island State Park
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Description: Honeymoon Island State Park is located on Honeymoon Island, a mature barrier island located in Pinellas County. The island consists of sand dunes, tidal flats, sea-grass beds, salt marsh, mangrove swamps, and hardwood and pine forest. Beachfront borders the gulf side of Honeymoon Island and mangrove swamps and emergent flats occur on the bay side. Type 1 shorebird habitat is located along the tidal flats of the northern tip of the island. Type 2 habitat is located along the southern portion of the island and along Dunedin Causeway.
The island is accessible by vehicle via Dunedin Causeway attached to the mainland. The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks owns Honeymoon Island, which is administered by the Honeymoon Adminstration, formerly known as Gulf Islands GEOpark.
Honeymoon Administration regularly surveys Honeymoon State Park. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (3000), SNPL (42), WIPL (200), SEPL (1000), PIPL (67), AMOY (40), WILL (300), RUTU (800), REKN (2300), SAND (1000), SESA (300), LESA (90), SBDO (750), DUNL (3000), MAGO (200).
Survey Method: Surveys should be conducted by foot, kayak, or boat at low tide when the mudflats are exposed.
Selection Bias: Not applicable as all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Sally Braem, Park Biologist, Honeymoon Administration
Richard Paul, National Audubon Society
Three Rooker Island
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Description: Three Rooker Island is a barrier island located in Pinellas County, between Anclote Key and Honeymoon Island, with a low-vegetated dune system, mud flats and mangroves. During the weekend, Type 1 habitat is located along the middle portion of the island due to heavy recreational use of the northern and southern tips. The shorebirds may move to the tips during the week when fewer disturbances occur. Type 2 habitat occurs throughout the island.
The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks owns Three Rooker Island, which is administered by Honeymoon Adminstration, formerly known as Gulf Islands GEOpark. Honeymoon Admistration staff and volunteers have been conducting nesting surveys on Three Rooker Island since 2000. They survey the island a total of 15 times between the beginning of March and beginning of October. They divide into two groups to cover as much of the island with as little disturbance to the birds as possible. Audubon of Florida does a nesting survey at least once a year in conjunction with Honeymoon Administration.
The maximum counts from 2001 and 2002 bird surveys conducted by park staff and volunteers on Three Rooker Island (spring and beg of fall): BBPL (72), SEPL (113), PIPL (57), RUTU (30), REKN (75), LESA (95), DUNL (606), SAND (305), SBDO (205), MAGO (30).
Survey Method: Ground survey at low tide when shorebirds are feeding on the exposed mud flats. Visibility is excellent.
Selection Bias: None if surveyor has access to a boat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Sally Braem, Park Biologist, Honeymoon Administration
Richard Paul, National Audubon Society
Fred Howard Park
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Description: Fred Howard Park is located in Pinellas County on the Gulf of Mexico. It is an island of white sandy beach encompassing an area of 155 acres connected to the mainland via a 1-mile long causeway. Tidal swamp is located along the mainland. Type 1 habitat is located on both sides of the causeway, particularly on the northwestern side and the eastern beach, which experiences less disturbance than the western beach. Shorebirds also prefer the emergent mud flats located along the back, or eastern beach, and all the way inland. Shorebirds favor the sea grass beds in the surrounding shallow waters of the park as well as uprooted sea grass that gathers around the island.
Fred Howard Park is an extensively used public beach facility. Pinellas County owns Fred Howard Park, which is accessible by vehicle. Parking is provided on the mainland and the beach. The park headquarters is located on the mainland. Park personnel take note of species present with occasional estimated counts, but do not conduct formal surveys at Fred Howard Park. However, a team of volunteers associated with Fort De Soto Park has carried out shorebird surveys at Fred Howard in the past. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: WILL (192-324), SBDO (59), DUNL (29).
Survey Method: Ground survey at low tide in the early morning or late evening. Survey the causeway and entire shoreline of the beach. Visibility is excellent with a spotting scope or binoculars.
Selection Bias: Not applicable as all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: This site was recommended as a good shorebird migration site despite low ISS counts.
Local Contacts: Bob Zakrzewski, Park Supervisor, Fred Howard Park; Hugh Fagen, Field Services Supervisor, Fort De Soto Park.
Anclote Key Preserve State Park and Anclote Bar
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Description: Anclote Key Preserve State Park is located in southwestern Pasco County and northwestern Pinellas County on Anclote Key, a mature barrier island made up of sand bars, Australian pine, and mangroves. Type 1 habitat is located at the northern and southern tips of Anclote Key.
Anclote Bar, a newly formed 30-acre barrier island, is located approximately 0.7 miles to the north of Anclote Key in southwestern Pasco County. Anclote Bar is a sand bar that is composed entirely of Type 1 habitat.
The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks owns both Anclote Key and Anclote Bar, which are administered by Honeymoon Adminstration, formerly known as Gulf Islands GEOpark. Anclote Key and Anclote Bar are accessible only by boat. No known problems with visibility at these sites. The Anclote Key State Park unit management plan includes monitoring and protection of nesting and wintering shorebirds.
Honeymoon Adminstration staff and volunteers have monitored and surveyed Anclote Key and Anclote Bar for nesting shorebirds. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys for Anclote Key are: BBPL (36), SNPL (33), WIPL (94), SEPL (205-305), PIPL (15), WILL (68), RUTU (150), REKN (53), SAND (160), SBDO (141), DUNL (1370). The most numerous species based on maximum counts of a 2002 bird survey on Anclote Bar for resting birds: BBPL (50), SEPL (60), PIPL ( ), LESA (65), RUTU (48), SAND (66), SBDO (116), DUNL (20).
Survey Method: Anclote Key: Ground survey at low tide when the shorebirds are foraging. Anclote Bar: Survey by boat on the eastern side at high tide when the shorebirds are roosting. Visibility is excellent at both sites.
Selection Bias: None if surveyor has access to a boat.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: None needed.
Local Contacts: Sally Braem, Park Biologist, Honeymoon Administration
Richard Paul, National Audubon Society
Jerry Krummrich, monitor at Anclote Bar
Lake Apopka Restoration Area
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Description: The Lake Apopka Restoration Area is located in east-central Lake County and west-central Orange County, comprising the entire northern shoreline of Lake Apopka, north to Duda–Jones Road, and south to include all of Clay Island on the lake’s northwestern shore. Former marshland was diked off from Lake Apopka and converted to vegetable farms in the early to mid–1900s. Most of the soils are rich muck, derived from drained peat. The farmers flooded the fields to control nematodes and weeds, and this flooding usually occurred during the middle of summer and early fall, which coincided with the fall migration of shorebirds. Due to the centralized location in the state and the visibility from the air, the flooded fields, which usually totaled around 2,000 acres, attracted thousands of migrating shorebirds.
Eventually, a major bird die-off occurred, which raised concern about the pollution by the agricultural industry. Public acquisition of the farms began in 1988 to begin clean up of Lake Apopka, Florida’s most polluted lake, and most acquisitions were completed in 1999–2000, when 13,000 acres of farmland were purchased. Former agricultural fields have lain fallow and unflooded since February 1999, so most of the area is no longer optimal shorebird habitat. West of the Apopka–Beauclair Canal, an additional 6,000 acres are being converted to a Marsh Flow-Way to filter phosphorus and suspended sediments from Lake Apopka. Natural habitats are limited largely to remnant patches along the boundaries of the property. A 700-acre area clean of pesticides has recently been restored and flooded, but this area is now vegetated and not as suitable for shorebirds. The goal is to create approximately 2,000 acres of suitable shorebird habitat during fall migration, and possibly spring migration, and increase the available flooded habitat to 3,000 acres in the next 3 years. However, an unknown percentage of this flooded habitat will be vegetated and thus unsuitable for shorebirds. When the area is completely restored, one can expect that the number and species of shorebirds will reflect the years prior to the restoration project, when this region was a major shorebird migration site.
The State of Florida owns the farmlands, which are managed by the St. Johns Water Management District. The Natural Resources Conservation Service holds a 30-year easement over part of the area. The Restoration Area is currently off-limits to the public. A research project is being conducted to determine the effects of pesticide use on fish-eating birds. Harry Robinson, an avid birder and volunteer, has been surveying the area for the last four years. He counts all species of birds and surveys two times weekly. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: KILL (71), LEYE (1225), SESA (150), LESA (750).
Survey Method: To be determined when the area has been restored.
Selection Bias:
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Currently, the Lake Apopka Restoration Area is not good shorebird habitat, and the current number of shorebirds that pass through the area is very low. PRISM should review the Lake Apopka area on a regular basis to determine if it again becomes attractive to shorebirds as the restoration project is closer to completion.
Local Contacts: Gian Basili, Land Conservation Manager, St. Johns River Water Management District
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
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Description: The Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is located 50 miles southwest of Gainesville, Florida, along the southern edge of the Big Bend Region of Florida’s western coast. The refuge encompasses approximately 800 acres and is composed of 13 offshore islands in the Gulf of Mexico, ranging from one to 165 acres. The lower elevations of the islands, comprising almost forty percent of the total refuge acreage, are subject to frequent tidal flooding and are dominated by salt marsh with patches of mangrove trees. All of the islands are surrounded by shallow sand, mud and grass flats, which make them relatively inaccessible but ideal for shorebirds.
Access to the refuge is by boat only. At low tide few sites along the shore can be reached by boat. Except for the seasonal closures on Seahorse Key, the sandy beaches of all islands are open year-round to general public uses, but the shallow flats make boat landings difficult. In order to protect the nesting birds on Seahorse Key, public entry and use is prohibited from March 1 to June 30. The closed area includes all of Seahorse Key and a 300-foot buffer zone around the island. The interiors of all of the islands, except Atsena Otie Key, are closed to general public use. The Lower Suwannee NWR administers Cedar Keys NWR, which is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The State of Florida owns Derrick Key, which experiences high public disturbance but gets significant numbers of shorebirds.
Audubon Christmas Bird Counts have been conducted at Cedar Key NWR for several years. The refuge recently began surveys at Shell Mound, which is about five miles north of the island of Cedar Key, and Shired Island, which is about 20 miles north of Cedar Key in the Lower Suwannee NWR. The most numerous species based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (19), SEPL (70), KILL (12), AMOY (97), WILL (43), SAND (80), DUNL (800), SBDO (142).
Survey Method: Ground Survey by boat at mid to low tide when the mud flats are exposed. Shell Mound County Road, which is north of Cedar Key, and the bridges that lead to the city of Cedar Keys offer good visibility of shorebirds at some of the islands.
Selection Bias: The islands, which consist of potential Type 1 shorebird habitat, are difficult to access due to extremely shallow water.
Measurement error:
Measurement bias:
Pilot Studies: A survey of all of islands in the refuge is necessary to determine the location of Type 1 habitat.
Local Contacts: Ken Litzenberger, Refuge Manager, Lower Suwannee NWR
Steve Barlow, Biologist, Lower Suwannee NWR
Key West National Wildlife Refuge / Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
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Description: Key West National Wildlife Refuge and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge are located along the Lower Florida Keys in Monroe County. National Key Deer Refuge, whose headquarters are located on Big Pine Key, administers both refuges. The Great White Heron NWR consists of a 290 square mile area of water and unpopulated islands that lie on the north side of the main chain of the Lower Florida Keys, between Marathon and Key West. Key West NWR is located immediately west of Key West, FL and encompasses more than 300 square miles of open water and 2,019 acres of land on 26 islands. The area managed is overwhelmingly marine environment, including large sand flats surrounding the islands that are used extensively by foraging shorebirds. Other habitat includes low mangrove islands and sea grass and coral reef communities.
The Great White Herons NWR’s establishing authority prohibits access to most backcountry islands although some state-owned lands that are managed by the FWS allow public use during daylight hours. Two of the Key West NWR islands have portions of their beaches closed to the public. Portions of Woman Key and Boca Grande Key are posted as closed for the sensitive habitat they contain. The remainder of the beaches, including those at the Marquesas Keys, is open during daylight hours for compatible, wildlife-oriented recreational uses. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns the islands, and the State of Florida owns anything below mean high water level. There are no bridges to the offshore islands, so access to most of Great White Heron NWR and all of Key West NWR is by boat only.
Thomas Wilmers conducted formal shorebird surveys on Marvin Key, located in the Great White Heron NWR, until a hurricane destroyed the key in 1998 and the key was no longer used as a roosting site for shorebirds at high tide. During the summer and winter months, Mr. Wilmers conducts turtle and wading bird surveys at Key West NWR and simultaneously conducts PIPL surveys.
Several thousands of shorebirds feed on the vast expanse of tidal flats during low tide, but the birds are spread out over several miles on the flats, which are mostly inaccessible. The location of the shorebirds during high tide is unknown, but SBDO and WILL are sometimes spotted along the mangrove roots. Mr. Wilmers will spend a total of two days to help us survey and will provide a flats boat as well as his expertise on navigating the waters, which is very difficult due to extremely low water levels and unmarked channels. According to Mr. Wilmers, five to six shorebird species use the area: BBPL, SBDO, LEYE, GRYE, WILL.
Survey Method: Boat survey at low tide when the shorebirds are feeding along the emerged flats. The area experiences four tides in 24 hours, so only a total of 4 to 5 hours would be available in a day to conduct the survey at low tide. This barely allows enough time to survey the best sites, while other sites that have substantial numbers of shorebirds will not be surveyed. The surveys will need to be conducted quickly to cover as much area as possible, so a minimum of three people will be necessary to count as many birds as possible in the short window of time available.
Selection Bias: The majority of tidal flats, which is Type 1 habitat, is inaccessible, and a thorough count of all shorebirds is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: If possible, a survey plan should be created that would enable a more complete count of the shorebirds. If the location of the shorebirds at high tide can be determined, a survey at high tide may produce more accurate counts and reduce the overwhelming difficulty of conducting a survey at low tide. An aerial survey may be difficult due to various flying restrictions as well as species identification of shorebirds.
Local Contacts: Thomas Wilmers, Biologist, National Key Deer Refuge
Everglades National Park
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Description: Everglades National Park spans the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. The U.S National Park Service owns and manages Everglades NP.
Type 1 habitat occurs in two locations: Lake Ingraham and Snake Bight. Lake Ingraham is a large lake located off of Cape Sable that experiences mud flat conditions at low tide when the water level is very low. Snake Bight is a small bay located on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. Low tide exposes the extensive mud flats of Snake Bight. The two-mile Snake Bight Trail, which is currently closed, goes through the mangrove forest to Snake Bight and ends in a boardwalk out into the mudflats. Call the park service for an update on the status of the trail.
Some aerial and ground surveys have been conducted by park personnel in the past but not for a consistent or long period of time. The most numerous species at Lake Ingraham based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (250), SNPL (30), WIPL (74), SEPL (130), LEYE (55), WILL (365), WHIM (24), REKN (122), LESA (450), SBDO (140), DUNL (500), MAGO (35). The most numerous species at Snake Bight based on maximum counts from the International Shorebird Surveys are: BBPL (41), WIPL (122), SEPL (160), LEYE (250), W0ILL (900), WHIM (68), REKN (120), SBDO (350), DUNL (177), MAGO (200).
Survey Method: Lake Ingraham: Boat survey at low tide when the mud flats are exposed along a marked channel that runs the length of the lake. Snake Bight: Survey by boat during low tide in the deeper channels. Visibility is excellent with a spotting scope. Another option for surveying Snake Bight is via the boardwalk at the end of Snake Bight Trail, if the trail is open. During low tide the birds will be too far away to view with a spotting scope from the boardwalk, so the best time to survey the birds at this location is when high tide pushes the birds closer to shore to feed.
Selection Bias: The optimal survey time at low tide limits the survey route along the deeper channels, which prevents complete coverage of Lake Ingraham, as well as Snake Bight. Park personnel attempted to access the entire lake during surveys at low tide with no success.
Measurement error: *
Measurement bias: *
Pilot Studies: Variable conditions will influence the distance the shorebirds feed from the shore in Snake Bight, which may be as far as ten miles from the shore during low tide. Therefore, the actual location of the birds needs to be determined in order to create a method for surveying Snake Bight. Also, note that shorebirds move around in the area depending on the tide level and other conditions.
Local Contacts: Oron "Sonny" L. Bass, Jr., Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, South Florida Natural Resource Center, Everglades National Park
References
Pranty, Bill. The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000-2002. Submitted transcript.
Birds of Polk County, Florida
Canadian Wildlife Service. Canadian Shorebird Conservation Plan. Accessed August 2008.
.
Cayo Costa State Park. Florida Park System.
Park Brochure:
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
General Brochure:
Tear Sheet:
Map:
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Fact Sheet:
Everglades National Park. National Park Service.
Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
General Brochure:
Florida State Parks Online Park Guide.
Anastasia State Park.
Caladesi Island State Park.
Cayo Costa State Park.
Honeymoon Island State Park.
Stump Pass Beach State Park.
Egmont Key State Park.
Friends of Lake Apopka. Lake Apopka Restoration Area:
Habitat Monitoring at Shell Key Preserve, Pinellas County, Florida. Provided by Shell Key Preserve.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
General Brochure:
Map of the Area:
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
General Brochure:
Map:
Black Point Wildlife Drive:
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Fact Sheet:
San Carlos Bay – Bunche Beach Preserve Land Stewardship Plan. Draft. 2003 June 3.
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Fact Sheet:
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Shorebird Plan. Accessed August 2008.
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