Wading Bird Populations and Distributions in the Water Conservation Areas of the Everglades: The 1988-1989 Season
Hoffman W, Sawicki RJ, Bancroft G. 1989. Wading Bird Populations and Distributions in the Water Conservation Areas of the Everglades: The 1988-1989 Season. South Florida Water Management District Contract #396-M87 -0345-A2. Ornithological Research Unit: National Audubon Society
This report covers the fifth dry season of Systematic Reconnaissance Flight (SRF) surveys of wading birds in the Water Conservation Areas (WCAs). This is the third season of surveys by National Audubon Society (NAS) personnel and the third annual report. The SRF program began in 1984 with a pilot study in Shark Slough and adjacent areas of Everglades National Park (ENP). The pilot study, organized by Martin Fleming, was used to measure the efficacy of the SRF method and to determine optimum flight parameters (altitude, ground-speed, strip widths, percent coverage). In 1985, the program was expanded with participation of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC), to include the Water Conservation Areas and the Big Cypress National Preserve. Following the 1985-1986 dry season, the SFWMD contracted with the National Audubon Society for the surveys of the Water Conservation Areas. For the 1988-1989 dry season, the survey area was expanded to include the Rotenberger Tract, Holey Land, and the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). The methods section of this report includes a description of our survey grid and our data collection and analysis systems. In the results section, we describe seasonal patterns of wading bird abundance and distribution, and habitat use. The birds' habitat use is analyzed with respect to major vegetation associations and to our water categories.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Hoffman, Wayne; Sawicki, Richard; Bancroft, G. Thomas
- Date of Issue
- 1989
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- bird habitat, Foraging, SRF, vegetation associations, water categories