Report of colonial nesting birds in Biscayne National Park for the 2016–2017 nesting year
Muxo R, Whelan KR, Atkinson AJ. 2021. Report of colonial nesting birds in Biscayne National Park for the 2016–2017 nesting year. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/SFCN/NRDS—2021/1332. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Biscayne National Park (BISC) is home to a myriad of species due to its diverse ecosystems and unique disposition. The habitats within Biscayne National Park consist of rocky coast lines, Biscayne Bay (a shallow water bay), over 40 mangrove islands, and a variety of coral reef systems. This ecosystem borders the large metropolitan area of Miami, suburban developments, a nuclear power plant, and contains several canals that drain from the mainland into Biscayne National Park or close to park boundaries. An added result of the park’s proximity to a large metropolitan area is it’s high level of visitation. The park is a popular destination for fishing, boating and many other recreational activities. These factors and others, such as hurricanes and the introduction of exotic plants, put stressors on the park’s ecosystems. The South Florida / Caribbean Network (SFCN) has developed a long-term monitoring program that focuses on the colonial nesting birds that use park resources for foraging, roosting, and nesting. The South Florida / Caribbean Network uses monthly helicopter flights to survey eight nesting colonies in or near the park. The eight colonies monitored are: Kings Road, Mangrove Key, West Arsenicker Key, Arsenicker Key, Jones Lagoon, Ragged Key 5, Soldier Key, and Kings Bay (Figure 1). We focus on six species of birds: double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), great egrets (Ardea alba), great white herons (Ardea herodias occidentalis), great blue herons (Ardea herodias), white ibises (Eudocimus albus), and roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Muxo, Robert; Whelan, Kevin; Atkinson, Andrea
- Date of Issue
- 2021-11
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- BISC , NRSS , SFCN
- Keywords
- Double-crested cormorant, Great Blue Herons, Great egret, Great White Heron, Roseate spoonbills, White Ibises
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Estuarine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds