RESTORATION BIRD COUNT

Background

In 2006, officers from the West Volusia Audubon Society attended a “charette” at what would come to be called Restoration in Edgewater, Florida.  While touring the property, one member sighted a Swallow-tailed Kite.  One of the biologists present said that she must have been mistaken because Swallow-tailed Kites don’t live or nest in this area.  However, it was the biologist who was mistaken and the Developer invited Audubon back to conduct STK nesting surveys with a promise to protect trees where these birds nested.

WVAS asked for the assistance of Dr. Ken Meyer, a well-known Swallow-tailed Kite researcher, who provided us with training & education on STKs.  Though we have only identified a couple of nests in the years that followed, we have been welcomed back each spring & summer to attempt to find more nests.  GPS coordinates of active nests are relayed back to Dr. Meyer and his staff.

As time passed and the Development of Regional Impact process continued, Audubon of Florida worked with Volusia County and various state agencies to try and set aside land for conservation.  Later the footprint of the development was moved to the eastern side, adjacent to I-95.  Plans for a golf course were cancelled.  In late 2009 the planned “Conservation Hamlet” area that jutted out from the west side of the footprint was cancelled.  Local groups continue to question the viability of our water resources to support the density of this project.

Once the boundaries of the conservation area were known, WVAS proposed doing a long-term citizen science bird survey of the area to measure the success of restoration efforts over the years.

The land was a tree farm that was neglected for many years, so the conservation area is overgrown with Slash Pine and drained by numerous ditches.  Restoration plans include removing these pines and any invasive exotics.  Long-leaf Pines will be left alone and upland areas will be restored by manual means and by fire.  One botanist noted that if the land is properly restored, it is possible that Rugel’s Pawpaw could make a come back from dormancy underneath the soil (this plant has been found in the northeast part of the property).   Areas that were once wetlands will also be restored and the ditch system restructured to ensure water-levels necessary for a properly functioning wetland.

The restoration work has not yet begun, giving us time to establish a baseline count of the area.  Though our routes may change over time as restoration work occurs, the same area will be surveyed in the years ahead.  The number and species of birds in this green corridor of Volusia County will be an important measure of the success of restoration efforts.