Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, University of Central Florida researchers, and volunteers from the local chapters of the Audubon Society and the Florida Ornithological Society
What: This is the second year the District is coordinating a bird banding day at the Weekiwachee Preserve, which is located along the Hernando County Coast, west of the Weeki Wachee River. The volunteers will help District staff net sparrows and other birds. Only District staff and researchers who have specialized training and federal and state permits are allowed to handle the birds.
When: Saturday, Jan. 24, 6:30 a.m. to noon
Additional Information: The bird banding is part of a national census to determine why there has been a decline in grassland bird populations.
District On-site Contact: Clay Black, senior professional engineer 352-279-4757 (cell) or Mary Barnwell, senior land management specialist 352-279-1174 (cell)
Directions: Take U.S. 19 north to Osowaw Boulevard and turn left, go approximately 1.5 miles until you see the entrance on your right.
Weekiwachee Preserve Bird Banding
•The bird banding will take place Jan. 24 from 6:30 a.m. until noon.
•District staff and University of Central Florida researchers and volunteers will set up long lines of mist nets across the grasslands and flush the birds into the nets.
•Only District staff and researchers who have specialized training and federal and state permits are allowed to handle the birds.
•Approximately 50 volunteers from the local chapters of the Audubon Society and the Florida Ornithological Society took part in last year’s bird banding day. Volunteers from the groups will participate in this year’s event as well because it allows them the opportunity to take close-up photos.
•Last year’s study determined that the Weekiwachee Preserve provides winter habitat for Henslow’s, LeConte’s, and Grasshopper sparrows. This year’s goal is to determine if the banded birds return to the site. Birds that return to a specific site have a greater chance of surviving the winter than other birds because they spend less time moving from one area to another searching for food. This trait is known as “site fidelity.” However, while birds with site fidelity may spend less energy searching for food, they are also at a much greater risk of dying if the site is altered and can no longer provide the resources they require and they lack the ability to move to other sites.
•The bird banding is part of a national census to determine why there has been a decline in grassland bird populations. The decline has happened over the past few decades. Researchers are trying to determine if the decline is due to impacts to the northern summer breeding grounds, resulting in reduced chick production, or impacts to the southern wintering grounds, contributing to lower survival through the winter.
•The Weekiwachee Preserve is located along the Hernando County coast, west of the Weeki Wachee River.
•The preserve was acquired in 1995 with funding from the Florida Forever Program.
•The 9,000-acre preserve is made up of a variety of habitats including several miles of Weeki Wachee River frontage, dense hardwood swamps, fresh and saltwater marshes, pine-covered sandhills and grasslands.