Growth may be reducing the number of birds in Indian River County

A month from nesting season, bird watchers say Pelican Island is not being inhabited by large flocks of migratory birds.

By ED BIERSCHENK
December 29, 2005

PELICAN ISLAND — A century after the birds around this historic island in the Indian River Lagoon were threatened by hunters seeking their feathers for women's hats and other apparel, an explosion of growth might be threatening them once again.

Thousands of white pelicans and other species traditionally flock to the historic island as they migrate south. Nesting season is still about a month away, but the large flocks of migratory birds that usually stop over by the island this time of year are noticeably absent, according to Refuge Range Joanna Taylor.

"We're just not seeing the number of birds we usually do," Taylor said.

Large flocks of the birds usually arrive by the end of November based on migratory patterns.

Exactly why the birds have not flocked to the island in their usual numbers this year is not known.

The Christmas Bird Count overseen by the National Audubon Society is still under way in Florida and elsewhere, but it appears other areas of the state are seeing healthy numbers of birds.

Richard Baker, president of the Pelican Island Audubon Society, said he hasn't been out by the island, but saw quite a few birds on a recent outing elsewhere in the lagoon.

At the same time, Baker said people have been contacting the local Audubon office reporting they are seeing fewer birds in the area.

Ann Paul, Tampa Bay regional coordinator for Audubon of Florida, said the number of birds appeared to look pretty good in her area when she was out participating recently in one of the counts. About 60 different species were observed, including huge flocks of ducks.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Ranger Dorn Whitmore said this year seems to be better in terms of bird numbers after several years of decline.

"We have been in decline for the last 10 to 15 years," he said.

Whitmore suspects the numbers around Pelican Island are down for reasons other than birds simply stopping at his refuge rather than the one in Indian River County.

Whitmore said birds roosting at Pelican Island often will head over to the area around Blue Cypress Lake and the Stick Marsh to feed. Water levels in those areas are up, Whitmore said, which may make it more difficult for some of the wading birds that roost at Pelican Island to feed.

Some officials have expressed concern about the health of the lagoon and at least one state study appeared to suggest fish numbers dropped off significantly moving south from the inlet. Whitmore said it is possible the drop off in bird numbers might be an indicator of the health of the lagoon.

"Nothing's changed at Pelican Island, really," said Whitmore.

Baker said he has been concerned in general about the loss of habitat in the burgeoning area as well as pollution going into the lagoon. Indian River County officials are in the process of spending millions of dollars trying to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the lagoon from the canals that run throughout the county.

"The quality of the river is declining," said Baker, who applauded the county's storm-water plans as well as conservation efforts by the St. Johns River Water Management District in the western portion of the county.

In addition to the local impacts to the river and habitat, Baker suggested global warming is playing a role in when birds migrate as well as where they migrate.

• The Christmas Bird Count for northern Indian River and southern Brevard County will take place Sunday.

• For information, contact Roy Book at (321) 773-4618 or Richard Baker, president of Pelican Island Audubon Society, at (772) 388-1572

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