Today the South Florida Water Management District released the annual wading bird report (http://bit.ly/1e1crDm), which indicated a positive year of nesting efforts across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

The 2013 nesting season is estimated to be 57% higher than the average for 2010-2012. A total of 48,291 wading bird nests were recorded across South Florida, with White Ibis, Wood Storks, and Great Egrets having the largest increases in nesting success. More information on specific regions can be found in Audubon's latest Fact Sheet: 2013 Wading Bird Nesting in the Everglades: Audubon Scientists See Progress for Birds in Critical Habitat.

For the second year in a row the number of Roseate Spoonbill nests in Florida Bay has increased, with 367 Spoonbill nests recorded in 2013. As an Audubon priority species, the Spoonbill data is especially encouraging and reflects a reversal of the steady decline of nesting documented in 2005-2011.

Audubon scientists have documented the regrowth of submerged aquatic vegetation and more favorable salinity levels in Florida Bay since the C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project started operating last year, and predict that these changes should lead to even larger increases in Roseate Spoonbill nesting within the next few years. These improved conditions are beneficial to forage fish, which are the primary food source of Spoonbills. The data provided in the SFWMD report is early evidence that the ecosystem is responding positively to Everglades restoration projects.

"The health and quality of habitat in Florida Bay is improving - habitat that Roseate Spoonbills, game fish, and crocodiles depend on," said Jerry Lorenz, State Director of Research. Lorenz added, "I'm hopeful that as new restoration projects come on line we will see wading birds returning in larger numbers to their historic nesting grounds in the Everglades." 

Nesting was also strong in Lake Okeechobee, with multiple bird species producing successful nests. A total of 8,461 nests were recorded, more than double the effort seen in 2012.This is a dramatic change from as recently as 2008, when only 39 nests were recorded. Great Egret, White Ibis, and Snowy Egret were the most abundant birds nesting in the area.

"Lake Okeechobee is a critical habitat for many important species that need protection," said Dr. Paul Gray, Audubon's Lake Okeechobee Sanctuaries Manager. "In the summer of 2012, Lake Okeechobee's water level was higher than usual, which gave fish populations a chance to rebound. During the annual dry season these tiny fish are forced to congregate in the increasingly shallow water, making it easier for wading birds to find enough food for themselves and their chicks."

As Everglades restoration projects move forward, Audubon expects Florida's wading birds to return to their historic nesting areas where they once thrived in great numbers.

You can download Audubon's supplemental fact sheet here: http://bit.ly/1bZZQw8. For more information, please contact Dr. Tabitha Cale at 786-295-4954. 

**A previous edition of this press release featured an incorrect number of Roseate Spoonbill nests. It has been corrected in the version above.