Wading Bird Nesting Success in the Water Conservation Areas of the Everglades, 1993

Abstract

This report documents breeding numbers, reproductive success, and foraging dispersion of long-legged wading birds in the Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) of the Everglades during the first six months of 1993. Briefly, the 1993 spring had abnormally high water and windy conditions throughout the season, and produced poor nesting effort, low to moderate nesting success, and low production of young. Some species, like Wood Storks and White Ibises, did not nest at all in the WCAs. Others, like Great Egrets and Tricolored Herons, showed considerably tenacity under the extremely poor nesting conditions. The 1993 season provided a rare chance to record the reproductive responses of wading birds during sustained high water conditions. (108 page document)