sebastian area-wide scrub-jay habitat … · sebastian area-wide scrub-jay habitat conservation...
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SEBASTIAN AREASEBASTIAN AREA--WIDE WIDE SCRUBSCRUB--JAY HABITAT JAY HABITAT
CONSERVATION PLAN & CONSERVATION PLAN & Public Use ImprovementsPublic Use Improvements
Beth PowellConservation Lands
ManagerParks DivisionIndian River
County
Description of the HCPAllows for Incidental Take Permits (ITPs) to be issued on “scrub” lots in the Sebastian Highlands– 317 1/4 acre lots totaling (79.3 acres)
ITPs are mitigated by the conservation land acquisitions & management of 324 acres habitable by the Florida Scrub Jay– North Sebastian Conservation Area (406 acres)– Sebastian Highlands Conservation Area (10 acres)– Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area (111 acres)– Pelican Island Elementary School Scrub Lots (+12 acres)– Sebastian Airport Scrub Area (38 acres)
HCP Guidelines & Requirements
Habitat Restoration/Enhancementfor the Florida Scrub-Jay
– mechanical enhancement (timbering, etc.)– prescribed burning– exotics removal
Protection of the Conservation Areas– e.g. fencing, monitoring, patrolling, etc.
Monitoring of the Florida Scrub-Jays and Other “Key” Species– report findings to U.S. Fish & Wildlife annually
The Florida ScrubRanked by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory as Imperiled Globally & in the State of Florida
– 70-85% lost since pre-settlement times (Bergen 1994; Fitzpatrick et al 1994a) and 90% loss in Indian River County(Fernald 1989)
Pyrogenic Community (Fire Dependent) Dominated by Evergreen Oaks (Quercus spp.)
The Florida ScrubOccurring on the Sandy, Well-Drained Soils of Relict Coastal and Inland Dune SystemsUnique to Peninsular FloridaHabitat Loss Due to Commercial & Residential Development
The Florida Scrub-Jay
Blue & Gray Crestless Jay– no difference in size or
color between sexesOnly Bird Endemic to Peninsular FloridaAverage Territory -22 acresFamily Size Ranges from 2-8 IndividualsNaturally “Fearless”
Listed as a Threatened Species by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1987
The Florida Scrub-JayUnique Social System– permanent monogomy– year-round territoriality– cooperative breeding– intrafamilial dominance heirarchy– delayed dispersal - juveniles stay
with parents 1-2 years and help with
• territorial defense• scanning for predators• feeding the nestlings & fledglings
– food caching– sentinel system
The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida
Between 1991-1998 the population of Sebastian’s scrub-jays declined 45% -from 35 breeding pairs to only 16Reasons for population decrease:– habitat loss (development)– habitat fragmentation– decreased nesting success– decreased dispersal success– degraded habitat quality caused by
development & fire exclusion– increased predation by cats, dogs and other predators
not normally found in optimal xeric oak scrub habitat
The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida
Consists of 2 Sub-populations (separated by at least 2.2 miles)
– South population = 9 families (Wabasso SCA, Units 10 & 17 of Sebastian Highlands.)
– North population = 4 families (NSCA)– At least 5 families on the Airport
& P.I.E. properties
The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida
Optimal Habitat Requirements:– >50% shrub layer
being comprised of scrub oaks
– 10-30% open space (bare sand or sparse vegetation
– 0-15% pine canopy cover
– shrub height of 3.9-5.6’
– >328’ from a forest
The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida
Family size averaged 3.0 individuals per groupClutch size average 3.8Median incubation date April 7thMedian hatching date April 24thSuccess rate at 72% nestlings fledgedMean annual productivity 1.9 young fledged per pair, per yearMedian fledging date May 10th70% nesting attempts were successful in fledging at least one young
Scrub-Jay Nesting Success Study in Sebastian, Florida
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Optimal Suboptimal Ancillary Lawn
Management Activities Taking Place:Management Activities Taking Place:North Sebastian Conservation AreaWabasso Scrub Conservation Area
Sebastian Highlands Conservation AreaPelican Island Elementary School Scrub Habitat
Sebastian Airport Scrub Habitat
– Timbering/Pine Canopy Thinning– Fencing and Gating Access Points
– Prescribed Fire/Burn– Mechanical Habitat Enhancement
– Public Use Improvements– Exotics Removal (Flora & Fauna)
– Monitoring
Public Use Improvements
Captain Forster Hammock Preserve
Opened Feb. 17, 2003
Restrooms (above)
Trails (left)
Public Use Improvements
Captain Forster Hammock Preserve
Restrooms/Trailhead (above)
Entrance – IR Lagoon (left)
Funding
North Sebastian Conservation Area funded in part by the Florida
Communities Trust Florida Forever Program
FundingReceived grant through the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
Land & Water Conservation Fund
Total Project Cost: $206,000Restrooms
Parking
Boardwalk/Piers/Observation Tower
ADA Stabilized Nature Trail
ADA Paved Fitness Trail & Equipment
4 miles Biking, Hiking, Horseback Trails
Equestrian Trailhead
Conceptual PlanNORTH SEBASTIAN
CONSERVATION AREA
PUBLIC USE (NEW)
IMPROVEMENTS
Multi-Use Trail - Accessible
Fishing Pier
Boardwalk
Multi-Use Trails
Proposed Fitness Trails/Parking &
Restrooms
Opportunities for Your InvolvementOpportunities for Your Involvement
Pepper BustingSpecies MonitoringVolunteering at “Work Days”“Policing”Conservation Areas
EducationPlant & Animal Inventory HelpAttending Public Scoping Meetings
Why Save the Scrub-Jay?"Men still live who, in their youth remember
pigeons;trees still live that, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a few decades hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last
only the hills will know.We grieve because no living man will ever see again the onrush of victorious birds, sweeping
a path for spring across the March skies, chasing the defeated winter from all of the
woods and prairies.There will always be pigeons in books and in museums but they are dead to all hardships and to all delights. They cannot dive out of a
cloud, nor clap their wings in thunderous applause. They know no urge of seasons; they
feel no kiss of sun, no lash of wind and weather, they live forever by not living at all."
From a Monument to the PigeonAldo Leopold, 1947
Why Save the Scrub-Jay?"Birds are an 'ecological litmus paper'. Because of their rapid metabolism and wide geographical range, they reflect changes in the environment quickly; they warn us of things out of balance sending out signals whenever there is a deterioration in the ecosystem..."- Roger Tory Peterson