Study Design

Study Area
Historically, the headwaters of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem began just south of Orlando in the southward flowing Kissimmee River system. During the heavy rains of summer, the river would flow into Lake Okeechobee which would then spill water over its southern bank.
Bird Species
Our fieldwork is focused primarily on the reproductive ecology of 11 species within the WCAs - Wood Storks, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and White Ibis are all white-plumaged species easily seen from the air.
Methods
To determine the distribution and total number of Wading Bird nesting pairs throughout the Water Conservation Areas, we conduct systematic monthly aerial surveys over the entire study area from mid-January through mid-June.