Rainfall and water level update from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Sunset over the wet prairie at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. R J WILEY / COURTESY PHOTO

Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary plays a central and critical role in the network of conservation lands within the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) and the Western Everglades. The primary goal of its research program is to collect and provide ecological data to land managers, its policy team, and decision makers to drive the conservation and restoration of our Western Everglades ecosystems.

Audubon staff have monitored rainfall and water levels at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary since 1954. Over time, water levels have fallen as a result of regional wetland loss, on the order of tens of thousands of acres over the last 25 years, as well as drainage of many remaining wetlands, including those near the Sanctuary.

Since the mid- 2000s, the hydroperiod, or amount of time when surface water stays on land, has gotten shorter, resulting in a more drastic dry down each spring. This year, however, due to the rainy winter, water levels have been fairly consistent with historic water levels. While rain is usually good news, too much water during nesting season means prey fish can spread out across the landscape, making it difficult for wading birds to find fish.

Speaking of wading birds, staff conducted the fourth Wood Stork survey flight of the 2024 nesting season on Tuesday, March 5. Lenore Island (in the Caloosahatchee River) and BC-29 (west of State Road 29, north of Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge) exhibited the only Wood Stork nesting activity out of the three colony sites in Southwest Florida that have been active in recent years. While Wood Stork nesting was observed at both colonies, most of the wading birds at BC-29 were Great Egrets and Cattle Egrets, with some Roseate Spoonbills. No wading bird nesting activity was observed at the historic Corkscrew colony.

Due to the unusually rainy dry season, water levels are higher than normal throughout the system, so prey fish are not concentrated. As El Niño weather patterns weaken and water levels begin to fall, foraging conditions should improve for Wood Storks and other wading birds. The next survey flight is scheduled for early April.

Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and recognized as a Wetland of Distinction by the Society of Wetland Scientists, has protected the world’s largest remaining, old-growth bald cypress forest since 1954. Tens of thousands of visitors annually explore the Sanctuary’s 2.25 miles of boardwalk through ancient forest, marsh, and upland habitats. Memberships and donations provide crucial support for conservation work at the Sanctuary. Learn more at corkscrew. audubon.org . ¦

The post Rainfall and water level update from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary first appeared on Bonita Springs Florida Weekly .