The third Wood Stork survey of the 2022 nesting season was conducted on February 10. Wood Stork nesting activity was observed at two of the five known colony sites in Southwest Florida: BC-29 (west of SR-29, north of Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge) and Lenore Island (Caloosahatchee River west of I-75).  

An estimated 20-22 nests were observed at BC-29 and an estimated 80-85 nests were observed on Lenore Island, where eggs were confirmed in some nests. These numbers are estimates and do not reflect the actual number of nests at each location.

At the Corkscrew colony, we observed no wading bird nesting, but a mixed flock that included White Ibis and Great Egrets was seen foraging in the Sanctuary’s north marsh.

January rainfall was 0.32" which was lower than our average rainfall amount for January (2.32"). 

Water levels are within the typical range for this time of year, but beginning to fall quickly.