Crested caracara seen on PI!

Today I was lucky enough to watch a crested caracara eating some dead fish along the side of an embankment. This species is one of my favorites! Unfortunately I wasn't able to snap a clear picture but have this one for your viewing pleasure. 

For more information check out http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/crested-caracara

Spotlight Article

Check out this article in Spotlight Magazine on the importance of partnerships in the fight against invasives!

Prescribed fire season

World Wetland's Day Festival fast approaching...

Our World Wetlands Day Festival falls on Saturday, February 6, 2016. This educational and fun time highlights and celebrates the importance of wetlands. As a designated Wetland of International Importance, it is important that we work to educate people about how vital wetlands are to the planet's and humanity's future. Lots of fun activities are planned for the day, and there will be discovery stations, guided boardwalk tours, a farmer's market, art and music, and more! So come on out and join us.

For more information visit: http://www.corkscrewwetlandsday.com/

Blog reboot! Getting rolling again...

It is a brand new year so the perfect time to reboot my blog! So come along for brand new adventures and learn about the amazing science based conservation and management going on at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary!  To start, the 2nd Annual Corkscrew Corkscrew Watershed Science Forum is tomorrow, January 29. Scientists and land managers from the region will be presenting current research and have discussions on the ecology, conservation, and management of our watershed. You can't beat such an amazing opportunity to learn about Audubon Florida's focus on conservation based in sound science.

For more information and to register: www.CWSF2016.eventbrite.com

View of Corkscrew taken during an aerial survey for birds and invasive plants

Photo: Allyson L. Webb 

View at sunset of the Corkscrew backcountry
Photo: Allyson L. Webb

Swamp Rule #5: Be flexible!

So after my surgery I have had to wear a big bulky boot. It is cumbersome and not easy to work in, especially when on an atv with a foot shifter! Field work often means having to get creative in order to get things done or fixed. So I improvised to either ride side saddle and shift with my right foot or can reach down and use my hand. Where there is a will there is a way!!!

Surgery hiatus

Unfortunately I had to recently undergo surgery for chronic issues with my ankle. So I will be posting some recently taken pictures in the near future for your enjoyment. Stay tuned! 

Swamp rule #4: proper footwear required!

As a land manager, I spend lots of time on my feet: hiking to do bird or vegetation surveys, clambering through saw palmetto to kill Invasives or do interior spot ignition on prescribed fire, tromping through waist deep water while spraying, and a myriad other activities. So it's important to wear proper shoes! And to check on their state on occasion so you don't end up with boots like mine. 

Prescribed fire season

Many people ask about management techniques, and the most economical and best for ecosystem health, in my mind, is prescribed fire. We conduct these on Corkscrew for a variety of reasons. And recently we did one just north of the exit boardwalk at the Visitor Center. Our target habitats were wet prairie and pine flatwoods. The burn went well and hopefully there will be zephyr lilies in the burned area in the coming weeks! 

Retiring the old Swamp Buggy

Well, we had a good run for awhile there, but then you became temperamental and unreliable. You'd run for a day then breakdown. It just became an unhealthy relationship my friend. So after 6 years together, it is time for you to retire and be used for other types of adventures. Thanks for the good times and the laughs!

Swamp Rule #3: Watch out for knees!

Over the next week, when in the field I will be tackling some grasses in drying down cypress fringes. One of the things I learned the hard way in the past is to always ALWAYS watch out for cypress knees! Again, I do often get overzealous when I get into a nice spraying rhythm and sometimes this passion leads me to make bad choices when picking a path through the off-road areas I need to treat. Smaller cypress knees for these fringe areas are often hidden in dense vegetation. While funny, it does delay me. All I can say is thank goodness for winches!

Survey Sunday!

One of the things I love as a resource manager is collaborating with our science director Dr. Shawn Clem on monitoring of wildlife. Luckily, my tenacity with treating in the field has proven my dedication and allows me to do bird surveys as part of the science program she is building. So this morning I am out counting birds which is data for the program and helps me understand the wildlife present and helps me in directing my management efforts. Pretty cool link between science and management right?! 

Plus I get to see beautiful sunrises. 

Reflections of 2014

2014 was definitely a year of ups and downs in the resource management world. Sightings of amazing animals and vistas while tackling invasive plants were peppered with downtime from equipment breakdowns. A second AmeriCorps group came and did an amazing job, and I hosted two Outward Bound groups who learned about Corkscrew and our mission as well as killed some Brazilian pepper for us. I dropped the ball on the blogging side of things, but I am back and better than ever for 2015!

So stay tuned for another year of amazing happenings in the back country at Corkscrew's Panther Island.

AmeriCorps is back!

Last year, a group of AmeriCorps volunteers came to help with resource management. A second group recently arrived and been hard at work learning about the local ecosystems and their flora and fauna while treating Brazilian pepper. One of the cool parts of their trip is their following up and retreating the area the team worked on last year. Just as important as the initial treatment are the subsequent treatments! 

Photo: taking a swamp walk 

Back in action!

Well it has been quite some time since I posted to my blog. I apologize for letting the time get away from me. I have a renewed vigor now that the intern program is up and running again. Plus I just got my hands on a GoPro! So look for new photos, videos, and fun facts from your favorite resource manager soon! Since we just completed out annual butterfly survey with the North American Butterfly Association, I'll leave you with some beautiful shots of our fluttering pollinators!

Get your BOOTS on for conservation!

http://www.audubonbootson.org/

Want to know how you can help conservation...

Protect the land, plants and animals you cherish

And that fascinate you? Check out the link above! 

Swamp Rule #2: Be tenacious!

Today I am working in an area that was once heavily infested with Peruvian primrose willow. I have heard numerous people say you can't remove it with just herbicide...I beg to differ! Timing and being TENACIOUS are two things essential to eradicate this invasive with just herbicide (no mowing or fire). Now to get rid of the Brazilian pepper trying to take over the battlefield where that hard fought battle was won! Keep in mind we are trying to win the war against invasives and an occasional battle will be lost along the way. But tenacity can will see me through.

Swamp Rule #1: Check herbicide lids!

So sometimes in my excitement or spraying groove I forget to check and make sure the lid to my herbicide sprayer of the day is secure. No big deal right?! WRONG! You end with herbicide with blue indicator dye in it splashed down your back when you do this! It makes you look like you waged war with the Smurf village and there was lots of life lost...on their end.

They're back!

This time of year I find myself glancing skyward more regularly and my ears are tuned for a particular sound. Can you guess whose arrival I am awaiting???

Swallow-tailed kites! These beautiful birds are summer migrants that come up from South America. And I am happy to say while I have yet to see one, I did hear two calling out on Panther Island earlier today! Awesome Valentine's Day gift from Mother Nature!

Swamp Rules

So as I go about my work I am often klutzy, sometimes downright stupid (sorry Jason), and always easily amused. I have decided to start a series as part of my blog called "Swamp Rules", a collection of somewhat silly but entertaining anecdotal rules of things to do and NOT do while working in the field. No need for others to reinvent the wheel...might as well learn from my experiences! I hope you'll enjoy.