Rookery Platform Construction
“We are currently working on developing a wading bird rookery on and around the two new islands created in the restoration of the Preserve. As a first step in creating wading bird habitat, we are going to provide artificial nesting platforms to draw birds to the area. After researching, we’ve found and are going to build and install two versions of Osprey platforms that have been used for years in the states and internationally. They are very solid and will support any and all wading birds that may be drawn to the area. We may choose one or both for future use in the project. We will also research and implement a plan to create and improve the natural nesting environment on the islands,” shares rookery project chair Lary Stuhmiller. Lary is truly in his element at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. Formerly, he was active in wildlife conservation efforts and annually assisted the New York Conservation Department in stocking trout in local streams before relocating to Cape Haze where the Preserve is now his 80-acre backyard.
In the eastern and central areas of the Preserve, four of the old golf course freshwater ponds have been re-contoured, expanded, and interconnected with more than 60,000 wetland plants added along the banks. In the western Preserve, the acreage of estuarine Lemon Creek has been tripled and additional plants have been added. The new plants help filter stormwater that comes into the Preserve from surrounding neighborhoods to reduce the nutrient levels before the water flows out into Lemon Bay. The expanded wetlands also provide excellent foraging habitat for shorebirds.
Lary researched artificial nesting platforms on YouTube. Videos were instrumental in helping to understand how to construct and most importantly how to install the platforms. “The best examples that I found were Osprey nesting platforms, built by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager, of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. After viewing them, I had a lot of questions about how to apply their plans to our locations and situation and he provided a great deal of information back to me.” Lary explained.
A second set of plans from the International Osprey Foundation varied just slightly in nest box size and construction materials. While platform designs can vary in materials or additions, the basic platform is a sturdy wooden box mounted on a 12 – 20 foot, 6″ x 6” post. Based on the exact location that the platforms will be placed and how many volunteers are present for the installation, there are multiple options for installing them.
Wading bird populations are stressed by foraging habitat decline and loss, due in part to development and a lowered dry season water table. The ability of Southwest Florida wetlands to continue supporting nesting depends on addressing wetland degradation and loss as well as protecting hydrologic function of all remaining wetlands.
The western rookery island, where the initial platforms will be placed, has very little vegetation, so the basic idea is to build artificial nesting platforms that will create immediate nesting locations and, over time, to populate the island with native trees and shrubs that will hopefully provide future nesting habitat.
Hands on construction of the platforms requires two or three people. Transport to the island, via land and water, requires four or more volunteers. Due to the heavy lumber used in construction, raising and stabilizing the platforms requires 7-8 volunteers. The first platforms are currently under construction and are scheduled to be erected during the month of January 2022.
If you would like to get involved, please contact the LBC office at 941-830-8922 or send us an email at LBConservancy@comcast.net. We also are seeking additional funds to build the nesting platforms and purchase plants. Contact the office to make your special Rookery Island donation, or make your contribution online by clicking on this link: Rookery Island Donations
By Tonya Bramlage
LBC Volunteer