Mark Fuge
01-21-2011, 01:34 PM
This is from the current issue of Habi-Chat of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Association. We have not been up there lately, so I don't know how bad it is, but this is for those planning to go in the near future. You may want to check any updates, if this is your prime shooting area during your stay.
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Habi-Chat <O:p></O:p>
Newsletter of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association <O:p></O:p>
Volume 16 Number 4 Winter 2010 <O:p></O:p>
<O:p> </O:p><O:p></O:p>
Lack of Rains Means Less Winter Wildlife<O:p></O:p>
Merritt Island NWR has experienced a lack of rainfall throughout the year leading to severe drought conditions. Despite the active hurricane season, the refuge hasn’t received rainfall from tropical systems that often provide late season water to fill the impoundments. Additionally, the lagoon water levels which normally peak in October did not rise as high as in past years and have begun dropping down to dry season levels.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
Waterfowl food production within the refuge impoundments is dependent upon the timing and abundance of rainfall. The submerged aquatic vegetation, the primary food available to waterfowl at Merritt Island NWR, is dependent on low salinity conditions. Due to the lack of rainfall and high salinity, production of submerged aquatic vegetation on the refuge is very limited. <O:p></O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
Many impoundments which wildlife have depended upon in the past have become hyper-saline as water has evaporated and not been replaced by rain. These conditions have led us to open the impoundments to the lagoon to allow the salt to flush out. This temporarily limits habitat availability but prevents long term damage to the vegetation.
<O:p></O:p>
Most impoundments are currently more conducive for shorebirds than waterfowl and waders. The high salinity and low water levels have been favorable for reddish egrets and many can be seen where you would normally be watching ducks. The one bright spot are the marshes along the road to Playalinda Beach which are holding a diverse assortment of waterfowl and a large number of coots. <O:p></O:p>
Stan Howarter, Refuge Biologist <O:p></O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
*********************************************
Habi-Chat <O:p></O:p>
Newsletter of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association <O:p></O:p>
Volume 16 Number 4 Winter 2010 <O:p></O:p>
<O:p> </O:p><O:p></O:p>
Lack of Rains Means Less Winter Wildlife<O:p></O:p>
Merritt Island NWR has experienced a lack of rainfall throughout the year leading to severe drought conditions. Despite the active hurricane season, the refuge hasn’t received rainfall from tropical systems that often provide late season water to fill the impoundments. Additionally, the lagoon water levels which normally peak in October did not rise as high as in past years and have begun dropping down to dry season levels.<O:p></O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
Waterfowl food production within the refuge impoundments is dependent upon the timing and abundance of rainfall. The submerged aquatic vegetation, the primary food available to waterfowl at Merritt Island NWR, is dependent on low salinity conditions. Due to the lack of rainfall and high salinity, production of submerged aquatic vegetation on the refuge is very limited. <O:p></O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
Many impoundments which wildlife have depended upon in the past have become hyper-saline as water has evaporated and not been replaced by rain. These conditions have led us to open the impoundments to the lagoon to allow the salt to flush out. This temporarily limits habitat availability but prevents long term damage to the vegetation.
<O:p></O:p>
Most impoundments are currently more conducive for shorebirds than waterfowl and waders. The high salinity and low water levels have been favorable for reddish egrets and many can be seen where you would normally be watching ducks. The one bright spot are the marshes along the road to Playalinda Beach which are holding a diverse assortment of waterfowl and a large number of coots. <O:p></O:p>
Stan Howarter, Refuge Biologist <O:p></O:p>
<O:p></O:p>