Conservationists are sounding the alarm about the Florida scrub jay, the only bird found exclusively in Florida. This bright blue songbird relies on scrub habitat, which has been severely reduced by development and the prevention of natural wildfires.
By 1993, the population had plummeted by over 90%, leaving fewer than 10,000 birds across the state. While the scrub jay population at Duette Preserve in Manatee County is on the rise thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, the situation is different on state-owned lands managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
Experts worry that without timely prescribed burns, these overgrown lands could drive scrub jays away, leaving them with fewer nesting sites.
Declining Numbers at SWFWMD Preserve
According to Florida Audubon, scrub jay sightings have significantly declined at the Little Manatee River Southfork Tract, a 971-acre preserve managed by SWFWMD. From 2012 to 2020, an average of two scrub jay families were recorded each year, but there have been no sightings since 2021.
Despite this, Audrey DeRose-Wilson, Audubon Florida’s director of bird conservation, believes the habitat can still support scrub jays if properly managed.
Other state-managed sites, like SWFWMD’s Gilley Creek and Moody Branch, have seen increases in scrub jay populations. However, inconsistent land management could jeopardize these gains.
Concerns for the Future
Avian ecologist Zach Holmes highlighted SWFWMD’s history of poor habitat management due to a lack of prescribed fires. He estimates that SWFWMD owns about 30% of the public lands where scrub jays are found in Southwest Florida.
Holmes stresses the need for robust management and collaboration, which has been successful at other sites in East Manatee County but lacking at SWFWMD properties.
Kay Prophet, an ornithologist and past president of the Manatee County Audubon Society, pointed out that state properties have become overgrown, making them unsuitable for scrub jays. Although there have been efforts to apply prescribed burns, Prophet questions whether SWFWMD has enough resources to keep up.
SWFWMD’s Response
SWFWMD spokesperson Susanna Martinez Tarokh stated that the agency’s primary focus is protecting state water resources and natural systems, not specifically managing wildlife species.
However, she noted that the agency conducts responsible land management activities when endangered species are present. Despite applying prescribed fire to parts of the Southfork Tract over the past decade, planned burns in 2023 and 2024 were canceled due to drought conditions.
Optimism and Future Efforts
Michael Elswick, a division manager of Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department, believes that better land management could further improve the local scrub jay population. He emphasized the importance of maintaining habitats through regular prescribed fires and controlling invasive species.
Holmes encouraged SWFWMD to accept assistance in managing its lands, noting that collaborative efforts are crucial for scrub jay recovery. Programs like Manatee County’s Environmental Lands Program could help expand scrub jay territory by acquiring more conservation land.
Despite the challenges, conservationists remain hopeful. Holmes and Prophet both stress the importance of proactive management to prevent the scrub jay from becoming extinct. The upcoming Jay Watch bird count in June and July will reveal if there are any improvements in scrub jay sightings at the Southfork Tract.
By focusing on effective land management and collaboration, there is optimism for the future of the Florida scrub jay in Manatee County.