Florida drought concentrates wading birds
The Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp is located in southern Florida, a little north and east of Naples. It is home to the largest North American nesting colony of Wood Storks. Other long-legged wading birds, such as the Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and Great Blue Heron are also at home in the swamp.
Because of the recent drought, the swamp is not too swampy these days. Water levels typically reach a minimum in May, but the Corkscrew is 17 inches behind in rainfall and is already at the May low-water level.
Wood Stork
The drought is threatening the nesting season for birds like the Wood Stork. Remaining areas of shallow water are being heavily used for feeding and many birds are leaving the swamp to search for food along roadside ditches or on golf course ponds. The Wood Storks are using so much energy finding food for themselves, they are not nesting for the second year in a row.