Hunting, waterfowl banding, wildlife censuses, vegetative transects and water level recorders are used to monitor and manage wildlife populations and habitat conditions. A wildlife habitat is improved through the use of wildlife clearings, forest thinning and planting, and prescribed burning. February Ospreys begin nesting. Watch for aerial courtship displays of red-tailed hawks. Brown-headed nuthatches become active.
Wild turkeys seek mates during the latter part of the month.
March Overwintering ducks, tree swallows, robins, phoebes, cedar waxwings and the greater sandhill cranes depart for northern nesting areas. Purple martins, parula warblers and eastern kingbirds arrive. Watch for the nesting dances of resident Florida sandhill cranes. Wildflowers begin to bloom as the prairies fill with Golden Club and Bladderworts. Bass begin to spawn.