Human encroachment in the form of impoundment, highway construction and fires all contributed to the population declines of these species. Birds are still common in impoundment areas. The fish that live in these coastal areas are common food for many birds. Wood storks, reddish egrets, roseate spoonbills, and eight other wading birds are found in impounded areas. Bigger birds, such as the southern bald eagle, are attracted to these areas because of seasonally abundant prey.
Water levels tend to be highest during winter.
These high water periods are followed by a spring drawdown that concentrates food items for nesting wading birds. Many birds visit exposed mud flats during the spring drawdown. Monthly counts of nearly 140,000 ducks and 40,000 coots have been recorded at Kennedy Space Center. Impoundments are a marsh or mangrove swamp which has been totally or partially enclosed with a man-made earthen dike. This allows the marsh to be flooded during mosquito producing season in order to eliminate the laying of eggs.