We are using historical data and reference site data from the Myakka River to develop restoration expectations for various attributes of the river channel avian community. By comparing baseline data to post restoration data, we will evaluate the restoration project's success in re-establishing expected bird use of the river channel habitats. Abundance and number of shorebird species along the river channel Species composition and relative abundance of waterbirds using the river channel. River channel surveys were conducted monthly between in 9 remnant river channels. The entire remnant river channel was surveyed by airboat and all birds observed within the littoral vegetation or river channel were recorded.
Waterbirds are the largest and most common group of birds using river channels.
Eighteen species of waterbird and wading birds were observed during two years of boat surveys. This indicates that waterbird communities within river channels in the channelized system more closely resembles a pond environment than a flowing river. This information will serve as baseline data, which will be compared to post-restoration data to measure changes in bird use that can be attributed to the restoration project. At least three points per habitat in Pools A-D were censused once per month between sunrise and three hours after sunrise. The bird community in wetland shrubs is not expected to change much, although the species of vegetation will change from Wax Myrtle to Willow and Buttonbush.