Rare birds are thriving and multiplying on spoil islands in Tampa Bay

TAMPA - Motoring out from the industrial, not-so-scenic shore of Tampa Bay, Mark Rachal of the Audubon Society takes us to a place off limits to people, dogs -- anything without wings.

"There are no raccoons, no bobcats, no cats they have to worry about," said Rachal.

From pelicans, to roseate spoonbills, to white ibises, this spoil island called the Alafia Bank was formed by the dumping of millions of tons of sand and sludge dredged from the bottom of Tampa Bay to create deep shipping channels. The spoil island has since been given back to nature and has become a magnet for nesting shore birds.

"We estimate about 10,000 pairs of white ibis are on the Alafia Bank this year, probably the largest colony in the state right now," Rachal said.

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Tampa Bay oystercatcher count could help secure future of bird

Oystercatchers take wing in Tampa Bay with the skyline of Tampa in the distance. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and volunteers on an aerial and ground survey of East Coast oystercatchers.

The tall birds with pale pink legs and bright orange beaks congregated on a spit of sand in The Kitchen area of Hillsborough Bay Wednesday, making a census that much easier.

Mark Rachal, sanctuary manager for Audubon Florida, slowly motored toward the tiny sandbar. With binoculars and a GPS at the ready, he counted American oystercatchers in one of the more natural areas of Tampa Bay, filled with clear water, seagrass and mangrove islands, and in the more industrialized Port of Tampa area.

Scientists taking part in the first full count of oystercatchers since 2003 are following their East Coast range in propeller planes from New Jersey to South Texas. The goal of the count is to protect the birds' nesting and foraging habitat and figure out ways to get their population to a healthy level, Rachal said.

On Wednesday staff from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission took to the skies between Cedar Key and Tampa Bay.

Rachal and 14 others were out, verifying the count from the ground. The census can be used by government and various environmental groups when management plans are developed for the birds.

Continued:  http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2013/jan/09/tampa-bay-oystercatcher-count-could-help-secure-fu-ar-602628/