The use of nesting initiation dates of roseate spoonbills ( Ajaia ajaja) in northeastern Florida Bay as an ecosystem indicator for water management practices, 1935--1999

Quantity and timing of freshwater flow from the Everglades to Florida Bay varied under different water management practices in the twentieth century, with negative ecological repercussions. Ecological indicators that respond to differences in hydrology, such as wading bird colony dynamics, can be used for hydrological restoration projects. I examined the possibility of using timing of nesting of Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia ajaja) in northeastern Florida Bay as an ecological indicator. Nest initiation dates (N = 51) from 1936--1999 (x = November 25) were calculated from numerous published and unpublished sources. The dates were strikingly consistent and did not show significant trends over the entire study period, nor did the dates differ among periods of different water management practices. Early dates were not correlated with favorable hydrologic conditions (low water levels, fast drying rates) in spoonbill foraging habitat. Spoonbill timing of nesting appears to be a poor ecological indicator for Florida Bay.