Use the links below to observe each visit's progress. These pages will contain a recap of the day and the counts, along with a few pictures of the colony.

May 21, 2006

• Previous weeks galleries:
  • March 12, 2006
  • March 18, 2006
• April 1, 2006
• April 9, 2006
• April 16, 2006
• April 23, 2006
• April 30, 2006
• May 7, 2006
• May 14, 2006

Background:

"Wood storks have never been part of the animal collection, but have always been naturally occurring visitors, attracted by the abundance of food, the artificially regulated water levels, and the availability of suitable nesting and roosting trees.

History of rookery at the Jacksonville Zoo:

In 1999, 7 pairs did not successfully fledge any chicks.
In 2000, 12 pairs successfully fledged 19 chicks (1.58 nestlings per nest).
In 2001, 21 pairs successfully fledged 45 chicks (2.14 nestlings per nest).
In 2002, 40 pairs successfully fledged 111 chicks (2.78 nestlings per nest).
In 2003, 77 pairs successfully fledged 191 chicks (2.48 nestlings per nest).
In 2004, 74 pairs successfully fledged 208 chicks (2.81 nestlings per nest).
In 2005, 82 pairs successfully fledged 219 chicks (2.67 nestlings per nest).
Currently, the Zoo’s colony is the most important recently established rookery in Duval County."
 

Timing:

Kevin and Marie Dailey monitor and count each weekend - mostly on Sunday mornings, but sometimes on Saturday depending on schedules and special events.

The Zoo's Curator of Birds, Donna Bear-Hull, checks on the colony during each shift. Donna also contacts the volunteers each year when the storks start settling in, and brings us out to start monitoring once nest building is underway. This usually happens in March, and the season runs through July.

Technique:

Coming Soon!

Monitoring:

Coming Soon!

More information: