Sanibel Island - Whats Happening at the Bailey Tract?

Thursday May 10th

Seems that some of our local birding friends are very unhappy with plans to re-engineer how water is stored on Ding Darlings  Bailey Tract. Many years ago this property was a wetlands and home for animals and birds who thrive in marshy environments.  But as the Sanibel Island was being developed dirt was excavated from  here creating the water-filled borrow pits we see there today.

Sanibel Island Rice Rat

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling/Multimedia/SIRR.aspx

But today a plan is being managed to convert some of these acres back to its former wetlands habitat to support the rare Sanibel Island Rice Rat.  This rodent is a protected sub-species of Marsh Rice Rat totally endemic to Sanibel Island. 

Watch video from the New Press

Ani Pond - scheduled to be  filled-in as part of the conversion

to a wetlands habitat for the Sanibel Island Rice Rat

The filling-in of the Ani Pond, to convert it back into marsh, has stirred up several local birders who have enjoyed the pond, as is, for a great many years. We'll see how this develops.

This morning I stopped in at the Bailey Tract. It had been reported that the property was to be closed to the public by now for the re-construction. But it's still open.  No doubt due to the presence of nesting Black-necked Stilts raising a family here.

Black-necked Stilt Family at Ani Pond

Black Racer seen today at Bailey Tract

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