ST. JOHNS RIVER:

We flew the area from Lake Harney south to Highway 60 in Indian River County. Overall, the habitat looked fair. We saw a lot of smart weed and wild millet, but the water levels were low so most of this food was not flooded. Areas near the main river runs looked the best. Bird were scattered amongst these areas and in the few backwater potholes that held water. Most flocks we saw contained 10-15 birds, but a few contained more than 100 birds. Species observed included blue-wing teal, northern pintail, American wigeon, gadwall, and mottled ducks. Teal and mottled ducks made up the bulk of the birds seen. We saw the most birds between highways 520 and 528, and highways 50 and 46. The habitat on T.M. Goodwin WMA looked very good and was holding 5000 teal and other species. The habitat on the new Broadmoor unit of the T.M. Goodwin WMA looked fair to good, but only a few hundred teal were observed on the area.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE:

Even though the area was not flown this past week, recent visits to the lake indicate the west-side marshes are in good shape this year. There appears to be adequate food in the form of smartweed and millet. Birds were scattered along the west shore in the open marsh from Indian Prairie Canal to Moonshine Bay

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON:

The scaup are here early again this year. Over 15,000 scaup were observed on the lagoon between Titusville and Melbourne. The impounded areas along the lagoon were holding teal, mottled ducks, American wigeon, northern pintails, and gadwall. Several impoundments were holding 200-300 birds.

CONCLUSION:

There is a lot of food out there this year, and the areas that have water are holding birds. Those hunters who are willing to search out and find these areas should do well. If we are lucky enough to get some rain during the season habitat conditions could improve dramatically. Good luck!