Flight date:  8,10  November 2005

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

East Lake Toho – emergent vegetation, submerged and floating leaved aquatics along perimeter, no waterfowl observed

Lake Toho – north end of lake has grassy islands, emergent vegetation, submerged and floating leaved aquatics, no waterfowl observed – moderate boating/fishing activity --South end of lake little vegetation, marginal to no habitat – no waterfowl observed

Lake Kissimmee  - north end fair amount of emergent and floating leaved aquatic plants – water appears deep – lots of boating activity -- west side- water flooded out into cattle pastures – no waterfowl observed

Kissimmee River – little to no habitat, flooded cattle pastures along river, no waterfowl observed

Kissimmee River PUA – water deep, emergent and floating leaved aquatics, habitat looks acceptable for waterfowl; however, none observed

Lake Istokpoga – fair habitat along east shoreline, Big Island has good waterfowl habitat, water appears high; Bumblebee Island has good waterfowl habitat, no waterfowl observed

Lake Okeechobee -Buckhead Ridge to Fisheating Creek – emergent and floating leaved aquatics, good interspersion lots of open water, water high -  no birds observed.  Moonshine Bay to Coot Bay - emergent and floating leaved aquatics, good interspersion, lots of open water, water high - no birds observed

STA 5 -- emergent and floating leaved aquatics, topped out submerged aquatics (most likely hydrilla); good interspersion with a fair amount of open water, 3000 teal, 500 ring-necked ducks, 200 mottled ducks, 5000 coot

Upper St. John’s River Basin

Blue Cypress Recreation Area (Garcia) – emergent and floating leaved aquatics, topped out submerged aquatics (most likely hydrilla); good interspersion with a fair amount of open water; 200 ring-necked ducks, 50 mottled ducks

Stick Marsh/Farm 13 – no vegetation; no waterfowl observed

T.M. Goodwin – typical operations at area; several impoundments with good interspersion of emergent and floating leaved aquatics, reservoir water depth 3.5 to 4 feet with cattail islands, submerged and floating leaved aquatics; teal and mottled ducks; coots in the reservoir

Broadmoor - typical operations at area; several impoundments with good interspersion of emergent, floating leaved, and submerged (naiad) aquatics, reservoir water depth 3 to 3.5 feet with emergent vegetation and floating leaved aquatics; 2000 teal, 200 mottled ducks, 50 pintail

Mary A Block – good interspersion of water with willow and grass islands; floating leaved and submerged (likely hydrilla or naiad); 200 teal, 300 coot

Sartori Block – lots of open water, emergent, floating leaved, and topped out submerged (hydrilla or naiad) aquatics; no waterfowl

Deseret block – no waterfowl observed

Lake Hell n Blazes - – grass along west shore, some floating leaved aquatics – area between lake and restricted area looks good with lots of flooded grass and some open pockets of water, water may be deep; no waterfowl observed

Lake Sawgrass – ringed with willow, habitat is marginal; no waterfowl observed

Sarno Marsh – water high; good interspersion of open water, sawgrass, floating leaved plants

Lake Washington – open water, little to no vegetation; no waterfowl observed

Lake Winder -- open water, little to no vegetation; no waterfowl observed

Moccasin Island – lots of open water, emergent, floating leaved, and topped out submerged (hydrilla or naiad) aquatics; no waterfowl

Lake Poinsett – good habitat on south and west side of lake, water level is high; no birds observed

Lake Ruth/Loughman/Salt – water appears high; floating leaved plants, lots of flooded grass; no birds observed

Merritt Island NWR and Surrounding area  (click here to go to the Merritt Island NWR Web site for more details and contact information)