Birds

On "Florida Matters," we explore bird-watching. We speak to bird enthusiasts about what birding is and how to start. And we also take you on a little bird walk.

On "Florida Matters," we hear from two WUSF journalists about their reporting — from local residents experiencing flooding months after Hurricane Milton to the restoration of a local spoil island in the Hillsborough River.

The South Florida Water Management District reported overall nesting down although snowy egrets, South Florida's dominant wading bird, had back-to-back good years. While rainfall played a part, the it suggests more work needs to be done to fix the region's wild landscape and keep water where birds need it to successfully raise chicks.

If approved by county commissioners, the Smith Farm, near Celery Fields, would be rezoned from its current limit of five homes across 50 acres to more than 120.

More young birder groups are popping up across the country for teens and tweens who enjoy getting outdoors together to gawk at wildlife.

The progression of the species-jumping disease has been unprecedented, including the first-ever U.S. cases of infections in dairy cattle and heightened pandemic risks.

It would direct the FWC to survey participants in Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network summer camps in 2025 and 2026 about whether another state bird should be selected.

Volunteers have been busy building up natural seawalls on one of the spoil islands in the middle of the bay. They're helping restore part of one of the most important rookeries in the state.

A captive breeding program for the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow could increase the number of wild birds and help manage disappearing nesting habitat that could flood under Everglades restoration.

Planners will meet to discuss the proposal, which seeks to rezone farmland so that 170 homes could be built in an area where only five residential units are now allowed.

The Florida grasshopper sparrow was near extinction only a few years ago. The recent release of the 1,000th captive-raised sparrow into the wild has rekindled optimism.

Wild owls that can’t see or fly are often rescued and become known as “ambassador birds.” Wildlife rehabilitators take them to schools or other events so people can see them up close.