|
Richard Joyce, a biologist for the Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation and a coordinator of the Firefly Atlas Project, reached out to Friends and the Refuge for support to conduct surveys of firefly species, with a focus on imperiled salt marsh species. A group joined Richard on a survey in April 2025 with encouraging results. These surveys were part of an effort to understand the distribution of two firefly species that are thought to be imperiled by threats such as sea level rise and habitat loss: the Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) and the keel-necked firefly (Pyractomena ecostata). The Florida intertidal firefly was actually first described from a specimen that was collected in Cedar Key, and researchers from UF have done firefly research at the Shell Mound site for decades, but it has been over ten years since the species was observed or collected there.
Richard related the following account of the survey: "A group of surveyors from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the Friends of the Refuges, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Florida State Parks met up at sunset at the Shell Mound and scanned for flashes or glows as night fell. About 40 minutes after sunset, we spotted the first firefly glowing as it flew near the boardwalk. We caught this firefly in a net and by examining it were able to confirm that it was an adult male Florida intertidal firefly.  Members of the survey crew from Xerces Society, FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FL State Parks, and Friends of the Refuges. Photo credit: Ann Kamzelski As it continued to get darker, more flashes began to sparkle at the edge of the salt marsh and mangroves-- male fireflies advertising their presence to females waiting in the vegetation near the high tide line. We also found multiple firefly larvae, spotting their glows as they crawled in the marsh. These larvae are predatory, feeding on snails.  Firefly larvae Given the significant storm surge that Cedar Key experienced last year during Hurricane Helene, it was heartening to find that the Shell Mound's firefly population was able to weather the storm. The Shell Mound site is significant for the Florida intertidal firefly because it is the northernmost place on the Gulf coast where it is known to occur. The following night, a group of surveyors looked for Florida intertidal fireflies at the Fishbone Creek boat landing in Dixie county, but found none.
There is still a lot we don't know about fireflies in the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Key Refuges! Have you seen fireflies in the marshes and mangroves in Levy or Dixie counties? If you are interested in surveying other sites in the area, the Firefly Atlas provides data sheets and a portal for submitting your findings." -Richard Joyce The contractor has begun the project early. The road will be closed until the pier is repaired and equipment removed. It should take about 60 days.  The beautiful new Shell Mound pier shortly after opening in May 2024 You might have missed the newly rebuilt Shell Mound pier that was only open four months before the hurricane Helene swept through in late September 2024 causing significant damage and forcing another closure. Good news, though—repairs have begun and are expected to take about 60 days. During this time, vehicle access to Shell Mound will be closed. We’ll keep you posted as work progresses and look forward to seeing the pier reopened again!  Hurricane Helene damaged the pier in September 2024 The Lower Suwannee & Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuges are now feeling the impact of the government-wide reduction in the federal workforce.
Thursday, April 17, was Andrew's last day in the office. He is taking his many accrued and unused days of annual leave and then probably going to retire a bit earlier than planned. Friends already greatly miss him!
As of our last News Brief, in March, the Refuge had six staff members . . . Andrew, John, Daniel, Jason, George, and Johnny. Since then, all of them received a memo offering the "Deferred Retirement/Resignation 2.0." The memo said the agency is also planning for additional reductions in force in the future. They were given a very short time to accept the offer or take their chances with what the terms of the next workforce reduction might be. If they accept it, they are put on administrative leave until the end of the fiscal year on Sept 30, 2025. Between now and then they would be paid their salaries but not allowed to work or volunteer to do the job they resigned from.
As Friends of our Refuges, we are dismayed at the loss of professional knowledge and experience. We know these staff members are effective and committed stewards of our wildlife and lands where they thrive. Their passion for service, conservation, wildlife, and country is evident in all they do. Our refuges contribute so much to us and to our communities, they deserve the care and protection these professionals provide.
Join the survey Richard Joyce is a firefly conservation biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and he coordinates the Firefly Atlas project. The focal species for the surveys are the Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) and the keel-necked firefly (Pyractomena angulata), In April he will be conducting surveys of firefly species in Lower Suwannee NWR and Big Bend WMA, with a focus on imperiled salt marsh species. He has invited our members to join him in the field to learn how to survey for lightning bugs. Fortunately Refuge Manager Andrew Gude is in favor of our support. 
In our efforts to increase membership activities, on March 27th the Friends invited interested persons to come out to the Refuge to observe the thousands (up to 30,000) of bats emerge from the otherwise unremarkable two wood bat houses on long-legged stilts.
Shari Blissett Clark, president of the Florida Bat Conservancy, joined us once again to educate and entertain the crowd with many fascinating facts about bats. Shari's love of bats is evidenced in her having as many of nine bats of her own - each requiring daily feedings that take up to an hour each - do the math - that is pure dedication. While giving us facts about bats, she held one of the two of her own that she brought with her. Bat info passed on included:
 Shari holding one of her own bats.  Bats waiting for just the right moment to start emerging. Refuge bat species include the noisy Brazilian free-tailed, small southeastern myotis, gregarious evening bats, and the handsome eastern red bats. Though it may be a challenge to identify the different species once they start emerging at dusk - first a few at a time, enough to get the crowd excited, then a few more with the crowd wondering if it's a slow night. Then wow, hundreds, thousands darken the sky flipping and dipping overhead. Observers were warned to wear hats due to the likelihood of the bats "relieving themselves" while they fly across the landscape - resulting in the delivery of beneficial fertilizer. It is a dazzling experience that never fails to delight.  Bats emerging at sunset. Photo by Bill Dummitt In addition to other events/gatherings that will bring our members and potential new members together, Friends is planning another Bat House event - possibly around Halloween. What do you think?
Cedar Key’s charming streets were once again filled with color, creativity, and community spirit during the 2025 Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, even if just for a single day. While the event is traditionally a lively two-day affair, this year’s festival was scaled back to one day as the town continues to recover from the lingering effects of recent storms.  Our eye-catching Refuge Rover But what the festival lacked in length, it made up for in heart. Friends enjoyed talking with as many booth visitors as usual, despite the shortened schedule. It was a reminder of Cedar Key’s resilience and its enduring draw as a creative hub on Florida’s Gulf Coast.  Key volunteer, Bill Dummitt, models our new pelican-design shirt Turkey hunter Greg Mitchell recently shared a positive report following his trip to the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. He wrote: "Mr. Gude, Just wanted to tell you thanks again for the information you shared with me on the Lower Suwannee NWR. I made the trip opening week of turkey season and was successful in taking a Florida bird. My hunting partner was also successful. I was very impressed with the Lower Suwannee. Ya'll really keep it up well. Hope to get to visit again next year. Thank you and everyone associated with the Lower Suwannee. It is a great place!"  We’re always glad to hear about memorable experiences on the refuge, and we appreciate the kind words from visiting hunters.
Friends has helped sponsor the tracking devices for two of the Swallow-tailed Kites that nest the Lower Suwannee NWR. By following the birds' behaviors and movements while they are nesting on the Refuge, our staff can plan for and maintain habitat important to the iconic species. The tracker on the original Suwannee stopped transmitting several years ago. Because the device on Suwannee 22, who was outfitted with her tracker in 2022, is at the end of its expected power, Friends wants to help sponsor our third bird.  credit ARCI/Google maps Back in August 2024 when Suwannee 22, had just taken off from the Refuge to fly to Brazil for the winter, Hurricane Debby hit the Gulf. Suwannee was caught in Debby’s fury, made it into the eye of the storm, and rode the storm back to Refuge. She made it alive but depleted and started her work to recover her strength and try again.  credit to NOAA/USA Today network/USA Today The story was written up in USA Today and seen by David Ware, a middle-school science teacher at Parkside School in Collier County. He contacted Friends to ask if his students could partner with us. The students raised $1,300 of the money needed for the new tracker and are eager to follow the bird's flights between breeding and wintering grounds as part of their science studies. David also talked to the Florida Ornithological Society which may help with a smaller donation.
 Friends Key Volunteer and butterfly expert, Barbara Woodmansee, fortunately for us butterfly lovers, is still out there surveying for new species. In her own words she describes her newest finds. "So excited to report that we now have 97 documented species of butterfly for the Refuge! Yesterday (4/3/25) we found our first dotted skipper (north end of the Nature Drive), and Orange-barred sulphur (found last summer) on Willie Lock Mainline." "There are more out there to be found - so glad I get to keep on looking!!" - Barbara Woodmansee  Barbara will hopefully be updating her must-have beautiful Butterflies of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. This pocket-size booklet has descriptions, photos, and data on the butterflies that have been documented to be on the Refuge . . . except for the latest two that are not yet included. The booklet is for sale at events where the Friends' Refuge Rover can be found.  Long-time board member John Thalacker was out walking on the Dennis Creek Trail recently. Lo and behold, he found evidence that Big Foot had been there ahead of him. What evidence, you ask? Big Foot apparently left behind the sole of one of his shoes! John retrieved it in case Friends wants to establish a museum someday in the future.  On April 4, 2025, Desiree Sorenson-Groves who was the featured speaker at Friends Annual Meeting in February and is the President and CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, provided testimony to the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies of the House Committee on Appropriations. Ninety-five organizations, including Friends of Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges signed on to this testimony concerning the 2026 appropriations for the National Wildlife Refuge System. The testimony requested a Congressional allocation of $731 million for the National Wildlife Refuge System, pointing out that the amount is the same as was allocated in 2010 adjusted for inflation.  It discussed:
|
Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
P. O. Box 532 Cedar Key, FL 32625 [email protected] We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. |
|