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*£ FL 8. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Acreage: 145,525. 



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Location: Broward and Palm Beach counties; refuge headquarters 1 mile W of 

 U.S. 441 on Lee Rd. 



Description: This portion of the Everglades consists of prairie-like flats that are 

 covered with shallow water during most of the year. Stands of sawgrass inter- 

 sperse the flats. Shallow ponds and sloughs support white water lilies and other 

 aquatic plants that bloom throughout the year. The landscape is dotted with tree 

 islands that vary from a fraction of an acre to several hundred acres in size. Wax 

 myrtle, redbay, dahoon holly, and ferns on the islands retain their foliage 

 throughout the year. Fall and winter migrations result in spectacular bird con- 

 centrations. Flocks of herons, egrets, and ibises, often numbering in the 

 thousands, congregate where receding water strands myriads of small fish and 

 crayfish. The tree islands in winter are frequently alive with small birds, includ- 

 ing several species that otherwise winter south of the United States. Among the 

 more interesting resident species are Limpkin, Sandhill Crane, Wood Duck, and 

 Mottled Duck. Bobwhites are abundant along the levees. Turkeys have declined 

 in recent years, and now are seldom observed. Otters, whitetail deer, bobcats, 

 raccoons, opossums, marsh rabbits, alligators, and cottonmouth moccasins are 

 among the other animals which may be of interest to watchful observers. The 

 rare Everglade Kite is attracted to the area and has nested successfully. This 

 bird's only food is the fresh-water snail ( Pomacea) and the kite is therefore 

 found on the refuge only when water levels are favorable to this gastropod. 



Ownership: The 143,000 acres within levees of the Central and Southern 

 Florida Flood Control District are being leased for fish and wildlife manage- 

 ment; the remainder is owned by the U.S. Government. 



Data source: BFWS. 



