Breeding numbers were down for some bird species for the third straight year in a row in the Everglades.
Nesting numbers for wading birds fell by 38% compared to the past decade according to an annual survey compiled by the South Florida Water Management District.
Curtis Morgan reports on the environment for the Miami Herald. He says seesawing water levels are to blame. For example, un-seasonal storms disrupted regular drying cycles.
"As it begins to dry down in the winter, the water source begins to concentrate in small pools and all the little fish and crayfish that are in the water get into these smaller areas", said Morgan. "They birds come in and it's much easier pickings for them. And if food's not there, they may go ahead and nest and the chicks may be born but they don't survive because there's just not enough food."
Back to back years of drought also shrunk the number of small fish. Species like the tricolored heron and wood stork suffered worse drops than others last year. Wood storks are on the endangered species list.
Nesting numbers are considered an important measure of the health of the overall system. Environmentalists said the recent dips point to the need to move forward on Everglades restoration projects.