New nature preserve open in Broward County

Nature hikes are high on the list of safe outdoor activities during the pandemic, and Broward County Parks has added another place for such outings: the Herman & Dorothy Shooster Nature Preserve, 6200 SW Seventh Court, Margate, which quietly opened to the public in November.

The preserve includes nearly two thousand feet of nature trail, with an elevated walkway and overlook, along with interpretive signage and picnic tables.

The 19.78-acre site used to be known by its nickname, “the Forest.” It is primarily a basin swamp, characterized by bald cypress, red maple, and pond apple in its deeper region, with a few areas of willow.

An area of flatwoods with slash pines and laurel oak runs along the northern border of the site, while the interior contains a mature cypress dome with large pond apples, a habitat increasingly rare in Broward.

More than 75 species of wildlife have been documented in the preserve, including 43 species of birds, 18 butterflies, seven mammals, five amphibians, and three reptiles.

Had things gone differently in the mid-1980s, the land might have ended up as an office park. As it was, the original developers abandoned their plans after some preliminary construction. The property then passed into the hands of the Shooster family, from whom it was later acquired for $4.15 million of the funds approved by nearly 75 percent of voters in the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond Referendum.

Herman and Dorothy Shooster moved from the Philadelphia area to Florida in the mid-1970s in search of career opportunities. Herman, an Army veteran who had served as a medic during World War II, and Dorothy, whose mother lived in South Florida, took over a small business called the Ding-a-Ling Answering Service.

For more information, contact Broward County Natural Areas, 954- 357-8109.

Saving songbirds of prey

The incidence of illegal trapping and subsequent selling of migratory birds in South Florida is rampant. The two main targeted species are Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea) and Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris).

More common migratory birds also have been trapped, including cardinals, orioles and others.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits, among other things, possessing or killing any migratory bird. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), together with the US Fish and Wildlife Service  (USFWS)regularly finds and appropriately cites those who choose to engage in this trade.

A few years ago, the FWC and USFWS broke up a large ring of trappers and dealers, leading to multiple arrests and thousands of dollars in penalties. Current data suggests the trappers are back.

The goal of this enforcement effort is to break up these rings and release the captive birds into their natural habitats to proliferate and continue the species.

The motive is obvious: Cash.

A good specimen of either bunting species can fetch up to $200, with the highest money paid for a nicely-feathered male Painted Bunting. Typically, a female of either species will earn $20.00-$45.00, including a cage.

The birds are openly sold in flea markets, gas stations and other high pedestrian traffic areas. A bird in a cage is a bird removed from the breeding pool in an already declining population. It is extremely difficult for the lay- person to successfully breed buntings and if viable eggs are hatched, the offspring are born into captivity to be sold or kept in the breeder’s “collection.”

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, notoriously understaffed, faced an enormous problem. Possessing a protected bird is only a misdemeanor and a sworn law enforcement officer must witness the possession to make an arrest. Officers cannot arrest a subject-based solely upon what a citizen reports.

Trappers can earn large amounts of cash for only a few hours work and if they find an area frequented by their prey, they likely will return.

If while enjoying your passion for bird watching you find a large congregation of buntings or other colorful birds, contact the FWC (888- 404-3922) so they can search the area and include the location on their “Areas to Watch” list.

If you happen to find a trap in the woods or brush, please call immediately and an officer will respond to begin surveillance.

A word of caution: Trappers know that what they are doing is wrong, so they are very suspicious. Hanging around the trap or making it obvious that you know the trap is present may scare the individual away and law enforcement may “lose” this area for a while. If you are able to see an individual with a trap in hand and you see his or her vehicle, attempt to get a license plate number and description of the individual.

Most birders carry binoculars and/or cameras. But remember, your safety is more important than any bird so absolutely do not confront the subject.

Enforcement agencies have found some common traits they use to find the traps.

Anglers: It’s Spanish mackerel time

Anglers who fish offshore or inshore can celebrate the holiday season by catching Spanish mackerel, which are plentiful in South Florida in December right on through March.

According to legendary Capt. Bouncer Smith of Miami Beach, all that’s needed to catch the smaller cousin of the king mackerel, or kingfish, are some No. 1 planers or some 2-ounce cigar leads, and some No. 2 red-bead Clark spoons.

The planers, which are rectangular pieces of steel with a clip attached, and cylindrical weights get the spoons down to where the Spanish mackerel hang out.

“Anytime that you exit the inlet and it’s too rough to run, or if you see birds anywhere along the coast in your travels, you deploy your planers or cigar leads with a 6-foot to 8-foot leader and a red-bead No. 2 Clark spoon, and there’s an excellent chance that you’ll encounter Spanish mackerel,” said Smith, who added that the fish eat swimming plugs.

“To complement your emergency supply of Clark spoons and planers, some 6- or 7-inch Yo-Zuri Crystal minnows are also an excellent trolling bait for Spanish mackerel.”

Smith said don’t hesitate to put out some double-hooked ballyhoo, which are commonly used for dolphin, if you come across a school of mackerel as you’re heading back to the inlet. He said ballyhoo are a good bait for big Spanish mackerel, which can top 10 pounds.

“If you encounter Spanish mackerel, or Spanish mackerel are your target for the day, bring ample boxes of chum, and if at all possible, glass minnow chum, which is not to be confused with silversides,” Smith said, adding that Spanish mackerel can be caught in inlets out to 90 feet of water, with the best fishing in 20-40 feet. “And then a bucket of live shrimp or several dozen small live pilchards, and it’ll be one of the funnest days your kids will ever have.

“You find where the mackerel are, you anchor up and you chum. Fishing with small live shrimp and small pilchards, the kids’ll have lock and load action, and it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Smith emphasized that the smaller the shrimp, the better.

“The biggest tip on fishing for mackerel with shrimp is don’t pick the big shrimp,” he said. “Real small shrimp will consistently catch a Spanish mackerel. The real big shrimp, if it gets bit, will get bit in half, and always the end without your hook in it. So go with the really small shrimp. The ridiculously smallest one in the bucket. It’s highly effective for Spanish mackerel. Hook it through the head, because you want them to swim very naturally.

“If you want to have a little bit more exciting action, it’s very critical if you’re using a nylon jig or a bucktail, to use the smallest little piece of shrimp on the hook. The bucktail or the nylon jig will dance very pretty, but if you put a big chunk of shrimp on, it won’t. If you use a little teeny piece of shrimp, then the jig will still have great action and it will smell like a shrimp.”

Smith recommended using 1/0 to 3/0 long-shank hooks with the baits, preferably black or bronze, with 30- or 40-pound fluorocarbon leaders, which are invisible in the water. He did note that some sharp-toothed mackerel will cut through the leaders, but you’ll get many more bites than if you use wire leaders.

Losing a hook is not a big deal, but losing a lure can be. Smith said that anglers who cast spoons, plugs, or jigs for mackerel might find fluorocarbon too expensive if they get too many cut-offs, so he suggested using 20-pound titanium wire.

To keep a Spanish mackerel, it must measure at least 12 inches from the tip of the mouth to the fork of the tail. The daily bag limit is 15 per angler, which will provide numerous meals for your family and friends. The delicate white flesh can be prepared a number of delicious ways, including smoked, broiled or grilled, and it’s excellent for ceviche.

“That’s my very favorite smoked fish,” Smith said. “And it’s really good
fried when it’s fresh.”

Having the fun of catching a dinner that satisfying is something worth celebrating.