Common Name: Hooded Merganser Status: Native Species Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus Occurrence: Winter Resident Identification: Both the male and female species can be identified separately based on their own unique coloration, ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Common Name: Eastern Bluebird Status: Native Species Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Occurrence: Year-round Species Identification: One of the most iconic of perennial song birds found in Central Florida. Eastern Bluebirds are larger ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Common Name: Prairie Warbler Status: Native Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Occurrence: Florida sub-species is a year-round resident. Migratory sub-species is a winter resident. Identification: The Prairie Warbler is a very ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, , Wildlife
Common Name: American White Pelican Status: Native Species Scientific Name: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Identification: The White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America. White Pelicans have an average length of about 5 ft., ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Common Name: Cuban Treefrog Status: Invasive Species Scientific Name: Osteopilus septentrionalis Identification: Like all of the treefrogs found in Florida, Cuban treefrogs have the ability to climb. This is possible due to the toepads ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Brown Pelicans hang out at piers and docks frequented by fishermen. They always look hungry and are very good at making eye contact to communicate their fishy request. Any angler can attest to having a Brown Pelican or other wild water bird ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, WildlifeDespite the morning rainstorms, 178 volunteers dedicated their Saturday towards keeping coastal Hernando County beautiful. Spanning from Alfred McKethan Pine Island Park to Aripeka, volunteers removed 7,412 pieces of trash from the land and ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water
Suppose you have ventured to coastal boat ramps in Hernando and Citrus counties this summer. In that case, you may have been asked by UF/IFAS Extension employees to be seagrass safe. But why? Seagrasses are completely submerged grass-like ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Over the last year, a team of volunteers worked hard to help give the bay scallop population off Hernando's coast a much-needed boost. These volunteers go by the name of "Scallop Sitters." Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by visitors ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
It was finally the season we had all been waiting for. Time to grab our snorkeling gear and head out the door! With a handful of snacks and a cooler full of ice, our fingers are crossed the weather goddess plays nice. Full speed we go to ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife