Brooker Creek
This body of water is our namesake, Brooker Creek. It is a rainfed creek starting in northwest Hillsborough County. The creek meanders through suburban neighborhoods and farmland before it enters Brooker Creek Preserve. The waters that flow through this area go directly into Lake Tarpon. You can see where Brooker Creek enters Lake Tarpon at John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor. Water levels in the creek will fluctuate throughout the year with the rains. Rainy season in Florida occurs from May through October so the creek is typically pretty high during that time but can drop down to mere puddles in the drier, winter months. Curious as to why the water is so brown? It’s from all the leaves falling into the creek. Think about it like a giant cup of tea. When it rains, that water is clear, but as leaves fall into the water, tannins are released that stain the water a darker color, just like a cup of tea. So, while it looks dirty, the water here is actually pretty clean. And Brooker Creek Preserve plays a very important role in the health and quality of Lake Tarpon and its surrounding area, as this natural area helps filter and improve the water flowing into the lake.
Bald Eagle Nest
As you stand next to the bird viewing blind, look south (right) to the two powerline towers. On the left tower, bottom crossbar, left end is a bald eagle nest. Despite all the nearby trees, eagles often choose man-made structures for their nests. Loss of nesting and foraging habitats due to urban development can seriously jeopardize nesting success in our area. Nesting season generally runs October through May. Eagles are strongly territorial and will engage in fierce battles over nesting habitats. They are also opportunistic hunters and will steal food if they can. Eagles mate for life and return to the same nest or nesting area every year. Parenting is a shared process, taking turns sitting on the nest and hunting. The egg or eggs hatch after 33-35 days, with clutch size usually being two eggs. Eaglets grow quickly and will be ready to fledge around 12-14 weeks. In this case, they better be good fliers on their first attempt to leave the nest. You can recognize an eagle in flight by its striking white head and tail, brilliant yellow beak and their massive wings appear flat in flight. This large magnificent bird is revered as the symbol of America, personifying strength, majesty and independence.
Live Oak Shelter
The oak hammock shelter is a great spot to sit and listen. Enjoy the bird calls from species such as such as titmice, carolina wren, vireos, warblers and more. This habitat was once a sandhill community. However, as a result of fire suppression, sandy soils, and a long period of time it eventually became the oak hammock you see today. These towering oaks provide ample shade, thereby reducing the number of sun-loving shrubs and ground cover. Wild turkeys and white-tailed deer can be seen foraging for acorns intermixed with the leaf litter. Gopher tortoise, armadillo, and oak toads are other animals that have been seen in this area. Stay quiet so you don’t scare them off!
Fire
Welcome to the Flatwoods Shelter. This shelter is in a Pine Flatwoods ecosystem, hence the name. Flatwoods typically have pines as their main tree species with saw palmetto, wiregrass and other low shrubby plants beneath. These ecosystems are fire dependent, requiring fire about every 2-4 years. Fires were historically started by lightning but are now often set my land managers using prescribed burns. The plants and animals found here are adapted to survive fire as they have lived with it for a long time. Without fire, oak trees would grow up and take over, shifting this pine flatwoods ecosystem into an oak hammock. Fire is important and beneficial to the plants and animals found here; it opens the tree canopy to allow more sunlight in and killing off unwanted invasive species. Following a fire, the nutrient rich ashes are absorbed into the soil and become available for new plant growth which the animals love to eat. Fires also clear out densely vegetated areas, allowing for easier movement of wildlife. By doing regular prescribed burns, land managers keep fuel levels down, creating healthier conditions for plants, animals and even us!
Ecotone
Take a moment to survey your surroundings. On one side of the boardwalk you will see pine trees, palmetto and trees with wide trunks. On the other side, you will notice lots of ferns, that give way in the distance to cypress trees and other aquatic species. This area is called an ecotone. This means it is where two different habitats come into contact. The pines and palmettos are upland species, the ferns and cypress are wetlands species. Uplands and wetlands are defined by the soil type, plants and animals that are found there. What do you think the soil is like in a wetland? Can you spot any animals using this wetland as you enjoy your walk?
Swamp
Now you are in the swamp. This flooded forest is made up of sweet bay and tupelo trees. The sweet bay has smooth bark and evergreen leaves. It is a magnolia relative and produces lovely ivory-colored flowers in summer. The tupelo is deciduous, that means it loses its leaves in winter. Tupelo flowers for a brief time in late spring. This is when beekeepers collect honey made from the trees’ nectar. The plants growing on the tree branches are called epiphytes. They are not parasites, they have their own roots that they use to cling to the branches. Most of the ones you can see are pineapple relatives called bromeliads. There are also ferns and orchids growing on the tree trunks. Keep an eye out for hawks in this part of the preserve!
