Key Largo and South Florida News

Everglades National Park Reopens Frank Key Channel, Carl Ross Key, and the western side of Palm Key in Florida Bay

HOMESTEAD, Fla.: Everglades National Park has reopened areas closed to protect the Frank Key and Sandy Key Roseate spoonbill colonies during nesting season. The channel running along the west end of Frank Key, shallow water access at the west side of Palm Key, and Carl Ross Key have been reopened to public access. Biologists have determined that the nesting colonies are no longer active.

Frank Key Channel and Carl Ross Key have been closed annually to public entry during the winter nesting season. These temporary annual closures have provided added protection for Florida Bay’s most significant spoonbill colonies. The addition of the Palm Key closure is in response to a new nesting colony of Roseate Spoonbills and other wading birds situated at the west side of this island. Disturbance from boating activity can flush adult birds off nests leaving eggs and chicks exposed to extreme hot/cold temperatures and predators such as crows or vultures. This seasonal closure protects birds and nests from disturbance.

For additional information, contact park information at 305-242-7700 (during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).

WHAT: Everglades National Park has reopened areas that were closed to protect spoonbill colonies during nesting season. The channel running along the west end of Frank Key, Carl Ross Key, and the western side of Palm Key have been reopened to public access. Visitors to Carl Ross Key are reminded that while Carl Ross is open (for day use only), Sandy Key is permanently closed to public entry year-round to protect sensitive wildlife, and people should not walk from Carl Ross to Sandy.


WHEN: Nesting season comes to a close.

WHERE: Frank Key Channel, Carl Ross Key and Palm Key in Florida Bay, located south of Flamingo. Flamingo is located at the extreme southern tip of the park approximately 38 miles south of the park’s main entrance near Homestead.

Photo: Roseate Spoonbills. Photo Courtesy of Brennan Mulrooney

More information on Everglades National Park can be found on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/ever