An adult female Florida green water snake.

The Wetlands across the street from our house has been active and open for about 5 years now. It was developed from some old vacant but overgrown and tangled seasonal swampland. The tangles were primarily of plants intent on dissuading human passersthrough--catbrier, dodder, poison ivy and blackberry canes predominated. But one day “no trespassing” signs were erected. A few day’s later bulldozers and other earth moving machinery arrived and before our wondering eyes the “monkey-get-back-bushes” of all manner disappeared and we finally realized the full scope of the land manipulation. Acre after acre of shallow ponds had been bulldozed from the long-hidden surface area, the few existing trails were obliterated, a huge cache basin was dug and dammed to catch the debris (sofas to TVs and signs to clothing!) tossed by humans into a still existing but redesigned creek that fed waters to the affected area. Culverts were laid, dikes topped with graveled roads were built, a lengthy boardwalk was in place, and truckloads of emergent plants (from Juncus to Bulrushes) were brought in, unloaded and planted stategically in the pond-to-be basins that were finally being dampened by the water that was finally being allowed to trickle and accumulate---and accumulate—and accumulate. Sweetwater Wetlands Park was open to the public.

The first year as what I would consider normal for our native snake populations including, but not limited to, Florida banded, Nerodia fasciata pictiventris, and Florida green water snakes, Nerodia floridana. The next year was better for all herps, and the 3rd year even better but it was truly a banner was a banner year for the water snakes.

It was a warm year and by mid-February the snakes were breeding. Florida banded water and Florida green water snakes were present in virtually all patches of emergent vegetation in gender skewed ratios—to each female there would be 3 or 4 males in attendance. I noticed, the park rangers noticed, and the herons noticed. The snakes were commented on by the rangers and me—the snake became a major food source for the herons—especially the great blues and even more especially for the American bitterns. Until they migrated northward in April the bitterns parading through the shallow marshes almost always held a wriggling snake in their beak. It was obviously easier for the birds to go herping than to go fishing.

That summer a reduction in water snake numbers was expectedly inevitable. But by the next spring there had been no noticeable bounceback. And throughout the next year we saw only half a dozen green and about a dozen bandeds.

Last year (2019), I saw even fewer greens, but a few more bandeds. I’m wondering now whether the abundance seen in 2016 will again occur.

I can hope.