Photo by B. Ott
Double Hammock Creek Restoration
Despite its small size and highly urbanized setting, Double Hammock Creek in Port Richey is one of the most important bird areas in all of Pasco County. During spring and fall migration thousands of migrating birds pass through the area on their way to and from the nearby Gulf of Mexico. Local birders have documented 175 species of birds (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L16515966) along the section of the creek that extends from U.S. 19 west to Scenic Drive, a distance of only 1000 feet! This narrow, linear feature acts as a critical east-west wildlife habitat corridor connecting to Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, a 4,000-acre coastal environment comprised of a mix of mangrove forests, upland scrub areas, hydric hammocks and extensive salt marshes situated immediately downstream (west) of Scenic Drive. Birds rely on the trees, shrubs and ground vegetation along Double Hammock Creek for critical food and shelter at a time when they are particularly vulnerable to predators.
Although it contains no road, the creek corridor is owned and managed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Last September, in the midst of fall migration, FDOT staff removed much of the vegetation along the south side of the creek, apparently because erosion of the creek threatened to encroach on an adjacent private property.
Pasco Audubon immediately contacted FDOT, requesting that any further vegetation removal be deferred and that immediate steps be taken to fully restore the cleared area. Although it was their intention to carry out similar clearing on the north side of the creek, FDOT complied with our request to stop work and agreed to meet with Don Fraser and Christine Rowland.
At our meeting FDOT explained why they needed to stabilize the creek banks but agreed to several key requests made by Pasco Audubon, most importantly that the area be replanted with native plant material appropriate to the local soil conditions. Based on our inventory of what vegetation had been removed, we provided FDOT with a list of plant species that could be included in a replanting plan.
As of the date of this report (June 4, 2026) FDOT is revising its engineering drawings to minimize the extent of creek alteration and to incorporate our recommended plant material. FDOT has also committed to carrying out the work this summer, prior to the onset of fall migration, and has even offered to plant more trees along an unaffected section of the creek. We are presently awaiting an opportunity to review FDOT’s final replanting plan but are very optimistic that a mutually acceptable outcome will result from what began as an unwanted and unexpected environmental intrusion. The story of Double Hammock Creek is a good example of how Pasco Audubon can work with a receptive proponent to turn a negative situation into a positive one, and ultimately to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome. Watch this space for further updates.
To learn more about the work and volunteer needs at Double Hammock Creek, please email info@pascoaudubon.com.