Hickory Top WMA Clean-up 17-May-2026

       Headed out on a Sunday morning for my second clean-up by canoe at Hickory Top. The goal was to paddle to the up-river end where I had just done a clean-up by foot on the 15th. There were items there that were too big or heavy to carry out on foot. This trip definitely didn't go to plan, but by the end I did remove a good bit of trash.

       As I paddled from the launch out to the lake this White Ibis was feeding along the edge. When I got closer in the channel it flew up and joined another perched in an overhanging tree and they both watched as I paddled by. 

       The first item picked up was this popcorn bag that was just drifting in the water. In the past I did a lot of river clean-ups and for those it was more typical that these items would be on the bottom and filled with sediment. I think because there isn't much current in the lake these aren't forced to the bottom and stay bobbing in the water column before they just end up on the lake edge.

        Even just at the start of this trip there is just fantastic scenery. It is sad that there is so much trash in such a beautiful place. We as a society need to really start working on the reduction of single use plastics and behaviors need to change to make sure trash ends up in proper designated places instead of places like this. 

         Another highlight right from the start. A Wood Stork, this species was added to the Endangered Species list in 1984, with only around 5,000 breeding pairs in the US. In February of this year it was removed from the Endangered species list and was declared recovered with only aound 10,000 breeding pairs. It along with all non-game birds are protected by law and it is a crime to kill them. When a species is listed as Endangered, they also get special habitat protections, monitoring and in some cases captive breeding programs are made to help recover wild populations. Hopefully 10,000 breeding pairs will be enough for this species and hopefully the population will grow or at least stay stable without further help. They are a really cool bird to see in person.

       I knew I had seen two of these buoys in the past and I thought they were in good shape. This one looks like it is. I couldn't get back to it on this trip, but when I can I will and I am going to get a closer look at its size, condition and if it is tethered and trapped back there. If it still floats, I can't imagine the DNR doesn't want it back. I have permission already to retrieve and dispose of the two, but if this one is in good enough condition, I do hope the DNR will want it back. 

       I don't recall seeing this on my last paddle. I am not sure what it is from, maybe a recliner cushion? What I do know is the foam it is made of readily accepts water. It was floating, but also was completely waterlogged. With more effort than I expected to have to give, I was able to flop it into the boat.

       Upon flipping the plastic coated foam into the canoe I noticed there was a turtle leech on the bottom. This is a parasite of aquatic turtles, but you will often find them attached to smooth objects in the water. They do have the ability to attach to you. I picked this one off the plastic and tossed it back into the lake. 

         The water was down from the last time I paddled back here and I found more spots like this one were accessible to get out. So I made this stop to see what things were like at this spot. This is where my plan ended up changing for the day. 

       As soon as I stepped out of the boat there was trash, so I started collecting. A lost PFD was the very first thing I spotted, but I ended up working my way around to it and picked up a bunch before I made it over to it. 

          A ball, a bottle bottom and a spray paint can lid. All pretty common trash items. The ball at least had a unique pattern on it.

         Two buoys found near each other. One is certainly trash, the other could possibly be used again. I have no use for any of it, so it will be going to the trash. 

        Handful of bottles from a spot they accumulated.

           Second large item of the trip. The original goal was to pick up large items, just not from this spot. The size isn't really clear from this photo, but it is from an extra large cooler. I removed all of the leaf litter and soil buildup on top before taking it to the boat. 

        I always prefer finding these still sealed in a wrapper on a clean-up. Not something I really expected in a swampy environment, but anything can end up in the water and wash up downstream.

        After filling a bag and loading up that and the cooler lid. I got back on the water and went to find a new spot. On the way I got to see these, a Great Egret, Double-crested Cormorant and a Common Grackle all hanging out together.

        I found a second place with easy access and got out again. The swampy lake edges really are beautiful. Much more so after trash is removed.

            Back when I was doing clean-ups all the time I had a whole collection of these turtle sand molds. Somehow they end up being one of the more common kids items that I've found along rivers, streams and lakes. I found with the ones I collected before, I have no use for them, so to the dump this one will go. 

           Another Basketball. This has to be at least the fourth removed from Hickory Top.

      A ball in a log. I don't like reaching into things like this for trash. I did though.

It was filled with water. I squeezed as much as I could out.

       This is the second one of these cylinders I have found in Hickory Top. The only thing I can think of is that they might be old bait holders for crayfish traps.

        At the time I wasn't really thinking or looking at this closely. I decided to leave it there because I thought it might still have stuff in it or at least be pressurized. Now I see the top is gone and if I find it again it will likely go to the metal recycling at the dump. 

        There isn't as much life along the edge as I would typically expect. This might be due to how lake levels are controlled at certain times of year. I did see this Southern Leopard Frog when going for some trash. In addition to the rounded spots, the white dot on its Tympanum (Ear drum) is an identifying characteristic of this species.  

Cooler, found, picked, removed.

        Front filled and really to start heading back. I got nowhere near where I had planned to go for the day, but any day removing this much trash is a good one.

The views are just spectacular.

No wind, calm water, makes for a good day cleaning up!

Through the cypress for some shade.

      This is much easier to navigate when the water is just slightly higher, but I was still able to make it through.

Prothonotary Warbler.

Going out the Wood Stork had move up into the trees along with a few White Ibis.

Nearing the end.

          Used my paddle to grab this one last item. This milk crate it labeled McARTHER T. G. Lee. I looked it up and they are two milk farms from Florida. It could be possible that they used the same supplier for the milk crates and were able to get them cheaper purchasing them together. Not sure why else both farms would be on the crate. 

Back at the launch with all the trash.

Bag #1 along with the large items removed on this trip.

Bag #2

   If you have read this far, I hope you have enjoyed the post. More clean-ups to come!