Help Protect Our Rare Beach-Nesting Birds

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Did you know? The beaches of Pinellas County are some of the only areas in southwestern Florida where beach-nesting birds can nest. Most of these birds are listed as being in danger of extinction by the State of Florida.	Black Skimmer with chick
Least Tern shading egg	Which species nest here? There are 5 species of birds that can potentially nest on an open beach. American Oystercatchers, Snowy Plovers and Wilson’s Plovers nest in pairs on the beach. Black Skimmers and Least Terns nest in pairs in large groups called colonies.
When do they nest? Groups of birds gather on beaches to lay their small and well-camouflaged eggs each year between May and July. For weeks, one adult will stay on a nest (just a scrape in the sand) while the other flies off to search for food. The birds are highly protective of their young and will quickly take flight to distract or fend off predators, if threatened.	Black Skimmer eggs in nest
What can I do to help them? · Keep your distance – If birds seem agitated, you are too close. · Be aware of posted areas – Stay away from any marked areas and encourage others to do the same. If you see Area Closed signs, don’t walk near the nests.	Black Skimmer colony on Sand Key
· Keep your dog off beaches – Birds perceive dogs as predators and get scared even if you have a small dog on a leash. · Don’t feed any wildlife on the beaches – Seagulls and crows can eat eggs and even little chicks. By feeding gulls and crows you are further attracting them to the beach and artificially increasing their numbers.	Laughing Gull stealing a skimmer chick
A migratory Red Knot foraging in the surf. This bird is banded to help study and reverse the population decline of the species.	What about birds I see on beaches in the winter, do they need my help too? Yes! Some birds live here year-round and then some birds nest elsewhere and are spending their winter with us or are just passing through. All of these birds need to conserve energy and put on fat for the challenging breeding season ahead and perhaps a long flight. Please keep your distance from these birds so they don’t waste energy flying away from you.

Get involved in your local Audubon society:

St. Petersburg Audubon: http://stpeteaudubon.org

Clearwater Audubon: http://www.clearwateraudubon.org

American Oystercatcher and chick.

On behalf of the birds, thank you!

(special thanks to our photographers:

Dave Kandz, David Hopkins, Bonnie Shedd)

Pagemaster: Beth Forys, Eckerd College, forysea@eckerd.edu