Do you like the beach? Do you want to help our coastal wildlife survive? Become a part of the statewide efforts to help protect Florida’s beach-nesting shorebirds.
It’s that time of year again when Florida’s rare shorebirds are nesting on our beaches and bird stewards are needed. Did you know beach-nesting birds like Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers and Least Terns lay their eggs on top of the sand and raise their young on our local beaches? Chicks less than 6 inches tall can be seen feeding along dunes, coastal lakes and the tidal zone.
While they are adapted to survive this harsh environment of sun, sand, and salt with protection from their parents, chicks and eggs struggle to survive when beach-goers inadvertently flush parents from their nests. Left exposed to the harsh sun and predators, one disturbance can spell disaster for these vulnerable chicks. Florida Park Service, Audubon Florida, FWC, DOD, USFWS, volunteers, and other partners all work together with communities to help these species survive.
Audubon staff is seeking stewards for Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park, Camp Helen State Park and St. Andrews State Park. To get involved, pleaase contact Bonnie Samuelsen at bsamuelsen@audubon.org (850-866-7152).