You’re Not the Only One Sharing the Beach This Time of Year

By Lois Copperman
St. Petersburg Audubon Society

Sunscreen, towel, sunglasses, something cool to drink, and possibly a friend or two: now you are ready to head out to the beach. It’s that time of year when the temperature is hot but not unbearable and the water is just right to cool you off when necessary. However, my beach-going friends, be aware that you are not the only ones sharing that sandy haven this season. Starting in late March, beach-nesting birds drop in from all over the world to enjoy our beaches and to raise a family.

Unfortunately, due to the increase in land development and the disturbance it causes, there have been significant declines in the population of these beach-nesting birds. “Most people aren’t even aware that they are threatening the survival of birds that nest on the beach when they let their kids or dogs run through or close to colonies,” notes Monique Borboen-Abrams of St. Petersburg Audubon Society. “Unfortunately, if the adults are repeatedly frightened up into the air, they may even abandon their young,”

Due to our ignorance, undisturbed beach areas are vastly limited for the nesting birds. Some species - such as least terns and skimmers - have adapted by nesting on top of flat gravel roofs. However, due to changes in the building code, contractors are less likely to install gravel roofs, and successful nesting in the future is likely to depend on the remaining beach habitats.

Starting early April, least terns lay their eggs directly on the sand in shallow depressions. These depressions are easily overlooked, so beach-goers need to first look for the depressions and step lightly to make sure their casual visit does not disturb the birds’ new home. Least terns have been designated a threatened species in Florida.
And while avoiding their nests is important, you can easily witness the least tern’s unique mating ritual. The male terns offer small fish to their selected females, much like a guy offering a girl chocolates and roses. The female who accepts will be his mate, and the pair will look for a suitable nesting site (if only it were that easy for humans). Least terns often return to the same nesting site each year unless the site has been consistently unsuccessful.

The black skimmer is a bird commonly seen nesting in colonies on our local beaches, often with least terns between May and August. This is a species of special concern in the state of Florida, and is also a species in need of extra protection from unknowing people and pets who may wander near their nests.

The snowy plover is a small light-colored bird that is normally seen dancing in and out of waves breaking on the beach, although they are miraculously never dunked underwater. The plover nests in a more solitary fashion, preferring to breed in the open dry sand over a season that runs from February through September. These birds have an active lifestyle and may re-nest multiple times, producing several clutches of young during one season. There are only about 200 nesting pairs of snowy plovers in Florida.

The Wilson’s plover, also known as the thick-billed plover, can be seen nesting from early spring to late summer in a shallow scrape in the sand, usually in the sparsely vegetated upper part of the beach and the dunes. Like other plovers, intrusions near their nests may cause the adult to dash around or perform a “crippled bird” act, trying to lure predators away.

Birds already are starting to nest on Egmont Key, says Richard Meyers, assistant refuge manager of Tampa Bay Refuge. “By mid-May we usually have thousands of laughing gulls, black skimmers, terns, pelicans and other birds raising their young in our protected bird areas.”

No dogs will be allowed on the island during nesting season to protect the nesting birds, he adds. “Boaters and fishermen can be a real help in notifying us if someone is violating the rules and going into nesting areas or letting their dogs into closed areas. We often get people who are concerned about the environment calling us on their cell phones from their boats telling us about problems.”

New regulations will also prohibit dogs at Shell Key Preserve this year. Dog owners who want to give their dog a run on the beach should head for the nearby Fort DeSoto dog park where many dog-friendly amenities are available.

You can help ensure these birds’ survival by admiring them from a safe distance and encouraging others to do the same. For assistance, or if you see someone disturbing nesting birds in closed areas, please call the appropriate law enforcement agency and report the disturbance.

For Shell Key Preserve: Call the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200. Identify yourself, describe the problem and location on Shell Key Preserve. Ask them to send an environmental lands’ deputy to assist.

For Tampa Bay Refuge Islands (Egmont Key, Passage Key, Indian Key, Tarpon Key, Mule Key and Jackass Key): Call the refuge management office in Crystal River at 352-563-2088.

For Fort De Soto Park, Anna Maria and municipal beaches: Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline 1-888-404-3922.

Want to learn more about these birds or volunteer with the Audubon Society?  Visit www.stpeteaudubon.org.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Keep your distance – if the birds are agitated, you are too close.
• Keep out of posted areas and encourage others to stay out! If you see area closed signs during the breeding season, don’t pull your boat in, party or walk near the nests.
• Don’t force the birds to fly. This might look pretty but it exhausts the tired parents and puts the young in danger.
• Avoid running your watercraft near the shore – loud noises and people moving disturb the birds.
• Keep dogs OFF the beaches where prohibited and leashed on other beaches. Better yet, leave your dog at home. Birds perceive dogs as predators and may be frightened even if a dog is not chasing them. An unleashed dog can destroy a whole colony in minutes. Barking or running dogs send the birds up.
• Inform others about beach-nesting birds and explain how important it is that they not be disturbed.