It’s spring! Now is the time when many birds are starting their families. While some birds lay their eggs in tree nests, sea and shorebirds lay their eggs right on the sand, where they are well camouflaged and vulnerable. Species including Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, and Least Terns are very protective of their nests and will take flight whenever people approach too closely.
Audubon Florida works with land managers to post signs that alert people of locations where the birds are nesting, particularly on and around barrier islands along the Gulf Coast. Birds are drawn to these areas where there is ample tidal overwash, well-drained sand, and a lack of trees and other vegetation that can harbor predators.
In addition to natural threats such as high tides and coastal storms, beach-nesting birds face a suite of human-induced challenges, including vehicular traffic, boat traffic, kites, off-leash dogs, getting stepped on, and firework displays on crowded beaches. These disturbances can cause adult birds to abandon their nests or chicks, which can ultimately lead to chicks starving, getting eaten by predators, or overheating in the sun.
In many locations where birds and people overlap, Audubon assigns volunteer bird stewards to point out nesting birds and answer questions.
How to help beach-nesting birds raise their next generation of chicks to adulthood:
• Respect posted areas, even if you don’t see any birds inside.
• If birds dive-bomb you, carefully move away as there is a nest nearby.
• Ensure no trash or food remnants are left behind, as this can attract predators.
• Retrieve and properly dispose of all fishing line and gear.
• Respect local dog ordinances and only take your furry friend to designated dog beaches.
Audubon Florida protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1900, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive.