News Release

Shorebird disturbances become a matter of survival

For immediate release: April 22, 2008
Contact: Karen Parker, 386-758-0525

Many species of Florida's water birds nest right on the beach, including gulls, terns, black skimmers, plovers and oystercatchers.

Barrier islands and sandbars are favored nesting sites because they afford these ground-nesting birds protection from land predators. The birds have adapted to the temperature extremes, hurricanes, high winds and coastal flooding. However, human disturbance and domestic animals are another matter.

Human recreational activities and shorebird nesting peak at about the same time. This can leave the eggs and young birds exposed and vulnerable to disturbance, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist Ron Loggins.

Beach-nesting birds often get nervous around human recreational activities, such as playing beach volleyball, engaging in kite surfing or allowing the family pet to romp unleashed along the beach.  Frightened birds sometimes flee their nests, leaving their chicks or eggs vulnerable to a variety of hazards.

"We don't always think about the effects we may be having, even with an activity as simple as flying a kite," Loggins said. "Shorebirds often mistake the kites flying over their nests for large predators, and that causes the birds to scatter."

When adult birds are flushed off their nests, eggs and young are exposed to the intense sun or cold of night; they are exposed to aerial predators, such as crows and gulls or marauding dogs.

"Without the parent birds providing shade, it only takes a few minutes for the summer sun to cause temperatures in the nest to rise above 100 degrees, which can result in death for the chicks," Loggins said.

"Many people also don't realize when they're near beach-nesting birds because the nests can be difficult to detect," Loggins said. "The nests are simple, shallow depressions in the sand, and both the eggs and chicks are well-camouflaged. When danger approaches, the young chicks freeze in a prone position. It's easy for people walking in nesting areas to crush the eggs or kill young birds accidentally."

The FWC, in cooperation with other local, state and federal agencies, coordinates efforts aimed at educating the public and protecting beach-nesting wildlife during critical nesting periods. A cadre of volunteers from the FWC and private organizations, such as the Audubon Society, maintain watch over nesting sites and help with educational efforts.

Officials protect bird colonies by posting signs, roping off affected areas and contacting local residents about temporary beach closures.

"We're asking those who use our state's beaches to avoid nesting areas where colonies of shorebirds are raising chicks. We're not asking people to stop kite-flying or enjoying the beach.  We're just asking beachgoers to avoid a handful of areas close to where there are nesting birds," Loggins said.

For more information about Florida's shorebirds, visit MyFWC.com/imperiledspecies/.

How You Can Help:

When enjoying the beach, remember that while you are there to recreate, other creatures' survival may depend on your behavior. Follow these simple rules to minimize impacts on wildlife.

Keep your distance when you see a concentration of birds, either on the shore or in the trees. A good rule of thumb is to stay at least 300 feet away and avoid causing birds to become agitated or to fly away. Minimizing disturbance to concentrations of birds is the key to conserving them.

Do not intentionally force birds to fly. If you see birds on a beach, island or sandbar, walk or steer around them. Again, avoiding disturbance to them is the best approach.

Avoid running your boat or personal watercraft at high speed near areas where birds are concentrated. Because habitat destruction has resulted in an ever-decreasing amount of shoreline available to wildlife, almost all mangrove islands, beaches, mud flats and other shallow water and shoreline habitats provide important resources for feeding, resting and nesting birds at different times.

Shorebirds generally nest in the same places from year to year. Be on the lookout for large concentrations of birds in dunes or on islands, especially during the spring and summer months. Get to know where nesting colonies are in your area. Avoid these colonies of birds during the nesting season.

Keep your pets on a leash when visiting the shore and never approach a bird colony accompanied by your dog.  Ground-nesting birds are disturbed more easily by the presence of a dog than the presence of a person.  One unleashed dog can cause all the adult birds in an entire colony of ground-nesting birds to leave their nests in a matter of minutes, leaving all the young vulnerable to predators and the hot sun.

Help spread the word. If you see others disturbing wildlife, politely let them know about the effects of their actions. Many people do not realize that their actions may be harmful to wildlife. If you see someone intentionally or maliciously disturbing a bird colony, contact the FWC at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). Support posting efforts to protect bird colonies. Some places are posted with signs warning that the area supports a bird colony and advising people to avoid that area during the nesting season. Respect these closed areas and encourage others to do the same.