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Bird Monitor Qualifications

Black skimmer

These qualifications are intended for bird monitors associated with permitted beach nourishment projects, mechanical beach cleaning, or other coastal construction projects.

For simplicity, the term “shorebird” is used here to refer to all solitary nesting shorebirds and colonial nesting seabirds that nest on Florida beaches. Nesting shorebird surveys should be conducted by trained, dedicated individuals (Bird Monitor) with proven shorebird identification skills and avian survey experience. 

 

Bird Monitors shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

  • Ability to identify all species of beach-nesting birds that nest in the project area by sight and sound.
  • Ability to identify breeding/territorial behaviors and find nests of shorebirds that occur in the project area.
  • Ability to identify habitats preferred by shorebirds nesting in the project area.
  • Have a clear working knowledge of, and adhere to, the Breeding Bird Protocol for Florida’s Seabirds and Shorebirds.
  • Complete full-length webinars: Route-Surveyor Training and Rooftop Monitoring Training, including annual refresher training. Training resources can be found on the Florida Shorebird Database (FSD).
  • Familiar with FWC beach driving guidelines. 
  • Previously participated in beach-nesting bird surveys in Florida (please provide references or resume) and is a registered contributor to the FSD.
  • Experience posting beach-nesting bird sites, consistent with Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) Guidelines.

FWC staff are developing draft Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines (Guidelines), which will provide information on permitting for four state Threatened beach-nesting bird species. These guidelines will include information about activities anticipated to impact these species and when it’s appropriate to employ professional bird monitors. As a result, FWC anticipates the need for additional qualified bird monitors. Interested people can email Shorebird@MyFWC.com for training opportunities in their area.