Holiday beachgoers: Do not disturb nesting birds

Holiday beachgoers: Do not disturb nesting birds

During the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds beachgoers statewide to be mindful of nesting birds, as even a minor disturbance could destroy a nest.

You can help protect the birds by moving parties, picnics and fireworks away from nesting areas.

"Just approaching a bird is enough to flush birds away from their nest," said Ricardo Zambrano, an FWC biologist. "When birds are forced to fly off their eggs, it exposes the chicks to predators."

A variety of protected birds are currently nesting on Florida’s beaches, including terns, black skimmers, snowy plovers and Wilson’s plovers.

Earlier this year, the FWC and other agencies posted signs around many nesting areas on Florida’s beaches. These closed areas protect the nesting birds from unnecessary disturbances and prevent humans from stepping on their nests. All of these species nest in the open and lay well-camouflaged eggs directly on the sand, making them nearly invisible to predators and to the untrained human eye.

 

A least tern sits atop one of the FWC’s bird nesting signs at Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area in Collier County.

(FWC photo by Sharyn Hood)

 

A snowy plover in the sand at Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area in Collier County.

(FWC photo by Wesley Seitz)