| I admit that going to a beach means I’m mainly focused on the waves, sand, shells and just kicking back. But another interesting aspect of most beaches centers on the bird life dwelling in the vicinity.
For example, sandy beaches also serve as nesting areas for terns, skimmers, gulls and oystercatchers. Just about any barrier island in particular acts as a bird magnet, reducing the energy drain of having to fly far to feed and providing fewer disturbances from land-based critters such as dogs, cats, raccoons, gators and the like.
Needless to say, us two-legged animals need to be careful where we walk, play volleyball or let pets roam. If birds continue to be frightened away from their nests, they’ll often abandon chicks or eggs.
According to Ron Loggins, a biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), “We don’t always think about the effects we may be having, even with an activity as simple as flying a kite.” He went on to say that shorebird often mistake the kites flying over their nests for large predators, and that causes the birds to flee. Eggs or chicks left exposed seldom survive, with even extreme temperatures killing them.
I’ve accidentally walked upon beach-nesting birds without even realizing, as the case this weekend at a barrier island beach off Charlotte Harbor. Fortunately I didn’t trample any nests. I began to walk slowly and looked ahead for shallow depressions in the sand, noting several other eggs and chicks and changing my path.
“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 details about Florida ’s shorebirds, visit MyFWC.com/imperiledspecies/.
In the meantime, keep your distance when entering an area with a lot of birds. Spring and summer generally means nesting shore birds will congregate around dunes, even in open sandy areas. Carry a telephoto lens on your camera rather than trying to walk right up to them for a picture. Keep pets leashed, and don’t enter closed areas. If you witness someone purposely disturbing a bird colony, contact the FWC at 1-888-404-3922 or seek out a wildlife officer or biologist if nearby.
When hitting the beaches this spring and summer, I’ll have my binocs to watch shoreline birds from a safe distance. I hope you do likewise. |
