We are halfway through February, which means shorebirds and seabirds are beginning to nest along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast.
Charlotte County Parks and Recreation is asking residents to help keep the beaches clean as more birds hatch.
The following birds are beginning to hatch along SWFL beaches:
Shorebirds:
Wilson's plover
Snowy plover
American oystercatcher
Seabirds:
Least tern
Black skimmer
To help protect these birds and their nests, Charlotte County Parks and Recreation staff are setting up temporary fencing and signs to create safe nesting zones.
Here's how you can help:
- Respect posted nesting zones
- Leave dogs at home (Dogs are seen as predators and can disrupt nesting birds)
- Give nesting birds plenty of space
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