Audubon Florida prepares for beach bird nesting season on the Gulf Coast

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Audubon Florida is preparing for beach bird nesting season, ensuring protection for vulnerable species.

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Audubon Florida said that spring and summer mark critical times for the vulnerable beach bird species, as they must avoid human disturbance, storms and predators in order to raise their babies successfully.

Sea and shorebirds lay their eggs in the sand, are scared of people and dogs, and will fly away whenever boaters, beachgoers or dogs get too close, sometimes leaving their eggs and chicks behind.

Audubon said its staff will close off important nesting areas to the state-threatened birds, such as Least Terns and Black Skimmers.

Some of these areas include the Second Chance Critical Wildlife Area in Collier County, which will be closed to boater access from March 1 to Aug. 31, and nesting areas in Fort Myers Beach and the Little Estero CWA in Lee County.

"Our coastal birds depend on these quiet stretches of beach to safely nest and raise their young. Our beaches are shared spaces, and by simply giving nesting birds the room they need and respecting posted areas, our community plays a vital role in protecting the future of Florida's coastal wildlife," says Megan Hatten, Audubon's Southwest Florida Shorebird Program Manager.

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