Black skimmer chicks hatch on Sanibel Causeway for first time since 1993

SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK)— Black skimmer chicks have hatched on the Sanibel Causeway for the first time in more than 30 years, marking a major milestone for the state-threatened species.

The causeway looks dramatically different after Hurricane Ian, no longer lined with trees but replaced by sand dunes. That sand is creating the perfect habitat for nesting shorebirds, including black skimmers that have now returned after three decades.

"We did get a few black skimmers, actually showed up last year. It laid a couple of eggs very late in the season. They did not hatch. We now have black skimmers nesting and actually hatching chicks for the first time that we can find on record since 1993, there about," said Audrey Albrecht, a Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation shorebird biologist.

For Albrecht, the discovery is a major conservation win. Black skimmers are losing nesting habitat across Florida.

"There are very limited spaces for them to nest these days. So, when they have a nice space where they can nest safely. We want to make sure we protect that area," Albrecht said.

The return of black skimmers follows another success story on the causeway. Least terns returned to nest here a few years ago, giving biologists hope that more shorebirds could follow.

The recent heat is affecting not only people but also birds. Without proper shade and cooling methods, the chicks face serious risks.

"If they're not able to find shade and get out of the heat, or sometimes you'll see the parents go down to the water to cool off and bring water back to cool the chicks off, they need to be able to have that safe place to hide and get out of the sun, so they need the shade, and it's really otherwise they'll get heat stroke, just like a person would, and it could kill them," Albrecht said.

To help the chicks beat the heat, SCCF has placed small shade structures throughout the nesting area. The organization is following the lead of partners from Audubon and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who use similar methods in other locations.

"So we're just giving them a little bit of supplemental shade, like our partners from Audubon and FWC do in other locations, offering them a safe place to beat the heat and, you know, get out of the rain sometimes too," Albrecht said.

If all goes well, these chicks could take their first flights in just a few weeks. Even after they fledge, their parents will continue to teach them the skills they need to survive, bringing them fish before they learn to dive and catch their own.