Black skimmer chicks hatch on Sanibel Causeway for first time in more than 30 years

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation announced that the first black skimmer chicks since the early 1990s have hatched on the Sanibel Causeway.

According to SCCF, teams have been monitoring dozens of nesting attempts and broods across multiple locations since nesting season began in February. The causeway has become a critical refuge for the species, with 81 least tern nests and 15 black skimmer nests documented so far.

“In an exciting milestone, the first black skimmer chick has hatched at the Causeway since the early 1990s — the first successful nesting record we have been able to confirm in more than three decades,” said Shorebird Biologist Audrey Albrecht.

Black skimmers have faced especially challenging conditions at several Sanibel colonies, mostly due to repeated coyote depredation, SCCF said.

“Thanks to funds quickly raised earlier this month, we were able to provide supplies so the [handymen] could build shelters for the black skimmers,” said Albrecht. “We are also grateful for our volunteers who will be coming tomorrow to paint those shelters so we can get them out into the nesting areas soon.”