Beach News

With cooler temperatures migratory birds are plentiful on our beaches for their annual stop over to rest, feed and gain weight during the second or third part of their journey.

Brittany Piersma of the Audubon of the Western Everglades (AWE) is urging all the beach goers to “avoid disturbing flocks of resting birds by walking around them. Flushing causes them to fly, expending a lot of energy, and a bird that is already in a weakened condition has no extra energy to waste.”

According to the MIPD October Monthly Beach Report to the City Council’s December meeting, incidents on the beaches increased 36% in October in comparison to the same time period last year. Enforcement of Shorebird Flushing on the beach had one of the largest increases versus other offenses due to the migratory bird season (12 incidents in October versus one in September).

The Marco Island Police Department (MIPD) also reported that litter/debris pick up and patrol activity made up almost half (47%) of total events in October 2021. Glass on the beach continued to trend as the highest number of violations this month. 

Injured birds was another issue I was very concerned about – so I met up with Community Officer Anthony Ferraro and Captain Richard Stoltenborg at the beach. Both confirmed that beach patrol vehicles carry with them a rescue carrier or box and that recently, Community Officer Ira Warder assisted in the rescue of a Royal Tern, which was taken to von Arx Wildlife Hospital. I mentioned to them that rescue baskets were available at the Resident’s Beach guard house, should they need one.

Brittany Piersma of AWE provided me with the following bird rescue data from October to present: 15 Laughing Gulls, two Royal Terns, one Cormorant, one Red Shouldered Hawk, two Brown Pelicans, one Sandwich Tern, two Royal Terns, two American White Pelicans, and one Great Egret. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped in transporting birds to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.

Fishing line continues to be one of the greatest threats to birds on the beach. The von Arx Wildlife Hospital is recommending the use of barbless hooks and proper test line. You can minimize accidental hooking by casting your line at a spot that is clear of foraging birds.

Another preventable injury to wildlife is caused by discarded fishing lines. Monofilament fishing lines are responsible for deadly injuries to birds, and other wildlife. Often these are discarded on the beach with the hooks still attached. 

If you find injured or orphaned native wildlife, contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida at 239-262-CARE (2273) 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time seven days a week. 

News of a sea gull beaten on Marco’s South Beach went viral on November 5, 2021 along with a photo of a man holding a beach chair, wearing light green shorts, a straw hat with sunglasses on top of his head. It was reported to FWC and the seagull was taken to von Arx Wildlife Hospital, was examined for its injuries and was euthanized.

Marcos Island Police Department are asking to contact them if anyone can help to identify the suspect at: 239-389-5050.

This is the second incident of cruelty to wildlife in Marco Island – with an earlier incident reported in mid-September. MIPD is urging beach goers that if you see something of concern, please do not hesitate to call immediately to the MIPD non-emergency number: 239-389-5050.