Marco Beaches More Bird-Friendly with New Signs

If you are headed to the beach, you will find a newly installed bird sign located at the water’s edge at Residents Beach and a smaller sign at the beachside exit of the Winterberry Beach walkway.

According to Audubon of the Western Everglades’ (AWE) field biologist, Brittany Piersma, “AWE and Audubon Florida have had educational signs up in Naples at Clam Pass and Pelican Bay for migratory birds. It was extremely successful for the days that they are not pursuing stewardship. Visitors from all over are seen stopping to read the signs. Our goal was to install the same type of signs on Marco Island for beach walkers. Hundreds to thousands of birds rely on Marco’s beaches to rest as they are migrating far distances.”

Piersma shared that “When we lost signage due to hurricane cleanup, we reached out to Art Seller Signs on Marco to obtain five new signs. Three for Naples and two for Marco Island. A big shout-out to AWE volunteer, Wayne Fawcett for helping install the signs.” In Marco, they had assistance from Collier County staff, JW Marriott Marco staff and Marco Code Enforcement. “As we continue to do surveys and outreach, we hope these signs will be effective in spreading the word to walk around the flocks and give the birds space,” added Piersma.

According to Florida’s tourism agency, Visit Florida, they estimated a record 37.9 million travelers visited the state during the first quarter of 2023, up from a prior single quarter high of 35.528 million in the first three months of 2022. According to FWC, Florida has 835 miles of sandy coastline fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida. Its beaches are vital to maintaining the health of Florida’s economy and the environment.

But as tourists and residents converge on its beaches to relax and recreate, it has become very challenging for both local and migratory birds that are dependent on local beaches for survival.

Follow these Tips for a Bird-Friendly Visit: It is a matter of Survival. 

Pay attention to signs indicating that birds are in the vicinity.

• Walk calmly around resting flocks.
• Teach young children to respect resting birds and to play a safe distance away from them.
• Don’t feed wildlife on the beach – human food is not part of their natural diet and can make them more susceptible to disease.
• Pick up your trash – birds can be killed by eating plastic or become entangled in it.
• When birds are agitated, you are too close. 
• Avoid fishing where birds are actively feeding to prevent entanglement.

On most early mornings, you’ll encounter a flock of resting Royal Terns, Black Skimmers, Snowy Plovers and even Snowy Egrets fishing at the surf line. You’ll also see gulls and more gulls. According to JJ (aka Jeanene Jewett), Collier County Shorebird Steward, “Gulls are tricky to identify since it takes roughly three to four years for them to reach adult plumage.”

Size can be an indicator, and just this morning, I saw a “giant” Gull that dwarfed all the resting birds on the beach looking positively regal. It was the Lesser Black-Backed Gull and they are here only during the winter, breeding in Greenland and Europe. 

Just last month, a Lesser Black-Backed Gull was taken from Residents Beach to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Wildlife Clinic looking unwell. According to the Conservancy, this was the first of this species ever admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. It was weak, underweight and unable to stand with all symptoms associated with red tide. Sadly, the gull did not survive.

If you come upon a sick or injured wildlife and are close to Residents Beach, rescue crates are available at the Gate Hut. You can call the number on the crate if you need help transporting the injured wildlife to von Arx Wildlife Hospital in Naples.