Protect Shorebirds this 4th of July Weekend

Audubon Western Everglades has been continuing our shorebird stewardship out at Caxambas and Kice Shoals south of Marco Island. Our efforts have proven important this season as the Black Skimmers and Least Terns searched for suitable habitats to nest. In previous years, the Sand Dollar Critical Wildlife Area hosted up to 600 pairs of Black Skimmers. After changes in habitat due to the dredge project and influences of disturbance and predators, the Black Skimmers failed to produce any chicks last summer. This summer, they took a long time to choose their locations to nest which can become risky with incoming storms. 

The earlier they nest, the more successful they are in fledging young prior to erosion and flooding. As around 100 skimmers checked out the north tip of Sand Dollar, another group of around 150 skimmers took over the Caxambas sandbar which is no longer within the boundary of the critical wildlife area. They set up quickly and now we are happy to announce they recently hatched out chicks! As the holiday weekend comes upon us, we are planning increased education and protections with our partners - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Audubon Florida, and Rookery Bay. You can help the birds by avoiding landing on the Caxambas sandbar and choosing other locations to enjoy recreation, shelling, and fishing. 

Also, please avoid setting off fireworks anywhere near this island or Sand Dollar and instead attend firework displays established by the professionals. It is illegal to set off fireworks on Marco Island, but there will be a display hosted on a barge between Tigertail Beach and South Beach. As a reminder, Second Chance, otherwise known as "Shell Island," is entirely closed to the public during nesting season where a large least tern colony and some black skimmers are present. Please avoid bringing dogs to the Caxambas sandbar and keep them on a leash on all other nearby islands. Dogs are not allowed on Sand Dollar. Please give the birds space and allow them to rest along the shoreline, as the temperatures are very hot! Constant disturbance near nesting birds can cause eggs or chicks to fry very quickly. Enjoy the holiday weekend while sharing the shore!