How you can help shorebirds during nesting season in Florida

With shorebird and seabird nesting season underway, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee thanks constructing house owners for internet hosting species similar to black skimmers, least terns, roseate terns and American oystercatchers that nest on their roofs from March by August.

Shorebirds and seabirds sometimes nest instantly on seashores alongside Florida’s coasts, nonetheless, as our shorelines grow to be extra crowded with folks, much less nesting area is obtainable and birds more and more use gravel rooftops to nest and lift chicks.

Most shorebirds and seabirds that nest on rooftops are state-threatened species, similar to black skimmers and least terns. At the moment, greater than 50% of Florida’s least tern inhabitants depends upon rooftops for nesting.

Nesting season for shorebirds and seabirds takes place in Florida between March and August. For buildings which have shorebirds nesting on rooftops, it’s endorsed that routine upkeep and nonemergency repairs be carried out exterior of nesting season, between September and February.

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If sudden repairs are required throughout the nesting season, constructing house owners can work with the FWC’s regional shorebird biologists to find out if they might happen and the way to apply if a allow is required.

What are you able to do to assist rooftop nesting shorebirds?

Thank constructing house owners that host rooftop nesting birds. In case you are staying at a resort or visiting a enterprise that has rooftop nesting birds, thank administration and workers for serving to shorebird and seabird conservation.

Volunteer. You’ll be able to assist the FWC monitor rooftop nesting areas. Contact us for alternatives in your space by emailing: Shorebird@MyFWC.com.

Constructing house owners and managers play an necessary function. In the event you personal or handle a constructing the place shorebirds or seabirds are nesting on the roof, you’ll be able to assist by giving the nesting birds area and coordinating along with your FWC Regional Shorebird Biologist. To discover a regional shorebird biologist close to you, go to MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and click on on “Shorebird Nest Dates and Contacts.”

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For extra data, go to MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and click on on “Rooftop Nesting.”

Spring is an lively time for a lot of of Florida’s wildlife species. For extra data on wildlife in Spring, go to MyFWC.com/Information and click on on “Spring Wildlife Information.”