SWEET TWEET: Beach shorebirds thrive in nesting season
Primary migration for shorebirds has reached almost mid-season, while nesting for area shorebirds is near the end of a very successful season.
Town of Fort Myers Beach Environmental Sciences Coordinator Keith Laakkonen keeps an eye on the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area and other nesting sites along the island. A hurricane-free summer has been a blessing and aided in the success of our tiny, winged creatures.
“We were really lucky that Mother Nature didn’t give us any storm surges or any storm events that would over-wash the beach nesting birds,” he said. “Southwest Florida is very important for beach nesting birds. Over the past few years, Fort Myers Beach has become more and more important for beach nesting birds as other habitats have been lost in Southwest Florida.”
Four species of shorebirds were the main nesters on the Beach. Wilson’s plovers, snowy plovers, least terns and black skimmers were noticed in their habitat. Snowy plovers and least terns are two that are referred to as state-threatened species.
“There has been some analysis from the state that, if least terns do not increase their nesting success on their current production rate, there is a 100 percent chance of extinction in 100 years,” said Laakkonen. “Snowy plovers are probably in the same boat. They are very sensitive to people and environmental events.”
State wide, there are only roughly 240 nesting pairs of snowy plovers in entire of state. Fifteen of those are on the Beach and 15 more on Sanibel Island.
“We had a significant portion of the entire state total of snowy plovers,” Laakkonen said. “The highest count of snowy plover chicks we had was 18.”
Generally, even while snowy plovers produce quite a few nests on the Beach, bird watchers do not necessarily get to see the chicks grow and develop. This year has been different.
“This year, we actually were able to observe chicks from their very early stages until they became fledged juveniles,” said Laakkonen. “The snowy plovers had a much higher rate of success for nesting this year, which means they were actually able to produce birds that in the future were able to breed themselves. Since snowy plovers have an extraordinary low population in the state of Florida, every single bird counts. With at least 18 chicks as our high count, we have a much better chance of bringing the species back from the brink.”
Least terns had a really good year, says Laakkonen. There were more than 200 nests at the high point of season with possibly 400 birds recorded on sites.
“Not all those birds were nesting necessarily, but we did have a very successful year,” he said. “Lots of chick produced.”
Black skimmers ranged from 120-130 birds with 36 nests at high count this year. That is a welcomed sign after not one single black simmer nested on the island last year.
“They are very social birds, so even though they are not all nesting they will tend to stay in a colony together,” said Laakkonen. “Black skimmers are a species that have been imperiled on Fort Myers Beach. We are really lucky to get those birds on the Beach. It’s been a long time.”
Earlier this season Laakkonen reported that two black skimmers fledged. That marks the first time in over a decade that Fort Myers Beach has had successful Black Skimmer breeding.
“Since then, we have had a lot more fledged,” he said.
It is still known to be a mystery if shorebirds return to the same nesting area year-in and year-out, like sea turtles generally do.
“Some do, some don’t. We do know that they may come to one area year after year,” said Laakkonen. “For example, we have a lot of snowy plovers year round. These are probable Beach resident birds. As far as least terns, we have seen the numbers fluctuate over time. The majority probably come here. Wilson’s plovers are a giant mystery, and black skimmers probably had a poor nesting season somewhere last year and decided to nest this year on Fort Myers Beach and had a very good year.”
The nesting season for these shorebirds is hard to pinpoint. Snowy plovers may nest as early as February and black simmers may nest as late as October. Historically, Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area used to be home to only least terns.
“With these other species, it’s a little bit more challenging with these other birds nesting outside of the closed area range of the critical wildlife area,” said Laakkonen.
Some postings are beginning to come down, while others are staying up.
“We have to leave enough posted areas up to ensure there will be no disturbance or impact while black skimmers are still fledging,” said the Town scientist.
There are nesting birds, and there are resting birds. Resting is important for migratory birds that make a pitstop on Fort Myers Beach. One particular bird in this regard is the red knot.
Red knots, a species that is expected to be listed as endangered soon, migrate every year from the Arctic Circle to Argentina and back, says Laakkonen.
“So, when those birds are coming through and land on our beach, some of those birds may have been flying nonstop for two or three days,” he said. “When they land they need to eat as much as possible to rebuild fat and muscle and then to rest and save their energy so they can get off and start flying once again.”
Wrack lines are not only stuff cast ashore by the Gulf, it can be home to some shorebirds that need to seek protection and deceive an enemy.
“Camouflage is the primary means of defense for most of these species. When they are on the beaches, they will blend in with either the sand or the wrack they are feeding in. They will actually change color wherever they go,” said Laakkonen. “Red knots get this very bright reddish maroon coloration that you think they would stand out on. But, in the Arctic, that’s the color of a lot of vegetation that they nest in, so it’s perfect for them over there. As they come back through, they actually will lose that coloration so that they will blend in better. When they are sitting on the beach, they actually look like they disappeared.”
Laakkonen stated shorebirds not only have an aesthetic and ecological value, but an economical benefit as well.
“These shorebirds are part of our community. They are our residents and our guests,” he said. “A lot of people will actually plan trips to come to Fort Myers Beach so that they can enjoy the wildlife on our beach.”
If you notice someone maliciously disturbing a bird colony, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (477-1000), or officials with the Town of Fort Myers Beach (765-0202).