Lee and Collier Shorebird Stewardship programs
To the editor:
Hello Lee and Collier Shorebird Stewards and Interested Friends.
Our feathered friends who nest on Southwest Florida’s beaches are back, and looking pretty lovey-dovey. Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers, Least Terns and Black Skimmers are all assembling on our beaches in Lee and Collier Counties, so it’s time for all who want to see them have a fruitful nesting season to gather as well.
Last nesting stewardship season – the Collier and Lee Stewardship Partnership Programs’ inaugural year in both counties – was very successful for both the birds and their stewards. We collectively engaged hundreds of people (weekends only) in bird watching, quick tips to help the nesters, and enjoyed ourselves while doing it. Thanks to that stewardship, as well as fewer storms, the birds nested prolifically.
This year, we want to repeat last summer’s successes on engaging the public, plus add a couple new pursuits:
• During several weekends, count nests and chicks of each species while stewarding;
• Start a monitoring and chick rescue program for 3 or 4 commercial rooftops in each county on which Least Terns will be nesting (the chicks easily can fall off without getting hurt, but can’t get back). Stewards are welcome to do either or both Beach and Rooftop programs.
Volunteers are needed and you don’t have to have any prior skills. All stewards receive training in both beach stewarding and/or rooftop stewarding (one engages people, the other finds you in parking lots possibly handling chicks). The training dates and locations follow below and we ask that you RSVP to Brad Cornell – and bring a friend! Tasks and schedule are flexible and we can use you whether you can only work one weekend or every weekend. Call (280-6278) or email (bcornell@collieraudubon.org) with questions, too. Thank you.
Brad Cornell
Southwest Florida Policy Associate
Collier County Audubon Society/Audubon of Florida
Naples
P.S. – If you are a veteran steward already trained, it is still recommended, but not required that you get trained again for the bird ID, counting methods and rooftop stewardship.
STEWARDSHIP TRAINING – Please RSVP: bcornell@collieraudubon.org
* Beach Steward Training: Sat, April 30 at 9am; at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park in the Pavilion at Parking Lot 5 (thank you to Robert Steiger, Park Manager for making this possible). This will include some beach training with the posted nesting decoys out there. All participants are to show the email or flyer inviting them to the training for free entrance to the park.
www.floridastateparks.org/delnorwiggins/default.cfm
* Rooftop Steward Training: Sat, May 14 at 11am; at Veterans Park Community Center (about 3 miles east of Delnor Wiggins SP on CR846 – 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples, 34109) with Dr. Beth Forys of Eckerd College. www.colliergov.net/Index.aspx?page=2663