New bird list features more species than ever
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation recently launched a new Sanibel-Captiva Bird List that includes all of the 298 bird species that have been observed on the barrier islands, officials reported.
The SCCF Sanibel-Captiva Bird List has been developed and vetted by a suite of local birders and ornithologists, and builds upon the 2013 bird list released by the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It includes historical data and very rare observations, making it the first checklist of its kind.
The comprehensive bird species list has been formatted as a birdwatcher-friendly checklist so that residents and visitors can document the avian species they encounter on Sanibel and Captiva.
The goal of the list is to educate the Southwest Florida community on the full breadth of birdlife that has made use of the islands, whether they are full-time resident species or briefly stopping by during migration, and how important it is to maintain the habitat and resources they need to survive and thrive.
The list can be used digitally or downloaded and printed. In both formats, users can continue to mark the species of birds they have observed. In the digital PDF format, users can click on the common names of bird species to be directed to Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s AllAboutBirds.org, a great resource for more information about that species, including range maps and identification tips.
Species lists are an important tool for public outreach, as the SCCF aims to promote community and individual stewardship of regional wildlife. The list and its future updates and revisions are a resource for science and conservation, as the SCCF continues to monitor changes in the composition and abundance of biodiversity on the islands and adjust conservation management accordingly.
To view the list, visit http://www.sccf.org/downloadable-files/60956991d0d6d5355d3483f4.pdf.