SCCF: Shorebird nesting season wraps up
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that least terns were observed foraging along Sanibel’s shoreline this year, but ultimately did not nest on the island.
A single pair of Wilson’s plovers successfully fledged three chicks, and four pairs of snowy plovers fledged three chicks. The snowy plover chicks were banded to allow researchers to track their movements. One banded fledgling was recently sighted at Bunche Beach before it traveled to Carlos Pointe on Fort Myers Beach. Another fledgling was spotted at Bowman’s Beach.
“It’s always exciting to see where fully-fledged shorebirds will show up,” shorebird biologist and Coastal Wildlife Manager Audrey Albrecht said.
Sanibel’s nesting stats are as follows:
SNOWY PLOVERS
– Four nesting pairs
– Nine nest attempts
– Four nests hatched 12 chicks
– Three chicks fledged
– Five nests failed
WILSON’S PLOVERS
– One nesting pair
– One nest attempt
– Three chicks fledged
The SCCF noted that the total do not include North Captiva or Bunche Beach.