SCCF: First snowy plover nest of season on islands
On March 26, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that the first snowy plover nest of the 2024 breeding season was recently discovered by the shorebird team, which promptly roped off the area to give space and protection to the state-threatened birds.
The nest belongs to a familiar male, known as White/Blue, who was banded as an adult on Sanibel in 2019 and has fledged chicks on the island every year since.
“Last year, White/Blue, or Super Dad, as we call him, raised two full broods of chicks to fledging — that’s six total chicks with a 100% fledge success rate,” shorebird technician Aaron White said. “We’re hoping that White/Blue and all of our other future nesting pairs will be just as successful at raising chicks as he was last year.”
The SCCF reported that with help from volunteers, White/Blue’s nest — and any other snowy plover activity on the island — is monitored on a daily basis.
Shorebird numbers are declining worldwide due to habitat loss, development projects, climate change and other factors. The public can help contribute to the preservation of the species by giving them the space that they need to rest, forage and raise their young during nesting season. For more information on how to help shorebirds, visit https://sancaplifesavers.org/shorebirds/.
Shorebird nesting season began in February and will continue through August. The SCCF shorebird team monitors the nesting activity of snowy plovers, Wilson’s plovers, least terns and killdeer.
The SCCF noted that if you find a shorebird nest with eggs, do not touch it — leave enough space for the bird to resume incubating and contact the shorebird team immediately at 813-756-8773.
For questions, email shorebirds@sccf.org.