BRADENTON BEACH – Since a colony of least terns began nesting the week of May 6, their numbers have grown to include 45 birds, with 20 of them sitting on eggs, along with five new hatchlings.
Rainfall during the week of June 10 raised concerns about the colony’s survival. At that time many of the eggs had been incubating for more than 25 days and were expected to be close to hatching.
Not only did the colony survive the storms, but throughout the weekend five chicks could be seen peering out from under their parents, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella.
“Least tern chicks are highly mobile within a day of hatching. The adults can be seen using fish to coax the chicks to stand, open their bills and experience a fish in their mouth,” Mazzarella said in a press release. “At two days the adults lead the chicks around the colony to strengthen their legs and may leave the chicks unattended.”
Eventually, the chicks will use chick huts, upside-down V-shaped shade structures, as shelter, allowing the adults to forage offshore and feed fish to the chicks. The chick huts protect the chicks from predators such as fish crows and laughing gulls.
“Chick Crossing” signs have been placed at the north and south ends of the colony. In addition, chick fencing has been placed to deter chicks from going into the beach access area.
Beachgoers are asked to watch for chicks that may decide to explore outside the posted area and allow the least tern adults to call the chicks back into the enclosure.
Mazzarella offered the following tips to keep the colony safe:
• Keep your distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests you are too close. A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet away from a nest.
• Respect posted areas. Avoid posted nests and resting areas and use designated walkways.
• Never intentionally force birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration.
• Pets are not allowed on AMI beaches. Keep cats indoors.
• Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows to the beaches. Litter on beaches can entangle birds.
• Spread the word. If you see people disturbing nesting birds, gently remind them how their actions may hurt birds’ survival. If they continue to disturb nesting birds, please call and report their activities to FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
For more information or ways to help protect nesting shorebirds and seabirds, visit islandturtlewatch.com.
