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Birds

Birds, Fishing, Outdoors

Reel Time: For the birds

Apr 21, 2026 – Rusty Chinnis
July 23, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern chicks fitted with tracking bands

Least tern chicks fitted with tracking bands

BRADENTON BEACH – Four least tern chicks in a local nesting colony have been outfitted with color-coded bands to help researchers study their migration patterns along with population and breeding suc…
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July 17, 2024
By Leslie Lake
First least tern chick takes flight

First least tern chick takes flight

BRADENTON BEACH – At a colony of 45 least terns, eight chicks vary in ages from one to four weeks and the oldest chicks are gaining their flight feathers and practicing flying. On July 8, shorebird…
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July 1, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Growing least tern colony vulnerable to firework

Growing least tern colony vulnerable to fireworks

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring and Audubon Florida remind beachgoers to avoid disturbing nesting shorebirds with fireworks. Setting off fireworks on AMI…
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June 25, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern chicks hatch in Bradenton Beach

Least tern chicks hatch in Bradenton Beach

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. Rainfa…
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June 19, 2024
By Leslie Lake

Loggerhead, least tern nests weather heavy rains

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Both loggerhead sea turtle and least tern nests fared well during last week’s heavy rains, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. “The storm was pr…
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June 11, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern numbers increasing

Least tern numbers increasing

BRADENTON BEACH – A colony of least terns is continuing to grow and now has 36 birds with 20 of those sitting on eggs in the sand. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring has been wa…
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May 28, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern colony thriving on beach

Least tern colony thriving on beach

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reports that a colony of least terns on the beach is thriving. As of May 24, there are 15 birds on nests and 29 individuals…
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May 13, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Season’s first shorebird nest discovered

Season’s first shorebird nest discovered

BRADENTON BEACH – The first shorebird nests this year on Anna Maria Island have been spotted and marked by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers. A colony of least terns…
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September 18, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Flamingos flock to Florida during hurricane

Flamingos flock to Florida during hurricane

TAMPA BAY – Hurricane Idalia’s Category 3 landfall in late August brought rain, wind and – surprisingly – flamingos to Florida. American flamingos were commonly seen in Florida until about 1900 unti…
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June 26, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Fireworks pose danger to wildlife

Fireworks pose danger to wildlife

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – While it’s common knowledge that house pets are easily spooked by fireworks, local animal advocates remind people about the disruption to wildlife from loud and light-filled Fourt…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting