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Birds

Birds, Outdoors, Sea turtles

Black skimmer colony gathering in Bradenton Beach

May 11, 2026 – Leslie Lake
January 8, 2025
By Leslie Lake
AMI Christmas Bird Count reveals some surprises

AMI Christmas Bird Count reveals some surprises

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The 125th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count on Anna Maria Island was completed on Dec. 29 and counters found a few surprises. “We were interested in what impact the hurricanes…
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August 12, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Least tern colony leaves Bradenton Beach

Least tern colony leaves Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – The strong winds, high tides and storm surge of then-Tropical Storm Debby were too much for the Island’s least tern colony on Aug. 4-5. A visit by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and…
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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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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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