Attention SW Florida Winter Snowbirds –
Join Us on a New Project to Help Our
Feathered Snowbirds!
Audubon of Southwest Florida and our Lee Shorebird Partnership allies are
launching a new Winter Shorebird Stewardship Project to protect migratory and
wintering birds on our beaches. Building on our successful summer Beach Nesting
Bird Stewardship Project on Ft. Myers Beach and rooftops, the Winter Shorebird
Stewardship Project will educate the many thousands of beachgoers during high
season on ways to protect the flocks of resting and foraging migratory and
wintering species – many of which are imperiled and declining.
One such species – the rufus Red Knot – has finally just been listed last month by
the US Fish & Wildlife Service as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.
Essential and long overdue, and we have to help, too. Another is the federally
endangered Piping Plover. Both of these species are on our beaches in the
winter, along with many others. Their survival depends on a successful summer
breeding season, which in turn requires gaining weight on ours and wintering
beaches around the world. Science tells us lack of food and rest in the winter and
during migration are huge factors in their decline. Winter is also when humans
are on these warm beaches in big numbers.
Shorebird Stewards briefly talk to beachgoers about walking around flocks and
not feeding gulls. They will also collect important citizen science data on any
banded birds seen, general flock size and causes of flushing. And, if you are a
professional or amateur photographer, we have some special needs for you!
If you enjoy birds and beaches, please join us this February – April, 2015.
Audubon of Southwest Florida is professionally staffing the project coordination,
but it only will work if bird and beach lovers step up to volunteer a few hours per
week or month – the more, the better. Our pilot project will focus on Bunche
Beach, Central Ft. Myers Beach and Barefoot Beach near Bonita Springs. All
stewards will be trained, given a uniform (t-shirt!), access to a spotting
scope/optics, and share in the comradery of fellow advocates committed to
sharing our beaches with these amazing wildlife species!
TO JOIN US: Come to our breakfast training session at Lovers’ Key State Park on
Sunday, February 8, 2015, 9:00 – 11:30am. Please RSVP by calling or emailing
Brad Cornell at 239-280-6278, or [email protected]. THANK YOU!