Least Terns Need Your Help
With more people living and playing along Florida’s shoreline, protecting critical beach habitat for wildlife becomes an increasing challenge. One species heavily affected by loss of coastal habitat is a beach-nesting bird called the least tern
(Sternula antillarum). Due to its declining population, the least tern is considered a Threatened species and is protected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). It is also protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
In cooperation with the FFWCC, staff at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has closed approximately two acres of beach at three locations in the Reserve where least terns are nesting. Closures have occurred at the south tip of Keewaydin Island annually during nesting season (April through August) since 2002. This year, two additional locations have also been posted: the south tip of Cape Romano (Morgan Pass) and the sandbar at the north end of Kice Island.
Other species of beach-nesting birds are using these areas as well. Black skimmers (Species of Special Concern), snowy plovers (Threatened) and Wilson’s plovers (Status Undetermined) have similar habitat requirements and nest within least tern colonies. All of these species are easily disturbed by beachgoers and colonies can fail.
Signs, strung together and marked with bright orange flagging, have been installed around the perimeter of each nesting area to alert visitors to keep out. At Keewaydin Island, the shoreline remains open, and existing trails provide access across the island.
These nesting colonies are monitored to determine seasonal reproductive success and assess population trends. Protection of the colony early in the nesting season is the most important strategy employed to optimize success of the greatest number of nests, as well as survival of fledglings. This protection is critical, because as the season progresses, so does the chance of these areas being overwashed again by severe summer storms.
A combination of posting and closure, law enforcement presence, and education is necessary to maximize compliance by the public and enhance beach-nesting bird reproductive success. The Reserve will close and monitor these areas during least tern nesting season each year the terns are present as a continued effort to help protect this state-listed threatened species.
When you visit the beach, do your part to share the shore with wildlife:
- Keep your distance from resting birds
- Do not force birds to fly
- Respect posted areas
- Keep pets on a leash or on your boat, or leave them at home
- Don’t leave any litter behind
- Never deploy fireworks at or near an active nesting beach
Another threat to least tern nesting colonies is tidal overwash. Several areas locally that were once suitable for nesting have been reshaped over time and are no longer high enough or wide enough to sustain a colony. These changes can also occur overnight.