Winter Shorebird Stewardship Stats

Winter migration is a vital time for our shorebird team to survey and educate the public. We have compiled our results of the 2024-2025 winter shorebird season from the data of myself, our winter steward Jeanene Jewett aka JJ, and our incredible volunteers.

With most hurricanes skimming our coastline vs. direct impacts, migratory flock sizes were in decent numbers this season, with a return of larger gull numbers than last year. We continued to place educational signage in areas of dense public congregation to further the knowledge of giving birds space and walking around the flock. Birding tours continued with Florida Adventures and Rentals down in the 10,000 Islands.

Red tide was intermittently present throughout the fall and winter. There were not many impacts directly to the coastline, causing dead fish on beaches, but many reports of dead fish floating offshore in large numbers. Bird rescues increased, with many portraying symptoms of toxicosis. Seventy-five birds were rescued and taken to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The dredge project continues to alter the habitat of the Big Marco Pass CWA. Impacts have severely damaged mangroves and mudflats. Seagrass is no longer present, further reducing erosion control. Species declines were even greater this season. Willets, dowitchers, dunlin, and semipalmated plovers were notably the lowest in numbers. Similarly, wading birds continue to be sparse unless there are negative tides providing shallow areas to feed.

Starting mid-April, we will be aiding in the stewardship of Kice Shoals near Caxambas. This location is a hotspot for boaters, kayakers, and shellers. It is potential habitat for nesting least terns, black skimmers, and Wilson’s plovers that need protection and a common area for foraging birds nesting nearby at the Clam Factory Rookery.

Interested in volunteering? Email us at audubonwe@live.com.