Skimmer Nesting Area Posted At Sand Key Park For Threatened Shorebirds

CLEARWATER, FL — Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources, in partnership with Audubon Florida, have pre-posted a nesting area for black skimmers at the north end of Sand Key Park’s beach near the jetty.

Pre-posting means an area has been marked and protected before the shorebirds begin nesting.

Beach goers and fishermen will notice this large area is protected with signs and ropes to create an undisturbed area for breeding black skimmers, which are a threatened species of medium-sized birds in Florida with a long bill that it uses to “skim” the water in search of fish. Wooden decoys are being used to attract skimmers to this protected area.

Skimmers breed in large colonies and will lay between three to five eggs. Skimmer chicks hatch covered in soft, downy feathers and rely on their parents for food and protection. Predators include crows, gulls and coyotes. These chicks will grow quickly over a few weeks and can start flying around four weeks.

Beach goers can protect black skimmers by keeping this area undisturbed and following these steps:

• Do not enter the posted area
• Leave pets off the beach
• Walk around flocks of birds
• Take trash with you
• Report disturbances

Rangers and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission can assist when birds are being harassed.

If they nest in this area, it will remain posted until Aug. 31.