Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/273295
It's tricky being a snowy plover on Siesta Key, Sarasota Audubon members point out. From March through August, the birds have to build their nests, lay eggs and raise their young during the same period when thousands of people walk the beach, children chase balls in games of catch and July Fourth festivities take place, for just a few examples, a news release points out. On Saturday, March 15, at 8 a.m. at the Siesta Key Public Beach pavilion (on the north end of the park), Sarasota Audubon Society President Jeanne Dubi will lead an informa- tional beach walk about the birds. Audubon members Bob Luckner, the program coordi- nator, and Allen Worms, a wildlife biologist, will also be on hand to answer questions, the release continues. "It's absolutely clear that the more beach stewards we have, the better the chance of ... our snowy plover chicks successfully fledg- ing to adulthood," said Dubi in the release. "Our program trains 20 to 30 beach stewards each year to monitor nests and be 'chick checkers.'" Beach stewards may also serve as Beach Nesting Bird Ambassadors, the release points out — people who educate the public on the beach about the birds and their habitat. Other beach nesting species that join the plovers on Siesta are the least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher and Wilson plover, the release notes. Beach stewards self-sched- ule themselves using a Google Calendar set up by Audubon, the release notes. They are asked to spend some time each week on INFORMATIONAL BEACH WALK TO FOCUS ON BEACH NESTING BIRDS A snowy plover chick is well camouflaged on the sand of Siesta Public Beach. Contributed photo by Rick Greenspun courtesy of Sarasota Audubon Sarasota News Leader March 7, 2014 Page 93