Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/313059
Beach nesting birds, including the endan- gered Snowy Plovers on Siesta Key, "are beset with challenges during the nesting months of March through August," Sarasota Audubon points out in a news release. Because they lay their eggs directly on the sand, they are vulnerable to bicyclists, walkers and joggers." Snowy Plover chicks are especially vulnera- ble to being stepped on, it points out. "When they hatch, they are the size of an average human thumb and the color of sand." (See the related news in Siesta Seen this week.) On Saturday, May 17, at 8 a.m., the Sarasota Audubon Society will host its second Beach Nesting Birds Walk on Siesta Key for resi- dents, county visitors and beachgoers, the release notes. The walk will begin at the north end of the parking lot near the beach pavilion at Siesta Public Beach. Audubon President Jeanne Dubi will lead the informational excursion, focusing on "how to help out these feathered residents of Siesta Key," the release continues. Audubon mem- bers Bob Luckner, the Beach Nesting Birds Program coordinator, and Allen Worms, a wildlife biologist, will also be on hand to answer questions, the release adds. While Sarasota County is home to Least Terns, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers and Wilson Plovers, the walk will put the Snowy Plovers of Siesta Key in the spotlight, the release points out. The species' average number of 20 on Siesta represents about 10 percent of the total population in the state, the release adds. "They are also an indicator species — where Snowy Plovers thrive, the habitat is considered healthy," it points out. "It's very clear that the more people we have keeping an eye on our beach nesting birds, the more protection they have," said Dubi in the release. Participants will also have the opportunity to become Beach Stewards, an Audubon pro- gram designed to protect the birds, the release notes. Beach Stewards, who self-schedule themselves using a Google Calendar set up by Audubon, are asked to spend some time each week on Siesta Key, Lido Key or Longboat Key, checking on the birds. ID tags and infor- mation brochures are provided along with training, the release adds. Sarasota Audubon also reminds members of the public that they can take three simple steps to protect beach nesting bird areas: Keep a distance of 30 to 50 feet from those parts of SARASOTA AUDUBON TO OFFER BEACH NESTING BIRDS WALK ON SIESTA Sarasota News Leader May 16, 2014 Page 80