They’re for the birds, too.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring volunteers monitor the beaches for sea turtle and shorebird and seabird nests daily.
Courting plumage is in full display on many shorebirds and AMITW is monitoring the flocks for nests, volunteer Kathy Doddridge said April 26.
There are 20 seabirds and shorebirds listed on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at myfwc.com.
Snowy plovers, American oystercatchers, black skimmers and least terns are most likely to nest on Anna Maria Island, although many other species can be observed on island beaches.
Last season, the volunteers protected a least tern colony and 64 nests in Bradenton Beach.
Two least tern chicks survived of the 30 born and were banded July 30, 2021.
Doddridge said she is waiting to see if anyone reports them to the Florida Banded Bird Alliance via their online reporting forms at flshorebirdalliance.org/resources/banded-birds.
Data collected by the alliance is used to track migration patterns and assist with the conservation of birds, according to the alliance website.
This season, royal terns are abundant. They were observed performing courtship rituals April 24 near the 700 block of North Shore Drive in Anna Maria.
The birds likely will nest on Passage Key, a birds-only refuge located between AMI and Egmont Key in Tampa Bay.
American oystercatchers also were observed foraging at the shoreline April 24 near the 700 block of North Shore Drive in Anna Maria.
While they may nest on AMI, they were not observed performing their courting rituals but are being monitored.
While no shorebird nests were identified as of April 26, volunteers reminded beachgoers of the importance of avoiding resting or courting birds.
Also birds should never be fed human food, particularly bread, as it provides no nutritional value and can cause growth and health problems.
In other nesting matters, LeAnne Addy, Anna Maria city clerk, responded to an April 12 request from The Islander as to what the city does to protect sea turtles and shorebirds.
She replied April 22 that public works and code enforcement departments monitor the beach for issues and educate beachgoers on city ordinances.
She said nighttime assessments of lighting are performed, holes in the sand are filled in and beach items left behind are removed between sunset and sunrise.
About AMITW
AMITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on threatened or endangered sea turtles. The organization also collects data on seabirds and shorebirds.
The nesting data is required to meet beach renourishment contracts and AMITW is compensated by the county for its service.
For more information, go online to islandturtlewatch.com or call executive director Suzi Fox at 941-232-1405.