Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring announced April 28 that it cordoned off an area in Bradenton Beach where black skimmers began gathering the week beginning April 21.
Skimmers spend their entire lives in coastal areas, usually around sandy beaches and islands, although a few colonies can be found in inland locations with large lakes, particularly in Florida and California.
They nest in areas of open sand, gravel or shell with sparse vegetation or broad mats of wrack, according to AMITW.
If the skimmers nest in the Bradenton Beach location, it will be the first time since 2017 that Anna Maria Island has had a colony of nesting black skimmers. AMITW did not publicize the specific location to avoid attracting photographers and others to the site.
Previous colonies failed due to human interference, according to AMITW.
AMITW said it is important that people stay away from the birds. Since they haven’t settled on a location yet, they may establish a nest site outside of the posted area.
If birds are flushed while establishing a nest site, they might move to a less suitable location.
For more information about nesting shorebirds and seabirds, go to islandturtlewatch.com. People also can call AMITW at 941-301 8434.