Stay in the know about wildlife, water quality, and ecosystems on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and in Southwest Florida
Shorebird Nesting Season Update: Skimmer Chick Nears Flight
The first black skimmer (Rynchops niger) chick documented on the Sanibel Causeway in three decades is thriving. The chick has reached flight-capable age, and while the SCCF shorebird team and volunteers haven’t witnessed its first flight yet, they’re watching closely for the milestone.
The rest of the Causeway colony remains active. A few dozen more skimmer chicks have hatched, and about a half-dozen adults are still incubating nests, with hatches expected soon. Meanwhile, around two dozen least tern (Sternula antillarum) nests remain on the Causeway, and a few dozen chicks have already fledged. Exact numbers remain fluid, as some birds leave the area soon after fledging, while others face pressure from avian predators such as gulls and crows.
A Quiet Fourth of July
Independence Day fireworks did not negatively impact the nesting colonies this year. SCCF staff and volunteers stood guard at the colonies through the end of the fireworks, preventing beachgoers from setting off personal pyrotechnics nearby. A few people attempted to wander into posted nesting areas but were quickly deterred by protective parent birds dive-bombing them. Between the team’s vigilance and the birds’ own defenses, the colonies made it through the holiday unharmed.
Sanibel and Neighboring Island Roundup
Nesting success remains a story of resilience amid pressure from high-tide washovers and predators like coyotes, crows, and snakes.
Sanibel Island
It’s been a tough season for snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) due to washovers and heavy predation — only four chicks have fledged so far. One active nest remains, along with a brood of two chicks. Least terns took a heavy hit from coyote depredation: one colony is holding on with one active nest and a few chicks, while another is down to a single nest that hatched at least one chick. Sanibel’s first Wilson’s plover (Charadrius wilsonia) nest in five years was unsuccessful, likely due to predation.
North Captiva and Bunche Beach
Outside Sanibel, neighboring sites saw stronger results. Both North Captiva and Bunche Beach recorded multiple Wilson’s plover broods successfully fledging chicks.
A Reminder: Respect the Dive-Bomb
As the shorebird team continues monitoring around the clock, beachgoers can help protect these vulnerable families:
- Chicks often wander outside posted string lines, and their parents will defend them wherever they go.
- If a shorebird starts dive-bombing or screaming at you, you’re too close to their young — step back to give them space.
Coastal Wildlife Update to City Council
On Tuesday, July 21, SCCF’s Coastal Wildlife team will present a sea turtle and shorebird nesting season update to Sanibel City Council, including an overview of current research. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at MacKenzie Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, and is open to the public; the presentation is expected to start around 9:30 a.m. Those unable to attend in person can watch a livestream on the City’s Facebook page.