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FWC Files Charges after Truck Drives Through Least Tern Colony on Causeway Island
On a Friday evening last month, the SCCF shorebird team was alerted by a wildlife security camera app to a motion disturbance in the least tern colony on a Sanibel Causeway island.
Camera footage showed that a truck was driven into the nesting area. The team then coordinated with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) through the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to enforce the posted nesting area.
When they arrived at the Causeway island, the truck was still there parked outside the colony, and individuals were fishing under the bridge.
RELATED STORY: Least Terns & Black Skimmers Nest Again on Causeway
Some other fishermen told them they witnessed the truck drive through to the end, drop off some stuff, and turn around. He then drove out, parked outside the colony, and walked back through.
Before two FWC officers arrived, the two men got in the truck and left.
Since they turned right instead of left, the officers assumed they were still on the islands somewhere.
FWC was able to track them down to another part of Sanibel Island.
The shorebird team was given permission to go into the colony and check for “take” where the vehicle had driven.
“Thankfully, there were no crushed nests or chicks in the tire tracks. We do not know whether there were injured chicks, though we did not see any in the days that followed,” they said.
The FWC officer investigating the incident filed charges with the Lee County State Attorney’s Office related to the harassment and take of least terns at the nesting site.
“It was great to see FWC taking the disturbance so seriously and actually holding the offenders accountable for their actions,” said the shorebird team. “We are grateful for our partnership with FWC and appreciate when enforcement occurs. It helps the public understand why we protect these nesting areas and that there are repercussions for ignoring the postings.”
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An FWC press release related to the July 10 incident explained the following:
Least terns are protected under both state and federal law, and it is illegal to harass, disturb, or take these birds, their nests, eggs, or young. Posted nesting areas are established to protect vulnerable shorebirds during the critical breeding and nesting season.
Disturbance in or near a nesting colony can have serious consequences for shorebirds. When birds are repeatedly flushed from their nests, they may leave eggs and chicks exposed to extreme heat, predators, and other threats. Continued disturbance can also cause birds to abandon a nesting area altogether, potentially reducing nesting success and affecting local populations.
The FWC takes wildlife violations seriously and works to protect Florida’s native wildlife and the habitats they depend on. We encourage the public to respect posted wildlife closures and give nesting shorebirds plenty of space. Anyone who witnesses the harassment, disturbance, or illegal take of shorebirds or other protected wildlife is encouraged to report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (tel:888-404-FWCC) (3922).
Florida also has rules governing activities in protected wildlife areas and posted shorebird nesting sites. The public should avoid entering posted and restricted areas, disturbing nesting birds, or approaching nests and chicks – keep at least 300 feet away to avoid disturbance.
Even seemingly minor disturbances can cause birds to abandon nests or expose eggs and chicks to predators and other threats. More information on shorebirds and ways people can help with their nesting success can be found on the FWC website: MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and beachnestingbirdsbrochure.pdf.