For more than a decade, SCCF has been a part of the Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA). The FSA is comprised of a network of regional partnerships that work together for the conservation and protection of shorebirds and seabirds in Florida.

 

SCCF is part of a Lee/Charlotte partnership. The partnership is made up of various organizations including federal, state, county, and local municipalities, as well as nonprofits and volunteers. The group meets twice a year—in the spring and fall—to discuss the shorebird nesting season.

 

From March to August every year, the partners complete surveys of their designated routes during the monthly count windows. The synchronized statewide counts help the FSA estimate populations and identify trends. All nesting activity is reported in the Florida Shorebird Database. Nests of solitary nesting shorebirds, such as plovers and oystercatchers, are recorded and monitored differently than those of colonial nesting seabirds, such as skimmers and terns. In addition to ground-nesting birds, there are some species that also nest on rooftops.

 

SCCF continues to cover the same seven routes on Sanibel and two on Captiva, as well as a North Captiva route, explains SCCF Shorebird Biologist Audrey Albrecht. Additionally, staff assist with sites in Fort Myers when coverage is needed. These routes are covered monthly throughout the year for routine shorebird surveys, but additional nesting data is collected during the breeding season count windows.

 

There are many great resources available on the FSA website, including instructions, manuals, reports, brochures, and even coloring books. To find out more about the FSA or how to get involved, email our shorebird biologist at shorebirds@sccf.org or visit Florida Shorebird Alliance.