Snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) are beginning to return to their nesting grounds on Sanibel in advance of the breeding season, which in Florida officially begins on Feb. 15. 

Given ongoing hurricane recovery efforts bringing large equipment and vehicles to the beach, the SCCF shorebird team decided to mark off a popular nesting area on east Sanibel a few weeks early to ensure the safety and protection of the birds’ nesting habitat. The decision was in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 

The new nesting area signs feature artwork from the winners of SCCF’s K-6 snowy plover art contest held last summer (artwork by Gia, age 11, is pictured here). The Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society and City of Sanibel supported funding and education for the new signs.

Learn how you can help snowy plovers and other shorebirds in Southwest Florida.