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Shorebird Team Monitoring 2 Snowy Plover Nests
The SCCF shorebird team is monitoring Sanibel’s first two snowy plover (Anarhynchus nivosus) nests of the year.
“One belongs to a familiar face, a male known as White/Blue who was banded as an adult on Sanibel in 2019 and has nested every year on the island since,” said SCCF Shorebird Technician Sami Hinsz. “The other nest belongs to an unbanded pair.”
Last year was the first year in the snowy plover program’s history no chicks were fledged on the island.
“We’re hoping this year proves to be more successful! With the help of our volunteers, we are checking nests on a daily basis,” Hinsz said. “Both nests are roped off to protect these state-threatened birds.”
Shorebird nesting season on Sanibel begins in February and can continue through August. Our shorebird team monitors snowy plovers, Wilson’s plovers (Anarhynchus wilsonia), least terns (Sternula antillarum), and killdeer (Charadrius vociferus).