:

 

More than 20 volunteers covered Siesta Key this past Memorial Day weekend on Friday through Monday from 8am until 9pm, some doing multi shifts and as many as 14 hours over the weekend.

 

The result was that two of the three Snowy Plover chicks survived the weekend, which is a miracle.

 

Those chicks are now 13 days old. Last year, no chicks survived more than one day; the previous year, only one chick made it to fledgling stage. The current status is 2 chicks and two active nests.

 

Our task entails working the parking lot at Access 7 to educate the public and prevent them from walking through to the beach at that spot. 99% of the people are OK with it. The other big task is to trail the chicks around the beach to stop people from stepping on them and also to hand out brochures and talk to the public.

 

Actions for you:

1. If you know of anyone who would like to help out on subsequent weekends, and especially on July 4 which will be crucial, please contact us at 355-1709.
2. When you're at the beach any time this summer, please be alert for beach nesting birds.
3. Help keep our beaches clean by picking up trash and other items which not only litter our shore but which attract predators like crows and raccoons. 

Thank you for your continued support! 

 

-Jeanne Dubi, Sarasota Audubon President