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Sarasota Audubon Update

Success for Snowy Plovers
 and Least Terns on Siesta Key,
Thanks to Your Dedication
 
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Snowy Plover Nest on Siesta Key. Photo credit: Claire Smithers
SnowyPloverNest
What starts as a tiny egg develops into something grand. And in that spirit, the grassroots efforts of many made this summer a successful beach nesting season for birds on Siesta Key. So many people and organizations came together to make a difference.
 
We were able to help seven (7) Snowy Plover chicks and one (1) Least Tern chick to fledge this year. Several factors contributed to the success. We're sending a special shout out to all of the individuals and organizations who took a stand and volunteered their time.
 
Learn more about this exciting success below. 
 
And check out our Fall Meeting schedule here! We're kicking off another season in October.
 
 
What was so different this year?
 
It took a village, that's for sure! Here are some factors that contributed to a successful beach nesting bird season on Siesta Key:
  • Sarasota County (and the BOCC) allowed us to close the pedestrian path from the Access 7 parking lot. Go Sarasota County!  We are grateful.

  • Nighttime security guard on duty at Accesses 7 & 8 to limit after hours shenanigans, funded by Parks & Rec. 

  • Volunteers in the parking lot spoke to many folks handed out brochures and did a fab PR job for the birds. It's all about forming new friendships with potential advocates, and of course, education.

  • Many volunteers located the chicks in the morning and then trailed the chicks on the beach (an exceedingly hot and arduous task, especially on holiday weekends) to keep folks away from them, also educating them in the process-another fab PR job.

  • Success in limiting beach raking in the nursery area.  

  • Buffering nesting zones, some on private property (with permission). 
 

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These Beach Nesting Birds Advocates Made it Possible
 
Jean Adams, Susan & Nick Almario, Nancy Bangham, Sarasota Board of County Commissioners, Marie Brooks-Demaud, Julie Byrne, Tony Damian, Judy DeMersman, Nancy Douglass, Jeanne Dubi, Nancy Edmondson, Lynda Eppinger, Jerris Foote, Ann & Rima Gasparini, Cheryl Gladdie, Rick Greenspun, Mary Heinlen & daughter, Rachel Herman, Claire Herzog, Stu Hills, Karen Jensen, Ann Kaplan, Wilma Katz, Dianne Kennedy, Marianne Korosy, Barbara Loveridge, Bob & Catherine Luckner, Peg Magee, Nick Marin, Kristen Mazzarella, Maria Elisabeth Mantius, John McCarthy, Dick Miles, Linda & Rich Moreau, Robert Pasquali, Ruth Ellen Peipert, Jonathan Poyner, Kathi Rader-Gibson, Penney Rist, Barry Rossheim, Bonnie Samuelsen, Pat Sharp, Kyle Shenk, Andrea & Mike Shlasko, Carolyn Smithers, Claire Smithers, Michelle van Deventer, Jennifer Vreeland, Paula Wagner, Gayle Wardner, Deurita Wieczorek, John Whitehead, Roxanne Williamson, Allan Worms
 
These Organizations Stepped Out & Were Integral To Our Success

Sarasota County Parks & Rec, Gulf View Condominiums, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Siesta Key Association, Beachaven Condos, Mark Clibbard (beach raker), Coastal Wildlife Club, and Sarasota Audubon.  
 
 
Thank you for advocating 
 for our beach nesting birds!