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Florida Beach-Nesting Bird Report, 2005-2008

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Florida Beach-Nesting Bird Report, 2005-2008 Florida Beach-nesting Bird Report Summary of FWC’s Beach-nesting Bird Database from 2005-2008 Prepared by Chris Burney FWC Shorebird Partnership Coordinator [email protected] FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 2 3 1 Florida Beach-nesting Bird Report A look back at the data collected from 2005 to 2008 and a look forward at considerations for the future. INTRODUCTION we cannot interpret these data in the same way we would those For those of you regularly submitting data online to the Florida from a systematic survey. This means that you should use a great Beach-nesting Bird (BNB) database, you are probably very fa- deal of caution in interpreting the tables and maps presented in miliar with the activity on your stretch of beach but not sure how this report. For instance, we definitely can not draw conclusions the birds and sites you monitor factor into the bigger picture. In about population status and trends (e.g. how many Least Terns view of this, we have produced the following report which sum- nest in Florida, and whether or not they are declining) from such marizes the data compiled in the BNB database from 2005 to assorted data. Despite these limitations, the BNB database does 2008. We hope that it will provide you, our contributors, a more function as a resource for current information about the distri- statewide perspective. These data would certainly not be avail- bution (i.e. where birds are nesting) and relative abundance (i.e. able if not for the dedicated work of our partners from federal, how many pairs are nesting compared to other sites) of beach- state, and local governments to private conservation organiza- nesters and provides valuable information for developing re- tions and individuals. Thank you for your continuing efforts to gional and statewide conservation priorities. Furthermore, our monitor and protect Florida’s beach-nesting birds! network of contributors is steadily growing and expanding, giv- Please keep in mind that the BNB database was initially ing us a more comprehensive picture with each successive year. designed as a tool to provide real-time information to coastal We have accumulated a considerable amount of data managers in order to help guide management decisions (per- mitting process, determining compatible recreational uses, etc.). Photos- 1. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)- juvenile begging adult for Because there are gaps and inconsistencies in coverage and sur- food, 2. Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)- nest with eggs, 3. Least Tern (Sternula vey effort and methods vary between sites and from year to year, antillarum)- juvenile. Photos taken by Jack Rogers. 1 Nest Totals 2005-2008 (ground nests only) FWC region, and includes the number of sites that were also active during the 1998-2000 FWC Colonial Seabird Survey. 70000 Table 3 presents count totals for seabird nests and chicks by spe- 60000 cies, year, and FWC region. 50000 Shorebirds 40000 Relative to seabirds, shorebirds (due to their more secretive and Nests 30000 solitary nesting habits) are much more difficult to find and we re- 20000 ceive fewer observations as a result. Many of the data for shore- 10000 birds (Table 2) were collected during species-specific studies (e.g. 2006 State-wide Snowy Plover survey). Consequently, the 0 data are clumped in certain years for some species. Apart from 2005 2006 2007 2008 these studies, the number of observations for shorebird nests is Year gradually increasing as the network expands and partners be- come more familiar with the nesting habits of these species.. Figure 1. Annual totals for nests* submitted to the BNB database. Given the imperiled conservation status of our shore- birds, particularly Snowy Plovers, it is important to continue in three and a half years (2005 was a partial year). At the close improving the quality and extent of our coverage for these spe- of the 2008 season, over 5400 individual observations had been cies. Surveys such as the proposed annual Snowy Plover Count submitted to the BNB database and from these over 166,000 can help. This quick survey will provide a good preliminary map ground nests were recorded*. Annual totals for ground nests for nesting pairs across the state. This project will help facilitate have increased each year (Fig. 1) which is not necessarily a sign the identification and posting of additional plover nests and ul- that beach-nesting birds are rebounding but a reflection of the timately, may improve the situation for this threatened species in increasing number of monitors contributing observations to the Florida. For more information about this count and how to get BNB database each year. Hopefully, we can continue this trend involved, email [email protected]. so we can begin to develop a clearer picture of what is happening with our seabird and shorebird populations. Seabirds Bright plumages, ”dive-bombing” nest defense, colonial nesting habits, and site fidelity make seabirds easier to find than shore- DATA SUMMARIES birds. With the possible exception of our highly opportunistic and somewhat unpredictable least terns, we are confident that This report summarizes only ground-nesting data (rooftop data the majority of ground colonies in Florida are found and moni- excluded) for the following species: tored each year. For most of our seabird species we can make • Least Tern • Laughing Gull reasonable assumptions about the distribution and relative • Royal Tern • American Oystercatcher abundance of these colonies from the data. • Caspian Tern • Willet The 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey provided • Sandwich Tern • Snowy Plover important baseline information on colony size and location for • Gull-billed Tern • Wilson’s Plover much of our current monitoring. Nearly half (54/128) of the • Black Skimmer ground colonies found during the 1998-2000 survey (histori- cal sites) were active at least one year between 2005-2008 (Fig. Summary Tables 2). One hundred and one (101) new sites were added to the database from 2005-2008, giving us a total of 155 active ground Summary tables 1-3 (p. 5-7) provide basic information on nest- colonies between those years. ing activity for beach-nesting shorebirds and seabirds. Table 1 In relation to FWC regions (Map 1), ground colonies presents count totals for shorebird nests and chicks by species, are not evenly distributed around the state (Fig. 3). The major- year, and FWC region (see FWC regional boundaries, p. 8). ity occur on the west coast. The Gulf waters are comparatively Table 2 presents colony totals for seabirds by species, year, and calmer than the Atlantic Ocean, allowing a more extensive net- work of barrier islands, estuaries, and coastal lagoons to develop *Does not include rooftop nests and large colonies in the Dry Tortugas. which in turn, support a higher number and diversity of beach- 2 and management much more complicated. On the other hand, showing flexibility and “placing their eggs in a lot of baskets” re- duces the risk associated with catastrophic events. Given our limited resources and these challenges, how do we set conserva- tion priorities? Carefully. The big sites are obviously important, but the remaining small and scattered sites are arguably no less critical to protect since collectively they may represent a signifi- cant portion of the population for species that are of great con- servation concern. New Maps SW Historic Maps for select species can be found on pages 9-16. Seabird Additional maps were created with the data on Least S maps summarize colony size and location data, and shorebird maps provide nest locations only. NW NE New vs. Historic Sites, 2005-2008 Terns. The first map (Map 2) compares coverage between the NC comprehensive 1998-2000 SitesColonial by Region Seabird and Survey Species, to the 2005-2008 BNB database from 2005-2008, and the second map (Map 3) illus- 180 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 180 160 Laughing Gull 160 140 Black Skimmer 120 Gull-billed Tern 140 100 Sandwich Tern 120 Sites 80 Caspian Tern Laughing Gull 60 Royal Tern 100 Black Skimmer 40 Least Tern Species Sites 80 Gull-billed Tern 20 Total Sandwich Tern 0 60 Caspian Tern 40 Royal Tern Least Tern Species 20 Total Figure 2. Colonial seabird sites from 2005-2008 by species comparing the 0 number of new sites to the number of historic sites (recorded active during the1998-2000 FWC Colonial Seabird Survey). nesting seabirds. The impact of development and other human- The difference in number of sites (Fig. 3) between spe- related influences have not been quantified but undoubtedly play a role in distribution as well. Figure 3. Number of seabird ground colonies from 2005-2008 by species cies (i.e. least terns vs. laughing gulls) is due more to the differ- showing the distribution by region. ences in their nesting strategies than their population sizes. In general, our seabirds fall into two categories- species that nest ex- clusively in a few, large, multi-species colonies (Royal Tern, Sand- wich Tern, Caspian Tern, Laughing Gull) and exhibit strong site fidelity, and those species that are more opportunistic, nesting in colonies of varying size that are established anywhere suitable conditions present themselves. These pioneering species (Least Tern and Black Skimmer) are better at quickly taking advantage From a management perspective, there are pros and of newly formed habitats wherever they may occur and, thus, are less predictable. cons to both nesting strategies. Seabirds which consistently nest in large numbers in a few places should be easy to monitor and manage. Approximately 90% of the seabird nests (ground colonies only) are concentrated in less than 10% of the sites! However, nesting in a limited number of sites makes these spe- cies highly vulnerable should management fail or sites disappear (e.g.
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