Florida Beach-Nesting Bird Report, 2005-2008

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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

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 shorebirds, 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 network 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 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 and management much more complicated. On the other hand, New vs. Historic Sites, 2005-2008 180 showing flexibility and “placing their eggs in a lot of baskets” re-

160 duces the risk associated with catastrophic events. Given our limited resources and these challenges, how do we set conserva- 140 New tion priorities? Carefully. The big sites are obviously important, but the remaining small and scattered sites are arguably no less 120 Historic critical to protect since collectively they may represent a significant portion of the population for species that are of great con- 100 servation concern. Sites 80 Maps 60 Maps for select species can be found on pages 9-16. Seabird maps summarize colony size and location data, and shorebird 40 maps provide nest locations only.

20 Additional maps were created with the data on Least Terns. The first map (Map 2) compares coverage between the 0 comprehensive 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey to the BNB T L R C S G B L o ea o a a u la au ta s ya sp nd ll- c g database from 2005-2008, and the second map (Map 3) illus- l t T l ia w b k h e Te n ic ill Sk in rn rn T h ed im g er T T G n er e m ul n rn er l

Species 180 Sites by Region and Species, 2005-2008

Figure 2. Colonial seabird sites from 2005-2008 by species comparing the number of new sites to the number of historic sites (recorded active during 160 the1998-2000 FWC Colonial Seabird Survey). SW 140 nesting seabirds. The impact of development and other human- S related influences have not been quantified but undoubtedly NW play a role in distribution as well. 120 The difference in number of sites (Fig. 3) between spe- NE cies (i.e. least terns vs. laughing gulls) is due more to the differ- NC 100 ences in their nesting strategies than their population sizes. In

general, our seabirds fall into two categories- species that nest ex- Sites clusively in a few, large, multi-species colonies (Royal Tern, Sand- 80 wich Tern, Caspian Tern, Laughing Gull) and exhibit strong site fidelity, and those species that are more opportunistic, nesting 60 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 40 of newly formed habitats wherever they may occur and, thus, are less predictable. 20 From a management perspective, there are pros and cons to both nesting strategies. Seabirds which consistently nest in large numbers in a few places should be easy to monitor 0 T L R C S G B L o ea o a a u la au and manage. Approximately 90% of the seabird nests (ground ta s ya sp nd ll- c g l t T l ia w b k h e Te n ic ill Sk in rn rn T h ed im g colonies only) are concentrated in less than 10% of the sites! er T T G n er e m ul However, nesting in a limited number of sites makes these spe- n rn er l cies highly vulnerable should management fail or sites disappear Species (e.g. Passage Key). Conversely, the opportunistic species nest Figure 3. Number of seabird ground colonies from 2005-2008 by species too randomly and in many places, making effective monitoring showing the distribution by region.

3 cies of beach-nesting shorebird and seabird. Nests Observed by Species, 2005-2008 LARIDAE 7902 Larinae * 133 • Leucophaeus atricilla Laughing Gull- formerly in the genus Larus Least Tern 4800 Sterninae Royal Tern • Onychoprion fuscatus Sooty Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna 809 • Onychoprion anaethetus Bridled Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Caspian Tern • Sternula antillarum Least Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna 119858 20097 Sandwich Tern • Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Gull-billed Tern* • Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna • Thalasseus maximus Royal Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Black Skimmer • Thalasseus sandvicensis Sandwich Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna 11202 Laughing Gull SCOLOPACIDAE Scolopacinae • Tringa semipalmata Willet- formerly in the genus Catoptrophorus Figure 3. Total number of nests for seabird species recorded in the BNB database from 2005-2008. trates the expansion of coverage by the BNB network between FUTURE DIRECTION 2005-2008. As we have discussed in this newsletter, monitoring efforts to date by this network of partners have been focused on the management objectives of finding and conserving beach-nesters. SPECIES UNKOWN We believe that with minor modifications to the database and Some species are inherently difficult to count- they are either ex- monitoring protocol we can begin to collect the data necessary ceedingly rare or very secretive. Gull-billed Terns are probably to estimate population size and trends for many of our BNB spe- both, and the scant number of recent records is either cause for cies. concern or an indication we need to redouble our efforts when Consistency and coordination will be the key to de- looking for this species. Gull-billed Terns are unpredictable since signing a successful population monitoring program- a modest they exhibit limited fidelity to nesting sites from year to year and number of surveys need to be conducted at all sites simultane- can be found in unusual places (e.g. phosphate mines, agricul- ously each year. Frequency and synchrony of surveys are some tural areas). They typically nest in mixed-species colonies on of the particulars our network of partners will help to address sandy barrier or dredge spoil islands, and are occasionally found during the upcoming 2009 season as we continue to develop utilizing gravel rooftops. So next year, try to scan your colonies a survey and monitoring protocol that balances simplicity and a little more closely and hopefully you will get lucky and find an value. More on this later.... oddball tern with a stout all-black bill. Another species for which we have very little data is the Willet. Willets are more common and widespread than Gull- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS billed Terns but even more secretive in their nesting habits. The Every single data point helps, and the list of contributors is too long adults, themselves, can be highly conspicuous. If you approach to present in this document. We greatly appreciate all the time too closely to the nest, adults will harshly scold you from an ele- and energy spent collecting and getting the data entered into the vated perch. However, observers rarely elicit this response since website. For the regional coordinators who accepted the roll as the nests are often well-hidden and out-of-the-way within dune ‘data entry specialist’ and entered mountains of data- we can not and marsh vegetation. If you do find yourself face-to-face with thank you enough. a raucous Willet obviously displeased with your presence, you may have a new data point nearby. Tread lightly! Feedback. As this was our first summary report of the BNB database, we welcome comments and suggestions on how we can improve NAME CHANGES similar reports in the future. Please email them to Chris Burney, FWC Recently, the American Ornithological Union (AOU) made Shorebird Partnership Coordinator ([email protected])- significant changes in the scientific nomenclature of several spe- Thank you.

4 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008

Species Regions Alln Allc ‘05n ‘05c ‘06n ‘06c ‘07n ‘07c ‘08n ‘08c

American Oystercatcher Total 373 89 6 4 121 31 112 29 134 25 Haematopus palliatus NC 26 14 0 0 0 6 3 0 23 8 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 20 6 0 1 13 1 2 4 5 0 S 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 SW 327 66 6 1 108 24 107 24 106 17

Willet Total 228 6 10 2 47 0 78 3 93 1 Tringa semipalmata NC 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 NE 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 NW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 223 5 10 2 46 0 77 2 90 1

Snowy Plover Total 602 388 50 36 262 40 62 60 228 252 Charadrius alexandrinus NC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 440 246 3 5 225 11 30 21 182 209 S 2 3 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 SW 160 139 47 31 35 26 32 39 46 43

Wilson’s Plover Total 464 404 25 22 151 119 128 122 160 141 Charadrius wilsonia NC 21 35 0 0 3 7 1 8 17 20 NE 39 107 0 0 10 40 8 48 21 19 NW 34 0 0 0 31 0 2 0 1 0 S 43 41 0 0 16 23 13 5 14 13 SW 327 221 25 22 91 49 104 61 107 89

All species Total 1667 887 91 64 581 190 380 214 615 419 NC 49 49 0 0 3 13 4 8 42 28 NE 42 108 0 0 11 40 9 49 22 19 NW 494 252 3 6 269 12 34 25 188 209 S 45 47 0 2 18 26 13 6 14 13 SW 1037 431 88 56 280 99 320 126 349 150

Table 1. Number of shorebird nests and chicks by species, region, and year (ground nests only).

5 Species Regions All Allhis ‘05 ‘05his ‘06 ‘06his ‘07 ‘07his ‘08 ‘08his

Least Tern Total 136 48 33 18 69 36 72 22 61 24 Sternula antillarum NC 6 2 0 0 3 1 4 1 5 2 NE 7 3 1 1 5 3 5 3 7 3 NW 53 25 13 8 35 20 23 6 21 10 S 12 6 2 2 4 3 11 5 5 4 SW 58 12 17 7 22 9 29 7 23 5

Black Skimmer Total 62 24 15 8 26 15 25 7 23 10 Rynchops niger NC 4 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 1 NE 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 NW 16 10 5 4 10 7 4 2 5 3 S 4 2 1 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 SW 36 10 9 3 13 6 17 4 13 5

Royal Tern Total 9 7 3 2 7 6 5 3 5 4 Thalasseus maximus NC 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 5 3 1 0 4 3 4 2 4 3

Caspian Tern Total 7 5 1 1 2 2 3 3 6 3 Hydroprogne caspia NC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 4 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 4 2

Sandwich Tern Total 8 6 3 2 5 4 5 3 5 4 Thalasseus sandvicensis NC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 5 3 1 0 3 2 4 2 4 3

Gull-billed Tern Total 6 4 2 2 4 3 2 1 3 1 Gelochelidon nilotica NC 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0

Laughing Gull Total 12 8 5 3 7 5 5 2 7 4 Leucophaeus atricilla NC 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 7 3 1 0 5 3 5 2 6 3

All species Total 155 54 40 22 78 41 83 25 69 27 NC 9 5 0 0 5 3 4 1 6 3 NE 9 3 1 1 5 3 6 3 8 3 NW 55 27 16 11 36 21 24 7 21 10 S 12 6 2 2 4 3 11 5 5 4 SW 70 13 21 8 28 11 38 9 29 7

Table 2. Number of colonial seabird sites by species, region, and year (ground colonies only). For each total, the number of historic sites (his) from the 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey that were active at least one season between 2005-2008 are provided in light gray (Ex. Of the 136 different sites recorded for Least Tern from 2005-2008, 48 were active during the 1998-2000 survey).

6 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008

Species Regions Alln Allc ‘05n ‘05c ‘06n ‘06c ‘07n ‘07c ‘08n ‘08c

Least Tern Total 11202 2013 1613 121 2861 562 3073 570 3655 760 Sternula antillarum NC 269 74 0 0 92 33 21 1 156 40 NE 1197 275 23 0 458 114 452 121 264 40 NW 1230 252 112 50 603 120 272 43 243 39 S 3066 340 735 0 474 0 1008 129 849 211 SW 5440 1072 743 71 1234 295 1320 276 2143 430

Black Skimmer Total 7369 1925 1055 94 1526 620 2648 699 2140 512 Rynchops niger NC 531 11 0 0 195 11 0 0 336 0 NE 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 NW 718 139 151 22 157 103 230 14 180 0 S 1317 686 2 0 351 141 575 305 389 240 SW 5334 1100 902 72 1018 376 1843 380 1571 272

Royal Tern Total 20097 4662 1099 302 4269 2079 6299 1456 8430 825 Thalasseus maximus NC 500 60 0 0 500 60 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 3769 1669 799 2 302 1219 1211 123 1457 325 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 15828 2933 300 300 3467 800 5088 1333 6973 500

Caspian Tern Total 809 31 189 0 113 14 245 4 262 13 Hydroprogne caspia NC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 541 29 189 0 25 14 174 4 153 11 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 268 2 0 0 88 0 71 0 109 2

Sandwich Tern Total 4800 1101 92 0 1132 387 1400 479 2176 235 Thalasseus sandvicensis NC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 1685 543 87 0 338 387 270 6 990 150 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 3115 558 5 0 794 0 1130 473 1186 85

Gull-billed Tern Total 133 23 17 0 40 7 55 16 21 0 Gelochelidon nilotica NC 17 5 0 0 15 5 0 0 2 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 101 16 17 0 21 2 48 14 15 0 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 15 2 0 0 4 0 7 2 4 0

Laughing Gull Total 119858 6029 6564 0 27350 504 43975 3525 41969 2000 Leucophaeus atricilla NC 3000 504 0 0 3000 504 0 0 0 0 NE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NW 2633 0 2564 0 0 0 0 0 69 0 S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SW 114225 5525 4000 0 24350 0 43975 3525 41900 2000

All species Total 164268 15784 10629 517 37291 4173 57695 6749 58653 4345 NC 4317 654 0 0 3802 613 21 1 494 40 NE 1199 278 23 0 458 114 453 122 265 42 NW 10677 2648 3919 74 1446 1845 2205 204 3107 525 S 4383 1026 737 0 825 141 1583 434 1238 451 SW 144225 11192 5950 443 30955 1471 53434 5989 53886 3289

Table 3. Number of colonial seabird nests and chicks by species, region, and year (ground colonies only).

7 MAP 1

NORTHWEST

NORTH CENTRAL

NORTHEAST

SOUTHWEST

SOUTH

FWC REGIONS

Map 1. FWC Regions

8 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 MAP 2

Map 2. Coverage? Coverage refers to the extent to which all available habitat was surveyed. The important question is “Did our combined efforts result in complete coverage with all sites surveyed?”

When we compare locations of least tern colonies found during the 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey (a systematic statewide survey assumed to represent complete coverage) to least tern colony locations submitted to the BNB Database from 2005-2008, we find that the distribution is generally similar indicating our coverage is relatively comprehensive.

Important note: Discrepancies between the two maps may represent gaps in our network (areas not surveyed) or sites that are no LEAST TERN longer used by least terns. In order for us to Ground colonies determine the difference, it is extremely im- 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey portant that contributors submit data on sites they have visited even when no beach-nesters are present!

small colony (2-10 nests)

large colony (200+ nests)

LEAST TERN Ground colonies 2005-2008 BNB Database

9 MAP 3

LEAST TERN LEAST TERN Ground colonies Ground colonies 2005 2006

small colony (2-10 nests)

large colony (200+ nests)

LEAST TERN LEAST TERN Ground colonies Ground colonies 2007 2008

Map 3. Expansion This series of maps illustrates the increased coverage with each successive year. Obviously, the difference between 2005 and 2006 was marked since 2005 was a partial season. The changes between the years following 2005 are more subtle, but new areas were steadily getting included.

10 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 MAP 4

1 3

small colony (2-10 nests) 7 10 large colony (200+ nests)

LEAST TERN 2 5 6 Ground colonies 2005-2008 BNB Database

Map 4. Least Tern Sternula antillarum Map of all Least Tern ground colonies (N=136) submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008. Ground colonies with the highest annual count of nests ( ) are listed below and labeled on the map. 1. Three Rooker Bar (475) 7. Little Estero Island (181) 2. Marco Island City Beach, North End (336) 8. Anna Maria Island - Jack Egan’s (205) 3. Anclote Key (200) 9. Charlotte Beach State Recreation Area (274) 4. Matanzas Inlet Critical Wildlife Area (223) 10. Least Tern Colony Lover’s Key (150) 5. Kice Island, North end (170) 6. Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area (592)

11 MAP 5

3 8

4 5 10

2 6

small colony (2-10 nests)

large colony (100+ nests) 12 BLACK SKIMMER Ground colonies 2005-2008 BNB Database

Map 5. Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Map of all Black Skimmer ground colonies (N=75) submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008. Ground colonies with the highest annual count of nests ( ) are listed below and labeled on the map. 1. St. George Island Causeway (142) 7. Huguenot Memorial Park (125) 2. Anna Maria Island - Jack Egan’s (333) 8. Three Rooker Bar (620) 3. Anclote Bar (160) 9. TPA Island 3 D (210) 4. Landmark II - Sand Key (250) 10. Marker 10 - S. Clearwater Harbor (180) 5. Bellaire Beach- Key Condo (260) 11. Big Bird Island (261) 6. Egmont Key (550) 12. Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area (487)

12 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 MAP 6

3 4

5 7 8

small colony (1-150 nests)

large colony (1000+ nests)

LAUGHING GULL Ground colonies 2005-2008 BNB Database

Map 6. Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla Map of all Laughing Gull ground colonies (N=12) submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008. Ground colonies with the highest annual count of nests ( ) are listed below and labeled on the map. 1. Huguenot Memorial Park (3000) 7. Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Sanctuary (150) 2. Audubon Island (6) 8. TPA Island 3D (4700) 3. Bird Island, Apalachicola (69) 9. Egmont Key (32,450) 4. St. George Island Causeway (2554) 5. Tampa Port Authority Spoil Island 2D (5850) 6. Three Rooker Bar (7850)

13 MAP 7

3 4

small colony (1-10 nests)

large colony (1000+ nests)

ROYAL TERN Ground colonies 2005-2008 BNB Database

Map 7. Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Map of all Royal Tern ground colonies (N=9) submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008. Ground colonies with the highest annual count of nests ( ) are listed below and labeled on the map. Sandwich Tern and Caspian Tern distribution very similar. 1. Huguenot Memorial Park (500) 7. Egmont Key (5,572) 2. Lanark Reef (424) 3. Bird Island, Apalachicola (375) 4. St. George Island Causeway (1,457) 5. Three Rooker Bar (700) 6. TPA Island 3 D (420)

14 FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 MAP 8

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER Single ground nests 2005-2008 BNB Database

Map 8. American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Map of all American Oystercatcher nest locations submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008.

15 MAP 9

SNOWY PLOVER Single ground nests 2005-2008 BNB Database

Map 9. Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Map of all Snowy Plover nest locations submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008.