Annual Shorebird Nesting Season Begins at the National Seashore

GULF BREEZE, Fla. – National Park Service biologists discovered the first shorebird nest of the season on March 6, 2024, in the Fort Pickens Area.

Each year, beginning in February and ending in late summer, the Gulf Islands National Seashore provides important habitat for several species of ground-nesting shorebirds including, least terns, snowy plovers, Wilson’s plovers, and black skimmers.

Visitors and locals can help protect shorebirds by proudly displaying the free Gulf Islands Chick sticker and following posted speed limits of 25 mph. Beginning March 7 visitors will be able to receive a free chick sticker at Fort Pickens and Perdido Key entrance stations while supplies last.

The sticker helps remind visitors to maintain the mandatory park speed limit of 25 mph.  Adult birds and their tiny chicks are sometimes struck by vehicles while crossing roadways to access feeding and resting areas. By observing posted speed limits and watching for birds along the roadway, visitors can help to protect the nesting birds and reduce the number of road-killed wildlife.

Be advised that human intrusion into nesting closures can cause birds to take flight. Adult birds will often dive at intruders to drive them away from the colony as a protection behavior. Alarmed birds may then fly low across the road and into the paths of an oncoming vehicle.  Bicyclists, walkers, and joggers are encouraged to be aware of bird behaviors along the roadways near posted nesting areas.

Park staff will monitor beaches for nesting activity and temporarily sign and close areas as needed. Closed areas represent a very small percentage of the seashore and park officials request that visitors divert activities to other areas. If visitors find themselves besieged by birds, it means that you are near an unmarked nesting area or young chicks. Please leave the area by back-tracking your steps – the eggs are very small, well camouflaged, and hard to see.