Southwest Florida
This year, we saw more Black Skimmers and Least Terns nesting at Second Chance Critical Wildlife Area and Carlos Pointe Beach. Even though Hurricane Debby caused significant losses of nests and chicks at Second Chance, 600 Black Skimmers fledged 150 chicks. Least Terns fledged 100 chicks from 168 nests—60 more than last year—before the colony overwashed during Debby. At nearby Caxambas Pass Critical Wildlife Area, a successful Black Skimmer colony produced 56 fledged chicks for the first time in nearly seven years. Carlos Pointe Beach supported a colony with 1,333 adult Black Skimmers and 418 adult Least Terns, resulting in 231 Black Skimmer and 200 Least Tern fledglings despite losses caused by storm surge from Tropical Storm Debby. Snowy Plovers, however, experienced reduced nesting success on Fort Myers Beach, with only six fledged chicks across the area. Wilson’s Plovers continued to do well, with 11 chicks fledged on Fort Myers Beach and 19 fledged across various Collier County sites.
Tampa Bay Region…