Florida Beach-nesting Bird Report Summary of FWC s Beach-nesting Bird Database from

Florida Beach-nesting Bird Report Summary of FWC s Beach-nesting Bird Database from 2005-2008 Prepared by Chris Burney FWC Shorebird Partnership Coordinator chris.burney@myfwc.com

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 For those of you regularly submitting data online to the Florida Beach-nesting Bird (BNB) database, you are probably very familiar with the activity on your stretch of beach but not sure how the birds and sites you monitor factor into the bigger picture. In view of this, we have produced the following report which summarizes the data compiled in the BNB database from 2005 to 2008. We hope that it will provide you, our contributors, a more statewide perspective. These data would certainly not be available if not for the dedicated work of our partners from federal, state, and local governments to private conservation organizations and individuals. Thank you for your continuing efforts to monitor and protect Florida s beach-nesting birds! Please keep in mind that the BNB database was initially designed as a tool to provide real-time information to coastal managers in order to help guide management decisions (permitting process, determining compatible recreational uses, etc.). Because there are gaps and inconsistencies in coverage and survey effort and methods vary between sites and from year to year, we cannot interpret these data in the same way we would those from a systematic survey. This means that you should use a great deal of caution in interpreting the tables and maps presented in this report. For instance, we definitely can not draw conclusions about population status and trends (e.g. how many Least Terns nest in Florida, and whether or not they are declining) from such assorted data. Despite these limitations, the BNB database does function as a resource for current information about the distribution (i.e. where birds are nesting) and relative abundance (i.e. how many pairs are nesting compared to other sites) of beachnesters and provides valuable information for developing regional and statewide conservation priorities. Furthermore, our network of contributors is steadily growing and expanding, giving us a more comprehensive picture with each successive year. We have accumulated a considerable amount of data Photos- 1. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)- juvenile begging adult for food, 2. Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)- nest with eggs, 3. Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)- juvenile. Photos taken by Jack Rogers. 1

Nests 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 Nest Totals 2005-2008 (ground nests only) Figure 1. Annual totals for nests* submitted to the BNB database. in three and a half years (2005 was a partial year). At the close of the 2008 season, over 5400 individual observations had been submitted to the BNB database and from these over 166,000 ground nests were recorded*. Annual totals for ground nests have increased each year (Fig. 1) which is not necessarily a sign that beach-nesting birds are rebounding but a reflection of the increasing number of monitors contributing observations to the BNB database each year. Hopefully, we can continue this trend so we can begin to develop a clearer picture of what is happening with our seabird and shorebird populations. DATA SUMMARIES This report summarizes only ground-nesting data (rooftop data excluded) for the following species: Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Sandwich Tern Gull-billed Tern Black Skimmer 2005 2006 2007 2008 Year Laughing Gull American Oystercatcher Willet Snowy Plover Wilson s Plover Summary Tables Summary tables 1-3 (p. 5-7) provide basic information on nesting activity for beach-nesting shorebirds and seabirds. Table 1 presents count totals for shorebird nests and chicks by species, year, and FWC region (see FWC regional boundaries, p. 8). Table 2 presents colony totals for seabirds by species, year, and *Does not include rooftop nests and large colonies in the Dry Tortugas. FWC region, and includes the number of sites that were also active during the 1998-2000 FWC Colonial Seabird Survey. Table 3 presents count totals for seabird nests and chicks by species, year, and FWC region. Shorebirds Relative to seabirds, shorebirds (due to their more secretive and solitary nesting habits) are much more difficult to find and we receive fewer observations as a result. Many of the data for shorebirds (Table 2) were collected during species-specific studies (e.g. 2006 State-wide Snowy Plover survey). Consequently, the data are clumped in certain years for some species. Apart from these studies, the number of observations for shorebird nests is gradually increasing as the network expands and partners become more familiar with the nesting habits of these species.. Given the imperiled conservation status of our shorebirds, particularly Snowy Plovers, it is important to continue improving the quality and extent of our coverage for these species. Surveys such as the proposed annual Snowy Plover Count can help. This quick survey will provide a good preliminary map for nesting pairs across the state. This project will help facilitate the identification and posting of additional plover nests and ultimately, may improve the situation for this threatened species in Florida. For more information about this count and how to get involved, email shorebird@myfwc.com. Seabirds Bright plumages, dive-bombing nest defense, colonial nesting habits, and site fidelity make seabirds easier to find than shorebirds. With the possible exception of our highly opportunistic and somewhat unpredictable least terns, we are confident that the majority of ground colonies in Florida are found and monitored each year. For most of our seabird species we can make reasonable assumptions about the distribution and relative abundance of these colonies from the data. The 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey provided important baseline information on colony size and location for much of our current monitoring. Nearly half (54/128) of the ground colonies found during the 1998-2000 survey (historical sites) were active at least one year between 2005-2008 (Fig. 2). One hundred and one (101) new sites were added to the database from 2005-2008, giving us a total of 155 active ground colonies between those years. In relation to FWC regions (Map 1), ground colonies are not evenly distributed around the state (Fig. 3). The majority occur on the west coast. The Gulf waters are comparatively calmer than the Atlantic Ocean, allowing a more extensive network of barrier islands, estuaries, and coastal lagoons to develop which in turn, support a higher number and diversity of beach- 2

FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 Sites 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 New vs. Historic Sites, 2005-2008 New Historic Laughing Gull Black Skimmer Gull-billed Tern Sandwich Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern Least Tern Total and management much more complicated. On the other hand, showing flexibility and placing their eggs in a lot of baskets reduces the risk associated with catastrophic events. Given our limited resources and these challenges, how do we set conservation 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 significant portion of the population for species that are of great conservation concern. Maps Maps for select species can be found on pages 9-16. Seabird maps summarize colony size and location data, and shorebird maps provide nest locations only. Additional maps were created with the data on Least Terns. The first map (Map 2) compares coverage between the comprehensive 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey to the BNB database from 2005-2008, and the second map (Map 3) illus- 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 the1998-2000 FWC Colonial Seabird Survey). nesting seabirds. The impact of development and other humanrelated influences have not been quantified but undoubtedly play a role in distribution as well. The difference in number of sites (Fig. 3) between species (i.e. least terns vs. laughing gulls) is due more to the differences in their nesting strategies than their population sizes. In general, our seabirds fall into two categories- species that nest exclusively in a few, large, multi-species colonies (Royal Tern, Sandwich 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 of newly formed habitats wherever they may occur and, thus, are less predictable. 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 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 species highly vulnerable should management fail or sites disappear (e.g. Passage Key). Conversely, the opportunistic species nest too randomly and in many places, making effective monitoring Sites 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Total Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Species Sandwich Tern Gull-billed Tern Black Skimmer Laughing Gull Figure 3. Number of seabird ground colonies from 2005-2008 by species showing the distribution by region. SW S NW NE NC 3

7902 * 133 4800 809 20097 11202 Nests Observed by Species, 2005-2008 Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern 119858 Sandwich Tern Gull-billed Tern* Black Skimmer Laughing Gull NAME CHANGES Recently, the American Ornithological Union (AOU) made significant changes in the scientific nomenclature of several species of beach-nesting shorebird and seabird. LARIDAE Larinae Leucophaeus atricilla Laughing Gull- formerly in the genus Larus Sterninae Onychoprion fuscatus Sooty Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Onychoprion anaethetus Bridled Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Sternula antillarum Least Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Thalasseus maximus Royal Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna Thalasseus sandvicensis Sandwich Tern- formerly in the genus Sterna 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 2005-2008. SPECIES UNKOWN Some species are inherently difficult to count- they are either exceedingly rare or very secretive. Gull-billed Terns are probably both, and the scant number of recent records is either cause for concern or an indication we need to redouble our efforts when looking for this species. Gull-billed Terns are unpredictable since they exhibit limited fidelity to nesting sites from year to year and can be found in unusual places (e.g. phosphate mines, agricultural areas). They typically nest in mixed-species colonies on sandy barrier or dredge spoil islands, and are occasionally found utilizing gravel rooftops. So next year, try to scan your colonies a little more closely and hopefully you will get lucky and find an 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 Gullbilled Terns but even more secretive in their nesting habits. The adults, themselves, can be highly conspicuous. If you approach too closely to the nest, adults will harshly scold you from an elevated perch. However, observers rarely elicit this response since the nests are often well-hidden and out-of-the-way within dune and marsh vegetation. If you do find yourself face-to-face with a raucous Willet obviously displeased with your presence, you may have a new data point nearby. Tread lightly! FUTURE DIRECTION 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. We believe that with minor modifications to the database and monitoring protocol we can begin to collect the data necessary to estimate population size and trends for many of our BNB species. Consistency and coordination will be the key to designing a successful population monitoring program- a modest number of surveys need to be conducted at all sites simultaneously each year. Frequency and synchrony of surveys are some of the particulars our network of partners will help to address during the upcoming 2009 season as we continue to develop a survey and monitoring protocol that balances simplicity and value. More on this later... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Every single data point helps, and the list of contributors is too long to present in this document. We greatly appreciate all the time and energy spent collecting and getting the data entered into the website. For the regional coordinators who accepted the roll as data entry specialist and entered mountains of data- we can not thank you enough. Feedback. As this was our first summary report of the BNB database, we welcome comments and suggestions on how we can improve similar reports in the future. Please email them to Chris Burney, FWC Shorebird Partnership Coordinator (chris.burney@myfwc.com)- 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 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 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 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 All his 05 05 his 06 06 his 07 07 his 08 08 his 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 NW 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 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 NW 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 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 NW 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 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 NW 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 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 NW 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 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 NW 3769 1669 799 2 302 1219 1211 123 1457 325 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 NW 541 29 189 0 25 14 174 4 153 11 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 NW 1685 543 87 0 338 387 270 6 990 150 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 NW 101 16 17 0 21 2 48 14 15 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 NW 2633 0 2564 0 0 0 0 0 69 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 longer used by least terns. In order for us to determine the difference, it is extremely important that contributors submit data on sites they have visited even when no beach-nesters are present! LEAST TERN 1998-2000 Colonial Seabird Survey small colony (2-10 nests) large colony (200+ nests) LEAST TERN 2005-2008 BNB Database 9

MAP 3 LEAST TERN 2005 LEAST TERN 2006 small colony (2-10 nests) large colony (200+ nests) LEAST TERN 2007 LEAST TERN 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 4 1 3 8 9 small colony (2-10 nests) large colony (200+ nests) 7 10 LEAST TERN 2005-2008 BNB Database 2 5 6 Map 4. Least Tern Sternula antillarum Map of all Least Tern ground colonies (N=136) submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008. with the highest annual count of nests ( ) are listed below and labeled on the map. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Three Rooker Bar (475) Marco Island City Beach, North End (336) Anclote Key (200) Matanzas Inlet Critical Wildlife Area (223) Kice Island, North end (170) Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area (592) 7. 8. 9. 10. Little Estero Island (181) Anna Maria Island - Jack Egan s (205) Charlotte Beach State Recreation Area (274) Least Tern Colony Lover s Key (150) 11

MAP 5 11 7 1 9 3 8 4 5 10 2 6 small colony (2-10 nests) large colony (100+ nests) BLACK SKIMMER 2005-2008 BNB Database 12 Map 5. Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Map of all Black Skimmer ground colonies (N=75) submitted to the BNB database from 2005-2008. with the highest annual count of nests ( ) are listed below and labeled on the map. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. St. George Island Causeway (142) Anna Maria Island - Jack Egan s (333) Anclote Bar (160) Landmark II - Sand Key (250) Bellaire Beach- Key Condo (260) Egmont Key (550) 7. Huguenot Memorial Park (125) 8. Three Rooker Bar (620) 9. TPA Island 3 D (210) 10. Marker 10 - S. Clearwater Harbor (180) 11. Big Bird Island (261) 12. Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area (487) 12

FLORIDA BNB REPORT 2005-2008 MAP 6 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 8 9 small colony (1-150 nests) large colony (1000+ nests) LAUGHING GULL 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. with the highest annual count of nests ( ) are listed below and labeled on the map. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Huguenot Memorial Park (3000) Audubon Island (6) Bird Island, Apalachicola (69) St. George Island Causeway (2554) Tampa Port Authority Spoil Island 2D (5850) Three Rooker Bar (7850) 7. 8. 9. Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Sanctuary (150) TPA Island 3D (4700) Egmont Key (32,450) 13

MAP 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 small colony (1-10 nests) large colony (1000+ nests) ROYAL TERN 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. 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. 16