Charlotte County posts new seabird nesting colony at SeaWatch

Charlotte County staff has just posted a seabird nesting colony in front of SeaWatch, off of Gulf Shores Drive. The full season runs from Feb. 15 to Aug. 31; the county marks nesting sites when found.

Four least terns were observed nesting with eggs and many more were there courting and mating. Black skimmers were also present, and they expect nesting soon.

Dogs must be on a leash in all other authorized locations unless otherwise specifically designated and posted. (CC Ord. No. 98-070 Section 1-4-31, CC Ord. 2019-029)

The birds see dogs as predators and could possibly abandon their nest.

There are currently five recognized species of beach nesting birds observed on Charlotte County beaches. They are the American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates); black skimmer (Rynchops niger), least tern (Sternula antillarum); snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and Wilson’s plover (Charadrius wilsonia).

Visit charlottecountyfl.gov for more info on nesting birds