Snowy plover on a Florida beach. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Florida Shorebird Surveys Underway Thanks to Creative Staffing

Post-predator control shorebird surveys are underway on St. Vincent Island, Florida and will continue through September. The St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Predator Control project was approved as part of the 2019 Florida Trustee Implementation Group Restoration Plan I. The project aims to mitigate the negative impacts of feral hogs and raccoons on shorebirds, and other wildlife habitat that are managed by the Refuge.  Shorebird surveys are conducted to assess the efficacy of the St. Vincent Island project. Results showing an increase in nest productivity resulting from decreased nest predation on shorebirds would indicate an effective project. Thankfully, due to the work of Refuge staff and USDA’s Wildlife Services, along with significantly reduced visitation to the island, the project has been able to continue during these times of social distancing. The information gathered will be compared against data gathered as part of an Early Restoration Phase II avian habitat enhancement project, when predator numbers were high. This comparison will enable biologists to see a “before and after picture” to determine the success of their predator control activities. Read more about the "can-do attitude" that helped keep the important monitoring activities moving forward >>

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