Wrack Line - The Florida Shorebird Alliance Newsletter June 2026

Royal tern proposal. Photo by FWC The Florida Shorebird Alliance Newsletter June 2026

In this Issue Events & Reminders Imperiled Beach-Nesting Bird (IBNB) Survey Experiences FSA News FSD Updates Ebb Tidings Events & Reminders June 7: Shorebird Stroll in Amelia Island State Park, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Register here.  June 28: Shorebird Stroll in Amelia Island State Park, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Registration to come. Check out the Shorebird Stoll page to get up to date information about future programs.  June 8: World Ocean Day  June 10-16: This is the fourth survey count window for the breeding season. Please see the Breeding Bird Protocol for details.  All Summer: Beach stewards are needed at important beach nesting sites. Check out the Become a Bird Steward opportunities and get involved!  Imperiled Beach-Nesting Bird (IBNB) Survey Experiences The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting several Imperiled Beach-Nesting Bird (IBNB) Survey Experience opportunities this year. IBNB Permitted Monitors are dedicated individuals with proven shorebird and seabird identification skills and avian survey experience. They are qualified to assist FWC Incidental Take Permittees with minimizing and avoiding harm or harassment of imperiled beach-nesting birds during project activities. See the survey experiences available in your region below:  Southwest:  Pinellas/Sarasota Counties: June 2-4, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day.  Lee/Charlotte Counties: June 16-18, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day.  Fill out the IBNB Permitted Monitor Interest Form. After completing the form, an email will be sent with the opportunity to sign up for an experience.       Northeast:  St. Johns County: June 23-25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day.  If you are interested in participating, contact Hailey Dedmon at Hailey.Dedmon@MyFWC.com. Please include a name, phone number, and the dates you plan to attend.  South:  Dates: Ongoing (May-August)  Locations: Various  If you are interested in learning about opportunities in South Florida, contact Ricardo Zambrano at Ricardo.Zambrano@MyFWC.com. Please include a name, phone number, and address for each interested participant.   Northwest:  Dates: Ongoing (May-August)  Locations: Various  If you are interested in learning about opportunities in Northwest Florida, contact Nick Vitale at Nicholas.Vitale@MyFWC.com. Please include a name, phone number, and address for each interested participant.  FSA News Be a Shorebird-friendly Photographer Photography of Florida’s shorebirds and seabirds is a favorite pastime for many beachgoers. These charismatic birds draw admirers each year and capturing special moments like an American oystercatcher pair head bobbing in tandem or snowy plover parents tending to their chicks can be incredibly rewarding. However, it’s important to remember that many shorebird populations are declining, and human disturbance plays a significant role. By photographing birds responsibly, you can help protect them and support their long-term conservation. If you’re lucky enough to encounter nesting birds, adults with chicks, or flocks resting on the beach, please keep these shorebird-friendly photography guidelines in mind: Photographing birds on nests: Remain outside posted areas. Do not allow yourself or your camera gear to cross any ropes, signs, or boundaries.  If a nest isn’t marked, remain far enough away to avoid causing disturbance (typically at least 300 feet). If the birds show signs of agitation, quietly back away until they settle.  Keep enough distance for the bird to remain on the nest. If the bird flushes or calls in alarm, you are too close.  Stay alert for potential opportunistic predators such as raccoons, cats, crows, or other animals that may be drawn to human activity. Because predators are highly attuned to movement, flushing a bird can unintentionally reveal a well‑hidden nest or chick.  Limit your time near the nest to 10 minutes or less to reduce stress on the birds.  If other photographers are present, try to coordinate your time near the nesting area and leave the area together as a group so that birds receive at least three hours of undisturbed rest afterward.  Avoid sharing the exact location of nests when posting photos, as this may draw additional disturbance to the nest.  Photographing birds away from nests or birds with chicks: Give birds at least 100 feet of space. Allow them to approach you rather than moving toward them for a close-up.  Never “push” birds along the beach. Both adults and chicks need uninterrupted time to rest and feed. Shorebird chicks, in particular, must spend nearly all day foraging to gain enough weight to fledge, and any disturbance can impact their survival.  By following these simple practices, you can enjoy photographing Florida’s remarkable coastal birds while helping ensure they remain part of our shores for generations to come.  Additional shorebird-friendly resources can be found at:  A Guide to Ethical Photography | AFSI  How to Be a Shorebird-Friendly Photographer  Nesting Season on the Beach: A Guide for Sea Turtle and Shorebird Monitors Leatherback sea turtle hatchling. Photo by FWC Summer is in the air, and for Florida’s shorebirds and sea turtles, it’s also peak nesting season. That means Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) Partners and Marine Turtle Permit Holders (MTPH) are out on the beaches, working hard to protect these species. If you’re among those dedicated to their conservation, here are a few important reminders for your time on the sand.  Sea turtles and shorebirds may share the shore, but their nesting strategies couldn’t be more different. Sea turtles access the beach at night to bury their eggs deep within the sand, typically ten inches or deeper. Shorebirds, however, lay their eggs directly on the open beach. Unlike sea turtle hatchlings, shorebird chicks remain on the beach until they fledge. Chicks do not remain in posted nesting areas and may be anywhere from the waterline to the dunes, traveling far from their original marked nest site. Their primary defense is to freeze and press against the sand surface, putting them at high risk of being stepped on or struck by vehicles. To avoid harming roving chicks, drive low and slow at the high tide line when possible to give chicks time to move away. Keep an eye out for adults, who can serve as a clue that chicks may be in the area.   During nesting season, FSA partners mark many shorebird nesting sites by encircling the area with posts and flagging or twine. The period from nest initiation to fledging of seabird and shorebird chicks is typically no more than 60 days, but because nesting is often staggered, posted areas may remain up for longer. If a nest fails, then birds will often renest, starting the timeline over. Each site is unique, so close coordination between MTPH and shorebird monitors is essential to determine anticipated timelines for each posted area.  When surveying the beach, please respect posted areas. Eggs and chicks are often present on the ground, and any disturbance can cause adults to flush from their nests. Even brief absences can expose eggs and chicks to predators, overheating, or starvation. During a disturbance, chicks may be separated from their parents, or adults may permanently abandon their nests.  Because seabirds and shorebirds are protected under state and federal laws, there can be legal ramifications for anyone entering a posted area, even with the best intentions. MTPH conducting morning surveys must be especially vigilant for chicks and fledglings, whether on foot or on an ATV. Sea turtle nest surveyors may only enter a posted area if specifically authorized by FWC staff at MTP@MyFWC.com.  Sea turtle crawls near posted shorebird sites still need to be documented. MTPH should assess the crawl from outside the posted area and place a marker outside the boundaries or away from the solitary shorebird nest to indicate the approximate location of the crawl or nest. Once shorebird postings are removed, MTPH may enter the area to stake off sea turtle nests as needed. Sea turtle nest inventories should occur only after the postings come down.  If you are a Marine Turtle Permit Holder or a shorebird monitor and have questions about posted areas, please reach out to Shorebird@MyFWC.com or MTP@MyFWC.com. We’re here to help and offer resources.  Thank you for all you do to protect Florida’s sea turtles and shorebirds!  FSD Updates Chick Data Tips  Shorebird and seabird chicks are hatching all over the state! How you enter chick data in the Florida Shorebird Database (FSD) varies by species and age class.  For example, seabird chicks are not very mobile and are dependent on their parents for food, so young chicks (downy, feathered, and some flight-capable) will remain in or very near their colony. These chicks should be counted as part of their colony using the Seabird Colony Form. Flight-capable seabird chicks will eventually start to venture farther and farther away from their colony. These chicks should be documented using the Roving Chick/Staging Young Form.  Alternatively, shorebird chicks are very mobile and typically leave their nest shortly after hatching. Any shorebird chick (regardless of age) observed outside of their nest cup should be documented as a roving chick using the Roving Chick/Staging Young Form. Any downy chicks observed inside the nest cup should be documented as nestlings on the Shorebird Nest Form. This scenario is less common, but it’s possible if you visit a nest site on hatch day.  Check out the FSA’s shorebird and seabird Aging Guides for assistance with aging chicks. As always, we are happy to answer any questions about chick observations. Email us at FLShorebirdDatabase@MyFWC.com!  Ebb Tidings In case you missed it, check out the Audubon Florida Coastal Report 2025.

Want to get involved?     Email Shorebird@MyFWC.com for more information about your local partnership.     Join the flock on social media: Florida Shorebird Alliance Facebook Group   The Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) is a partnership of agencies, non-government organizations, and individuals committed to shorebird and seabird conservation in Florida. FSA partners coordinate their independent work and collaborate to address research, management, education, outreach, and public policy needs.

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FWC Research Updates: May 2026 - The Monthly Newsletter of the FWC Research Institute

Salamanders in Florida Florida is home to over 30 species of salamanders! One species in particular was recently discovered inside Devil’s Millhopper sinkhole in Alachua County. The Three-lined salamander has never been seen in this area until 2024. After genetic testing researchers found that this species of salamander resembles salamanders from Georgia and Alabama, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly where they came from. Researchers continue to monitor this population of salamanders so they can better understand their behavior, how they adapt, and if their population spreads beyond the sinkhole. Visit the Amphibian & Reptile Research section on our website to learn more about salamanders and other amphibian research. 2026 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Update The 2026 sea turtle nesting season is officially off and with a strong start! Loggerheads and leatherbacks are both currently outpacing their recent record-breaking years. We can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds! Thanks to all the permit holders, volunteers and partners involved in this incredible community science effort, working together to document sea turtle nesting activity across the state! Check back for monthly updates throughout the season! View Post Reemergence of an Endangered Species There are five sawfish species worldwide, and the smalltooth sawfish is the only one found in Florida. In fact, the smalltooth sawfish completes its life cycle in Florida state waters. Notably, Florida and the western Bahamas are the last places the species can be regularly found. FWC researchers use multiple tag types on each sawfish and collect small fin clips to learn more about their movements, habitat use, and overall population health. Report sawfish sightings to 1-844-4SAWFISH or sawfish@myfwc.com. Visit our website for more info on smalltooth sawfish research and recovery efforts. View Post The World's Largest Fish Do you know what the largest fish in the world is? It’s the whale shark! Last month FWRI received exciting footage of a whale shark spotted near Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal lighthouse. Each whale shark has a unique spot pattern that can be used to identify individuals. Have you seen a whale shark out on the water? Report your sightings online. Video: Courtesy of Captain Gregg Zahn with Paradise Sandbar Adventures View Post Video Spotlight: Cubera Snapper Spawning Research For over a decade, FWC and NOAA scientists have collaborated to study a cubera snapper aggregation in a remote, protected area of the Dry Tortugas region. This study found large numbers of aggregating cubera snapper and indirect evidence that these were spawning aggregations, making cubera snapper the latest in a list of multiple fish species that use this area for reproduction. Key Findings: Strong evidence of a persistent cubera snapper aggregation at Riley’s Hump Indirect evidence suggests this is a spawning aggregation site No-take protection appears to support ecosystem recovery and function Watch Video Publication Spotlight: Current Protections and Future Threats to Say's Spiketail Habitat in the Southeastern USA Florida is home to more than 100 different species of dragonflies, which rely on freshwater habitats like lakes, rivers, streams, and springs. While some species can live in different habitat types, others are specialists with specific needs. Say’s Spiketail is a threatened species of dragonfly found only in northern Florida and southeastern Georgia. This species is a habitat specialist that relies on shallow seepage streams found in dry, sandy landscapes like longleaf pine forests. Biologists modeled habitat for Say’s Spiketail to help identify important conservation areas and better understand future risks to the species. As Florida’s landscape continues to change, this research can help guide conservation efforts for this unique dragonfly and the habitats it depends on. View Publication New on MyFWC.com/Research We hope you enjoy these articles that have been recently added/updated on our website: Red Tide Current Status Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources 2026 Manatee Mortalities Annual Rescue Summaries [Manatee] HAB Publications New Publications Seagrass Research Stone Crab Catch Data OIMMP Workshops and Partner Resources   Our Mission Through effective research and technical knowledge, we provide timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources.

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