In this IssueNovember 2-5: The Waterbird Society’s 50th Annual Meeting will take place in Cape May, New Jersey. Register here by October 15. October 19, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (EST): Space Coast Partnership Meeting. Nyami Nyami River Lodge at Brevard Zoo. Contact Yagen Gutierrez or Amanda Hipps October 20, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (EST): Nature Coast Partnership Meeting. Lovett E. Williams, Jr. Wildlife Research Laboratory, Gainesville. Contact Taylor Bell, Janell Brush or Blair Hayman October 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (CST): Florida Panhandle Partnership. Gibson Lecture Hall at Gulf Coast State College. Contact Colette Lauzau or Nick Vitale Thank you FSA Partners!  As we wrap up the 2026 shorebird and seabird breeding season, we’re taking a moment to recognize the incredible teamwork that makes coastal conservation in Florida possible. Every nesting season brings its own set of hurdles, and every year, our partners rise to meet them with creativity, determination, and a shared passion for protecting Florida’s shorebirds and seabirds. From early-morning surveys to rooftop monitoring, from on-the-ground stewardship to behind-the-scenes coordination, the Florida Shorebird Alliance thrives because so many people contribute their time, skill and heart. Whether you are a volunteer, land manager, law enforcement officer, student, intern, biologist, or researcher, your role made a real difference. Your efforts supported countless nesting attempts, fostered safer habitats, and ensured that another generation of Florida’s shorebirds and seabirds took flight. These accomplishments highlight what partnership-driven conservation can achieve, and we’re sincerely grateful for every contribution. If you’d like to hear more about the season outcomes — or share insights of your own — we encourage you to join an upcoming FSA partnership meeting. These gatherings are open to the public and free to attend. Reach out to your local FSA Partnership Coordinator for meeting details. |
2024 Shorebird & Seabird Abundance Estimates  Photos (left to right): Least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher, snowy plover, Wilson's plover. Credit: FWC We used data entered into the Florida Shorebird Database by FSA partners to estimate the abundance of the three focal shorebird species (American oystercatcher, snowy plover, and Wilson’s plover) and the two focal seabird species (black skimmer and least tern). Abundance reflects the number of breeding individuals (not pairs) counted along survey routes in Florida. Counts follow the methods in the Breeding Bird Protocol and are reviewed for quality and consistency before analysis. We grouped data in both space and time to account for possible bird movement for each species. Each abundance estimate is presented alongside a range, which reflects uncertainty in the number of individuals breeding in Florida. Although the abundance ranges for shorebirds and seabirds are derived from different methods, they all aim to minimize the risk of overestimating the number of breeding birds in Florida (e.g., accounting for movement, such as renesting, during the nesting season). Estimates for the American oystercatcher, least tern, and black skimmer include both ground- and rooftop-nesting birds. In 2024, 40% of least terns nested on rooftops, compared with 1% of black skimmers and 4% of American oystercatchers. Accurate abundance estimates are possible thanks to the annual comprehensive survey coverage by FSA monitoring partners and their contributions to the FSD! World Shorebirds Day and the Global Shorebird Count  Ruddy turnstone. Photo by FWC World Shorebirds Day, held on September 6, is an annual global celebration recognizing the importance of shorebirds, their remarkable migrations, and the diverse habitats they depend on across the world. The project encourages people to observe and appreciate shorebirds while raising awareness about the conservation challenges they face. The celebration also coincides with the Global Shorebird Count, a worldwide community science effort that invites people to observe and document shorebirds September 1-7, contributing valuable data that help track populations, highlight conservation needs, and strengthen international collaboration across migratory flyways. Whether through monitoring, outreach, or simply spending time watching shorebirds, participants help deepen public understanding of migration and the ecosystems that sustain these birds. Learn how you can participate here.  The Florida Shorebird Database closes for the season on October 1! Another breeding season is coming to an end, which means it’s time to finish entering your monitoring data before the FSD closes on October 1! Or, if your data entry is complete, now is a good time to review what you’ve entered. All data entered into the FSD are reviewed to ensure that everything is collected and entered consistently across the state. It’s possible that you’ve already heard from an FSD data reviewer. Please know that this is a normal part of the quality control process, and these conversations ensure your data will most effectively guide conservation, research, and management of these species. To help with the data review process, here are a few things to look for: Additional breeding adults on your route? Check to make sure your totals of additional breeding American oystercatcher, snowy plover, and Wilson’s plover make sense for each route survey you entered during the 2026 season. If you were able to account for ALL breeding shorebirds on your route at nest sites and/or with roving chicks, the counts of additional breeding adults observed along a route should be reported as zero for each survey. If you indicated that you "Did not count" additional breeding adults, please indicate why in the associated Route Survey Comments. Do all your sites have a final outcome? Check if the last visit to each of your sites (solitary nests, ground colonies, and rooftops) provides a final outcome. If the last visit to a site is still 'Active,' please edit the next route survey to include your best estimation of that site's final outcome. Refer to the Breeding Bird Protocol for Florida's Shorebirds and Seabirds for guidance on how to determine the final outcome of a given site. Ideally, you will be able to document a final outcome for all your sites entered into the FSD; for some late season sites, however, this might not be possible. Are there any typos? Look for duplicated entries, counts that seem unusually high or low (e.g., 200 vs. 20), or any other possible typos in your data. You can always leave clarifying comments in the site visit notes detailing unexpected or unusual field scenarios! Please email us at FLShorebirdDatabase@MyFWC.com if you have any questions, concerns, or cannot make the October 1st deadline. Thank you for another dedicated season of monitoring!  Now’s a great time to revisit past Wrack Line Newsletter editions and catch up on stories, updates, and highlights you may have missed. Dive back in and explore all the moments that shaped this year’s conservation efforts! You can help shorebirds by using best practices for shorebird-friendly photography: How to Be a Shorebird-friendly Photographer. | 
