DeLand, FL - Humans are allowed back on the beach but it is waterbird nesting season, and the Volusia County Protected Species Activity Manager Jennifer Winters asks you to be alert.
Shorebirds and seabirds build shallow nests right on the sand. They’re small and camouflaged and could be easily stepped on. Winters said when people get to close to a nest, birds may abandon the nesting sites, leaving eggs and chicks vulnerable. "Use your social distancing skills and give the birds a little distance. Let them rest without trying to disturb them and keep your activities a good distance away so that they can rest or take care of their nest." She also said if you get too close, the birds will let you know. "We've got the Wilson's plover and their nests are primarily on our shoreline. They'll kind of run and make you aware of their presence by getting off the eggs and moving around to try to get you to follow them instead of walking toward the clutch of eggs."
Winters said you should not feed the birds any type of human food and there are a few other things that you should not do. "We discourage people from walking up into large groups of birds and flushing them. Also, dogs need to be on a leash and that's very important for the native wildlife. If you have your dog off the leash, they're going to run ahead of you and they could inadvertently go into those nest areas."
She says if you see someone harassing the birds, contact Volusia County Beach Safety.
