Protecting Our Seabirds

An evening with our guest lecturer Michael Weisensee, we explored nesting seasons, beach behaviors, and fun birding apps — all while learning simple ways to enjoy shorebirds and protect them.

Who is Michael Weisensee?

Michael Weisensee is a dedicated birder, naturalist, and educator who brings his passion for Florida’s birdlife to the community. He leads tours with the Venice Area Audubon Society, Lemon Bay Conservancy, and the Peace River Audubon Society, and also volunteers in wildlife rehabilitation, caring for baby birds and assisting with rescues through Save Our Seabirds and the Venice Wildlife Center. We were honored to welcome him as our guest lecturer on Protecting the Shorebirds, where his infectious enthusiasm inspired everyone in attendance.

eBirding App Download

Nesting Season: March 1 through September 30

Why Protect Our Birds?

Florida’s beaches provide critical nesting habitat for vulnerable shorebirds like the Snowy Plover and Least Tern. These birds lay their eggs in shallow scrapes on the sand, where they are well camouflaged but highly vulnerable to disturbance. It especially important for beachgoers to respect posted areas, stay at least 300 feet away from birds, leave pets at home, and dispose of trash properly to help protect fragile nests and chicks from predators and human activity.

The Snowy Plover – One of Florida’s Most Vulnerable Shorebirds

The Snowy Plover needs us. These tiny, sand-colored birds nest right on our beaches, laying eggs in shallow scrapes that are so well camouflaged they’re almost invisible. But that same invisibility makes them fragile — one misplaced step, a curious pet, or too much human disturbance can destroy an entire nest.

That’s why during nesting season we need to stay awake to what’s happening on the sand. Look for posted signs, give flocks plenty of space, and keep beaches clean so predators aren’t drawn to their nesting areas. Even small actions — walking closer to the waterline or leaving pets at home — make a big difference in giving Snowy Plovers the quiet space they need to raise their chicks.

How to Protect Colonies?

Shorebird Signs Mark Fragile Colonies

Respect Posted Nesting Areas Signs
Keep your distance — give birds at least 300 feet of space; if they dive at you, you’re too close.
Leave pets at home — even friendly dogs can scare birds or crush nests.
Pack out all trash — litter attracts predators like raccoons, crows, and gulls.
Walk near the waterline — avoid dune and upper beach areas where terns nest.
Spread the word — encourage friends, family, and visitors to be mindful of shorebird nesting.

By taking these small steps, we give Least Terns a safe chance to raise their chicks — and ensure Florida’s beaches remain alive with the flutter and calls of these remarkable birds.

Least Terns Need Your Support

Helping Chicks After They Hatch

When Least Tern chicks hatch, they’re tiny, mobile, and hard to see — often no bigger than a cotton ball and camouflaged against the sand. They can wander outside posted areas, making them even more vulnerable to people, pets, and vehicles.

Stay alert and watch your step — chicks may be hiding in footprints or scurrying across the sand.
Give space to flocks — if adult terns are dive-bombing, they’re protecting chicks nearby. Step back and walk closer to the waterline.
Keep pets and vehicles away — dogs, cats, and beach-driving are major threats to fragile chicks.
Respect posted areas all season long — terns need quiet, safe space until chicks can fly, usually in just a few weeks.

Keep 300 Feet Distance

Give the Least Tern Room to Raise Its Young

After hatching, Least Tern chicks are semi-precocial — they can walk and leave the scrape within a day, but they still rely heavily on their parents.
The mother and father both feed the chicks, bringing them tiny fish and teaching them how to handle prey. Parents will often drop small fish in front of the chicks, encouraging them to peck and swallow.
As chicks grow, the adults train them to chase after moving fish by dangling prey in the air or dragging it along the sand.
Once fledged, young terns continue to beg and chase parents for food, gradually learning to dive for fish on their own by watching and mimicking adult hunting behavior.
This training period is critical — without safe space on the beach, chicks are more likely to be disturbed, go hungry, or fall prey to predators.

Thank You for All Your Support

We thank our dedicated board, committee members, and volunteers for making this evening possible. Special thanks to Michael Weisensee for his insightful presentation on Protecting the Shorebirds and to Kim Kitchen for graciously hosting. Your time, effort, and generosity made this event a true success.

Mission of Living Lecture Series

The Island Living Lecture Series will foster a social gathering with community education by providing a space for experts to talk about interesting topics that will highlight our islands unique environmental elements, land conservation and community needs.
Island Living Lecture Series is under the heading of “Education & Community Awareness
Committee” of Bocilla Islands Conservancy.

Ways to Support Us

Join our conservation programs to protect and restore our island’s ecosystems. Volunteer your time and talents, make a donation to support essential resources, or participate in our adoption program by nurturing sea oats or mangrove propagules, or adopting a mini reef to aid in marine life restoration.

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Donate

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Hand’s on Programs

Our programs are designed for volunteers eager to learn about the ecosystem! Participate in activities such as building Vertical Oyster Gardens, propagating mangroves, restoring shorelines, and planting sea oats. Unlike traditional lectures, these hands-on experiences allow you to engage directly with the environment and make a tangible impact.

Clean Islands

Volunteer Island Cleanup Team

The Clean Islands volunteer team is dedicated to preserving the beauty of our island. Our passionate group of volunteers comes together to clean vital areas, including easements and beach access points, ensuring our environment remains vibrant and accessible. Thanks to our generous community members and visitors, we have successfully removed approximately 10 tons of construction debris and 6 tons of vegetation, all fueled by the energy and big hearts of our volunteers. Join us in making a real difference—get involved and help us keep BOCILLA Island beautiful.

Our Past Events

Oysters For Clean Water

Coming this Fall 2025

Join us in this vital mission to protect and revitalize our aquatic ecosystems! VOGs consist of oyster shells strung together with lengths of rope, designed to hang below docks. Building on the success of our pilot projects at the Marine Life Park and Artificial Reef, we are excited to introduce our upcoming program this fall. This effort not only aims to enrich our park’s biodiversity but also encourages community members to establish similar gardens at their docks.

Learn More

Mini Reef Habitat Program

20 Mini Reefs were installed by Ocean Habitat on May 17, 2023 at the Artificial Reef & Marine Life Park.

If you have a dock, you can purchase your very own Mini Reef, and we’ll help you install it. And if you don’t have a dock, you can still join the fun by adopting a Mini Reef that will be installed at a host location or one of our parks. Best of all, you can adopt a portion of a Mini Reef — every contribution helps, and together we’ll build reefs that clean the water and bring marine life back to our islands. Each Mini Reef filters up to 30,000 gallons of seawater daily while creating a habitat for fish and other marine life.

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We are a Nationally Certified Wildlife Habitat!

We are proud to be a Nationally Certified Wildlife Habitat Community, recognizing that our community as a whole met the requirements by certifying 40 individual properties and providing ongoing education that supports and celebrates wildlife conservation.

Receiving a Certified Wildlife Habitat® designation from the National Wildlife Federation means that your property provides the essential elements wildlife need to thrive—food, water, cover, places to raise young, and sustainable practices that support the local ecosystem. This certification recognizes your commitment to creating and maintaining a healthy environment where native plants and animals can flourish.

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Be the first to learn about our Island Living lecture series and exciting fundraisers, where we unite to support preservation and environmental education! Stay informed about our upcoming clean-up events and hands-on demonstrations in our parks, like creating oyster strings that benefit our beautiful shores!

Bocilla Islands Conservancy Overview
Bocilla Islands Conservancy is a public, nonprofit, non-political organization working in partnership with the residents of the Bocilla Islands chain, including Don Pedro Island, Knight Island, Little Gasparilla Island, and Thornton Key. Our mission is dedicated to the long-term preservation of open, undeveloped spaces and natural habitats across the Bocilla Islands. The Conservancy can customize conservation easements through land acquisition, ensuring sensitive habitats are preserved and protected to maintain the ecological balance of the islands.

Disclaimer:
The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and reflects the views and opinions of Bocilla Islands Conservancy members. It is not intended as legal, financial, or professional advice. Bocilla Islands Conservancy assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the information provided. Visitors are encouraged to consult qualified professionals regarding any concerns or decisions. By using this site, you agree that Bocilla Islands Conservancy and its contributors shall not be held liable for any actions taken based on the information presented here.