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July 19, 2008
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist

BEACH BUFFER ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT RARE BIRDS

For the second year in a row, Volusia County beaches are home to a family of black skimmers, a federally and state-protected bird. The first of the three eggs laid by a pair of black skimmers hatched Friday, July 18.

Officials from Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division and Beach Patrol have been anticipating the hatch since the pair and their nest were first discovered June 24.

The first hatchling sets in motion a plan that strikes a balance between public vehicular traffic and wildlife conservation by maintaining a traffic-free buffer for approximately 200 yards in Daytona Beach Shores. This buffer will remain in place for the next several weeks to provide a safe haven on the beach for the family of rare birds.

The nest is in front of the Oceans Four Condominium, 3013 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores, and the protective buffer extends approximately 100 yards on each side of the nest. While the beach is open, vehicular traffic is being rerouted via the El Portal ramp (to the south) and the Florida Shores ramp (to the north). Although beach driving won’t be allowed in the 200-yard area, sunbathers and swimmers will be able to use that section of the beach as long as they stay away from an area that has been roped-off around the nest.

According to officials, the baby chick is barely visible and is being protected by its parents. As the chick grows it will venture further away from the nest. It is anticipated the eggs will continue to hatch in the order they were laid.

“Typically this bird nests in large colonies or groups throughout Florida and many other coastal states from New York to Texas,” said Jennifer Winters, Volusia County’s sea turtle Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) program manager. “It is highly possible that this adult pair may be the same one that nested last year in Daytona Beach.”

Since first discovering the nest, Environmental Management staff cordoned off the area around the nest and monitored the situation daily. They also are coordinating with state and federal wildlife officials as required by the county’s federally approved HCP which governs how the county protects sea turtles, piping plovers, nesting shorebirds, and other coastal wildlife and habitat.

Visitors to Volusia County beaches near the nest can expect to observe the parents in the vicinity of the nest, taking turns protecting the eggs and chick and skimming the water to feed on fish. If the birds appear agitated, there may be another type of bird preying nearby. People crowding too close also can disturb the birds and delay the incubation time. Onlookers should remember to keep their distance if they visit the nest area, and keep a close watch for the hatchlings as they dart to and fro on the beach.

To assist with the efforts to protect the birds, Volusia County Environmental Management is seeking volunteers who can work in two-hour periods distributing educational materials to the public and monitoring the behavior of the black skimmers. The volunteer coverage is needed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., seven days a week, for approximately three weeks, or until the birds leave the beach. For more information or to volunteer, please call (386) 736-5927, ext. 5823, or e-mail WAVVolusia@sjrwmd.com.

For information about Volusia County’s Habitat Conservation Plan and efforts, visit www.volusiaseaturtles.org.

For updated beach information, please call (386) 239-SURF (7873).

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