Thrilling information! This nesting season, Fort De Soto Park hosted a profitable American Oystercatcher pair that fledged three chicks, a primary in nearly 20 years. The household has stolen the hearts of many, and locals and guests alike are invested of their survival. Chief Ranger Dave Harshbarger says, “Lots of the rangers appear to have taken them on as their very own, and the oystercatchers have positively develop into an essential a part of individuals’s lives.” The pair finally raised and fledged three wholesome chicks from their Fort De Soto residence.
Deciding to Nest
The feminine of the pair was banded as a chick in Georgia with pink bands and white letters “AE.” After a go to to Southwest Florida in 2017, she determined to name it residence. In 2023, alongside together with her mate, nicknamed “Archie” by native birders and volunteers, AE appeared lengthy and arduous for an acceptable place to nest. She lastly authorised of a scrape nest within the sand…proper in the midst of the busiest seaside within the park. Audubon workers labored carefully with park workers and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) biologists to make sure that their posted space gave the birds sufficient area from threats that accompany a busy seaside, together with human disturbance, canines, and predators interested in trash.
Defying the Odds: Busy Seashore, Predators, and Storm Surge
Beachgoers and birders alike had up-close views of American Oystercatcher conduct. AE chased off any predator that entered her territory, together with crows, gulls, and evening herons, and her protecting nature continues to impress. AE and Archie couldn’t defend in opposition to the whole lot; a king tide early within the season introduced water throughout your entire park. The car parking zone, trails, and loos all flooded, and everybody ready for the worst. Fortunately, the oystercatcher nest remained dry, completely positioned on a barely elevated level. The pair operated as regular and continued exchanging roles in incubation, feeding, and protection.
Quickly sufficient, the primary tiny chick popped its little head out from below AE. And the subsequent day, one other! The adults introduced meals to the chicks, defended them from predators, and shielded them from the new solar. Three days later, a shock third chick hatched. It didn’t take lengthy for AE, Archie, and three tiny fuzz balls to parade over to a small lagoon to forage. The park additionally created a short lived sanctuary there to offer the household refuge from fowl photographers (keep in mind to all the time observe wildlife pictures pointers! Click here to learn more.).
Success!
Every day the chicks survived, they grew stronger and extra resilient. Steering on how you can finest look after the household shortly unfold by the park and social media. At simply over a month previous, fowl banders permitted by the FWC drove from throughout the state to use leg bands to all three chicks and doc this distinctive success. Utilizing the utmost care, researchers banded the oldest to youngest with pink bands and white letters: YA6, YA5, and YA4.
Thank You
“I’m simply so grateful for the partnership with Audubon,” says Ranger Harshbarger. “After all, we’re all invested right here, however we wouldn’t have been capable of do it with out y’all.”
Audubon celebrates the profitable chick household with the park rangers, the FWC, and the Audubon volunteers who’ve devoted greater than 300 hours this season to coach 1,500 individuals on the park this season. Are you curious about becoming a member of our volunteer flock? Click here.
Story by Abby McKay, South Pinellas County Anchor Steward.
