LEAST TERN CONSERVATION PROJECT: NO PLACE TO TERN

摘要

The St. Petersburg Audubon Society has been monitoring Least Tern and Black Skimmer roof-top nesting sites in Pinellas County since 1998. Due to the gradual loss of their natural nesting sites (undisturbed sandy beaches), these birds have had to adapt to nesting on flat gravel roofs. According to a statewide Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) survey (1998-2000), Pinellas County has the largest number of Least Tern roof-top nest sites (43) of any county in Florida. This situation is most likely caused by disturbance of their natural nesting habitat by humans, dogs, and raccoons. The rooftop sites used are bare gravel roofs that are similar to their natural nest sites. This unnatural habitat appears to meet their needs for hatching and fledging chicks, however the success rate is unknown for either natural beach or roof-top sites. As gravel roofs age and fall into disrepair, they are now often replaced with rubberized roofing materials unsuitable for nesting. So now, even the least tern's "unnatural" nesting habitat is being lost. Goals of this project are to: 1) Protect and monitor colonies throughout the nesting season, using trained Audubon volunteers and Eckerd College students, 2) Work with FWC biologists and Audubon staff to develop census protocols to determine colony size and nesting success, and devise a means of observing inaccessible roof-tops without disturbing nests, 3) Continue to monitor and protect the few remaining natural beach colonies, such as at Shell Key, 4) Identify roofs that can be improved through conservation measures, by screening over downspouts or providing shaded protection for chicks from aerial predators, such as crows, and 5) Establish contacts with colony building owners, and provide them with information and positive publicity about the birds and the importance of these colonies.