News Release

Annual Shorebird Nesting Season Begins at the National Seashore

News Release Date: March 6, 2023

Contact: Stephenie Wade, 850-934-2312

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- National Park Service biologists discovered the first shorebird nest of the season on March 1, 2023 

Each year, beginning in February and ending in late summer, the Gulf Islands National Seashore provides important habitat for several species of ground-nesting shorebirds including, least terns, snowy plovers, Wilson’s plovers, and black skimmers.

Visitors and locals can help protect shorebirds by proudly displaying the free Gulf Islands Chick Magnet and following posted speed limits of 25 mph. Beginning March 7 visitors will be able to receive a free chick magnet at Fort Pickens and Perdido Key entrance stations while supplies last.

The magnet helps remind visitors to maintain the mandatory park speed limit of 25 mph.  Adult birds and their tiny chicks are sometimes struck by vehicles while crossing roadways to access feeding and resting areas. By observing posted speed limits and watching for birds along the roadway, visitors can help to protect the nesting birds and reduce the number of road-killed wildlife.  

“With the help of our community and those who enjoy the national seashore every day, we can ensure these nesting shorebirds have the best opportunity to welcome and reproduce their next generation,” said Darrell Echols, Gulf Island National Seashore superintendent. 

Be advised that human intrusion into nesting closures can cause birds to take flight. Adult birds will often dive at intruders to drive them away from the colony as a protection behavior. Alarmed birds may then fly low across the road and into the paths of an oncoming vehicle.  Bicyclists, walkers, and joggers are encouraged to be aware of bird behaviors along the roadways near posted nesting areas.  

Park staff will monitor beaches for nesting activity and temporarily sign and close areas as needed. Closed areas represent a very small percentage of the seashore and park officials request that visitors divert activities to other areas. If visitors find themselves besieged by birds, it means that you are near an unmarked nesting area or young chicks. Please leave the area by back-tracking your steps - the eggs are very small, well camouflaged, and hard to see.

About Gulf Islands National Seashore:  Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.