{"id":343956,"date":"2026-07-17T22:20:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T22:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/343956\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T22:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T22:20:09","slug":"sccf-causeway-skimmer-chick-nears-flight-sanibel-captiva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/343956\/","title":{"rendered":"SCCF: Causeway skimmer chick nears flight – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION<\/p>\n

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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
\nA snowy plover and its chick.<\/p>\n

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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
\nA Wilson’s plover in the dunes.<\/p>\n

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The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that the first black skimmer chick documented on the Sanibel Causeway Islands in three decades was thriving as of July 15.<\/p>\n

The chick has reached flight-capable age, and while the SCCF shorebird team and volunteers had not witnessed its first flight yet, they are watching closely for the milestone.<\/p>\n

The rest of the causeway colony remains active. A few dozen more skimmer chicks had hatched as of July 15, and about a half-dozen adults were still incubating nests, with hatches expected soon.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, about two dozen least tern nests remained, and a few dozen chicks had already fledged. Exact numbers remain fluid, as some birds leave the area soon after fledging, while others face pressure from avian predators such as gulls and crows.<\/p>\n

QUIET FOURTH OF JULY<\/p>\n

The SCCF reported that the Independence Day fireworks did not negatively impact the nesting colonies this year. Staff and volunteers stood guard at the colonies through the end of the fireworks, preventing beachgoers from setting off personal pyrotechnics nearby. A few people attempted to wander into posted nesting areas but were quickly deterred by protective parent birds dive-bombing them. Between the team\u2019s vigilance and the birds\u2019 own defenses, the colonies made it through the holiday unharmed.<\/p>\n

ROUNDUP OF NESTING<\/p>\n

The SCCF reported that nesting success remains a story of resilience amid pressure from high-tide washovers and predators, like coyotes, crows and snakes.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Sanibel Island<\/p>\n

It has been a tough season for snowy plovers due to washovers and heavy predation \u2014 only four chicks had fledged as of July 15. One active nest remained, along with a brood of two chicks. Least terns took a heavy hit from coyote depredation: one colony was holding on with one active nest and a few chicks, while another was down to a single nest that hatched at least one chick. The first Wilson\u2019s plover nest in five years was unsuccessful, likely due to predation.<\/p>\n

\u2013 North Captiva, Bunche Beach<\/p>\n

Outside Sanibel, neighboring sites saw stronger results. Both North Captiva and Bunche Beach recorded multiple Wilson\u2019s plover broods successfully fledging chicks.<\/p>\n

RESPECT THE DIVE-BOMB<\/p>\n

The SCCF reported that as its shorebird team continues monitoring around the clock, beachgoers can help protect the vulnerable families:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Chicks often wander outside posted string lines, and their parents will defend them wherever they go.<\/p>\n

\u2013 If a shorebird starts dive-bombing or screaming at you, you are too close to their young \u2014 step back to give them space.<\/p>\n

For more information on protecting nesting shorebirds, visit https:\/\/sancaplifesavers.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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