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June 26, 2008
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist

BLACK SKIMMER NESTS IN VOLUSIA COUNTY AGAIN

Volusia County is on its way to making history again. A pair of adult black skimmers has made another nest on Volusia County beaches. Black skimmers are federally and state-protected birds.

The adult pair was first noticed sharing a fish Tuesday, June 24, by county staff. A volunteer with the Volusia Turtle Patrol spotted the nest and egg early in the morning while conducting sea turtle nest surveys Wednesday, June 25, The skimmer nest is in front of the Oceans Four Condominium, 3013 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores. While this is a driving area of the beach, the nest is upland of the traffic lanes and not affecting vehicles.

“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.”

According to David Hartgrove, president of the Halifax River Audubon chapter, black skimmers are not always good parents, and usually use large colonies as a form of protection for the chicks to be sheltered by the sheer numbers of birds in one area. The solitary parenting pair last year proved to be very protective and after observing their behavior today, Hartgrove thinks the same ones may have returned.

Environmental Management staff has cordoned off the area around the nest and will be monitoring 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.

The egg is believed to have been laid either late Tuesday or Wednesday morning, according to Winters.

“Typically the incubation period for the eggs is 21-25 days,” she said. “The incubation time varies according to the temperate region in which it is laid. We are excited we will be able to count exactly how long it takes this egg to develop.”

Visitors to Volusia County beaches near the nest can expect to observe the parents in the vicinity of the nest, taking turns protecting the egg 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.

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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