We’re helping to protect black skimmers (pictured) and least turns.

We are proud to announce that our Zoo is now the lead partner in the Space Coast Shorebird Partnership! We’re collaborating with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) to monitor shorebirds and seabirds along our coastline and on rooftops throughout Brevard County. Our dedicated volunteers will be monitoring native bird species populations, including least terns and black skimmers, during their breeding season of March through September.  

Our volunteers are assigned to specific rooftops and beach routes around the county and monitor during monthly count windows to see if birds have chosen to nest in these areas. If an area is active with nesting mommas, monitoring increases to weekly or daily depending on if there are chicks present. Habitat fragmentation from increased development and beach erosion in our area has led these birds to nest on rooftops rather than their natural sandy terrain. Since these rooftops can be precarious spots to raise a chick, our volunteers are equipped with “chick-a-booms,” a specially designed device made to safely return a chick to their parents if they fall out of their rooftop nests. We also make store owners and beach walkers aware of the birds’ presence and instruct them on proper protocols to not disturb the nesting birds.  

This work is integral to the health of our local shorebirds. Our population counts provide important data and allow us and our partners to better understand various factors, such as the effects of habitat loss, predation and pollution on their populations. Based on the statistics received from monitoring, FSA partners can implement better, data-driven management strategies and develop conservation guidelines to help these birds out! 

If you’re a big birding fan and a Brevard County resident, you can help these birds out, too. We would love to add more monitoring and outreach volunteers to this program. If you’re interested in participating, please reach out to our conservation specialist, Yagen, at ygutierrez@brevardzoo.org. You can also casually keep an eye out for these birds during your weekend errands or routine beach walks. While we have known active rooftops and beach routes, there may be plenty more our team is not aware of. 

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.