St. Johns/Flagler Shorebird Partnership Post-season Meeting Notes 9/22/2015
GTMNERR: It was a quiet year. No nesting reported. More data to be entered for March 18 and August
05. Loafing least terns were observed.
Porpoise Point: No nesting reported. The site was posted this year. There were issues with flooding
because of the tides.
Julia’s Island: Overall the peak nest count consisted of 153 least tern nests but only 41 fledglings.
Predation likely the issue. Cameras were set up on Julia’s island and an image of one predator, possibly
a cat, was captured. Least tern downy chick numbers dropped significantly during the season, without
seeing a concurrent rise in the number of feathered chicks. The one oystercatcher nest produced chicks
but the chicks disappeared. Also likely predation.
Alex Kropp, Marc Rivadeneyra and Chris Angel observed the least tern colony at Julia’s Island on the 4th
of July to determine disturbance from fireworks and to prevent disturbance from beachgoers. Two dogs
off-leash were seen and intersected before getting near the colony. Some least terns did flush in
response to fireworks from the main St. Augustine fireworks display (0.5 miles away). However, many
people were also setting off fireworks much closer to the birds on or near Julia’s Island. These fireworks
were much louder than the St. Augustine display that was farther away. Although least terns were
disturbed for some time during the fireworks, all birds were attending nests again by the next day.
Tolomato River: Janelle gave an update. 20 breeding pairs. Fourth most productive oystercatcher
breeding site in the state.
Anastasia State Park: The nesting season was not as successful as past years. 8 Wilson’s plover nests
were documented. South colony had a peak of 66 least terns in May and then it was predated by a
coyote and possibly other mammalian predators and all birds abandoned nesting (predator tracks seen).
On the north end of Anastasia, birds re-nested but were also impacted by predators, though one
fledgling was produced at the north end. USDA Wildlife Services did some trapping this season, but was
not successful at removing the coyote. Route surveys were conducted weekly. FDEP is trying to secure
funding to trap for predators earlier this upcoming breeding season, but not certain if funding will be
available.
10 Mile Stretch between Anastasia State Park and Fort Matanzas National Monument: No nesting
reported by St. Johns County staff.
Fort Matanzas: Weekly surveys were conducted April through August. The Wilson’s plovers started out
doing well but all of the nests were lost. Reason undetermined (predators?). There was no least tern
nesting. Much of the nesting habitat was lost due to erosion/vegetation encroachment.
FL Inland Navigation District, Dredged Material Management Area (near Matanzas State Forest): High
of 28 least tern nests. Hog, opossum and raccoon tracks were noted in the area, and all/most nests
were lost to predators. This site would be a good one to try portable electric fencing, if birds attempt to
nest there again next year.
Summer Haven: The season started with 118 least tern nests but did not produce a high number of
chicks. Predation again seems to be the main problem here. There were issues with dogs off leash at
this site as well, and stewards helped keep dogs out of the colony on a number of occasions (though
there were gaps in stewarding coverage this year). St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office cited one person for
a dog off-leash that stewards/Chris Angel reported. This dog got inside the colony but Chris/Stewards
removed the dog.
The offenders were letting their dogs off leash at a set time each day. In the future this can be handled
by notifying law enforcement or St. Johns County beach management of what times violators tend to be
out on the beach.
Not clear at this time, when dredging activities will start at Summer Haven. Could be as early as 2016,
but that is unlikely.
Flagler County Ground Sites and Routes: Apparent lack of viable areas for shorebird nesting because of
lack of suitable habitat as well as disturbances on the beach caused by multiple uses. Potential habitat
near Gamble Rogers SP and other areas??? Cannot verify presence/absence of nesting, when routes are
not run.
St. Johns Routes: A number of old routes need retiring in St. Johns County (so they are no longer visible
on the website, and don’t confuse users). Still lots of gaps in route coverage, though most of these
areas will likely have little to no nesting.
St. Johns Rooftops:
Burkhart Rooftop had nesting but nests were lost due to possible wash out from heavy rains.
St. Johns County Jail: Sue K. and Tara D. gained access to the rooftop. Sue K. had a flush count of 40
least terns. Sue will monitor next season. Rooftop will retain some gravel area for next season, but not
clear if it will still be attractive to the birds for nesting (much of the roof was re-roofed in a substrate
unsuitable for least tern nesting).
Bealls Outlet/Harbor Freight: Nests were impacted when gravel was removed from the rooftop. Lt.
Zukowsky and others with FWC law enforcement are investigating.
Law Enforcement Activities:
St. Johns County: Compliance has increased dramatically. Only one citation was written this year. A
woman with dogs off leash. It is important for stewards to notify LE of the incident as the violation is
occurring.
FWC: Officer Green will be the liaison for imperiled species/shorebirds next season. There were a few
verbal warnings at ASP for dogs off leash. Good compliance overall?? (some dogs off-leash were still
noted this year). Bealls Rooftop update: Lt. Zukowsky met with state attorney.
For volunteers, please take a photo or video of violators and send to LE and provide notes.
Proactive education: passing out brochures to rentals and homes around Summer Haven prior to the
nesting season is something that could be done next year to educate folks ahead of time.
Statewide Data Summaries for 2015: Alex gave power point presentation.
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Predator Control:
Clear need for this as all colonies were impacted by predators this year, but funding is still a big
challenge.
FIND DMMA site could be a candidate for electric fencing.
ASP will continue to work with USDA Wildlife Services as funding is available.
Important to report tracks around nesting sites ASAP.
Guide to Aging Least Terns:
Photographs from Mark Rivadeneyra were used to create an aging guide which will be added to the FSA
website.
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