Collier
About
In 2000, five local members began meeting informally to coordinate posting of seabird and shorebird colonies in Rookery Bay Research Reserve and on Marco Island. In 2009, a formalized group was established to further develop existing partnerships and engage new and different partners important to the future of shorebirds and seabirds in Collier County. Today, we have over 40 members.
Get Involved
Our needs are seasonal based but the peak of activity occurs during the breeding season. Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Attend partnership meetings in the spring and fall
- Join Audubon of the Western Everglades
- Become a Beach-nesting Bird Monitor
- Become a Bird Steward
- If you hook a bird, don’t cut the line! Reel. Remove. Release.
- Report any wildlife violations to the FWC Wildlife Alert or call the Hotline 888-404-FWCC (3922)
Local Contact
To learn more about the partnership and to get involved, email Collette Lauzau and Rochelle Streker.
Focal Species
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| American Oystercatcher | Haematopus palliatus |
| Black Skimmer | Rynchops niger |
| Least Tern | Sternula antillarum |
| Snowy Plover | Charadrius alexandrinus |
| Willet | Haematopus palliatus |
| Wilson's Plover | Charadrius wilsonia |
3 Fun Facts About Collier County
- In Collier County, most least tern nesting is on beaches. Black skimmers and Wilson’s plovers also nest here
- Least tern and black skimmer nesting data has been recorded in Collier county since 1972 as part of a long-term coastal waterbird monitoring effort
- The Big Marco Pass least tern and black skimmer colony is consistently ranked as one of the largest in the state
Photo Credit: Britt Brown