Distribution and status of Least Tern nesting colonies in southeast Florida
Zambrano R, Robson MS, Charnetzky DY, Smith HT. 1997. Distribution and status of Least Tern nesting colonies in southeast Florida. Florida Field Naturalist. 25(3):85-91
Six counties in southeast Florida were surveyed for nesting Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) in 1995. Previously documented sites were reexamined and locations of new sites were obtained from other wildlife agencies and organizations or by field observations by the authors. Of 46 sites surveyed, 29 were active and contained a minimum estimate of 1,437 breeding pairs. Ninety-three percent of the colonies were on gravel-and-tar roofs and 7% were on natural ground-nesting habitat. Seventeen (65%) previously documented sites were no longer active; however, 20 new sites were found. Construction, human disturbance and roof repairs were suspected causes of abandonment for some of these colonies. Our findings suggest that the Least Tern population in southeast Florida has increased since last surveyed. However, increasing use of plastic polymer roofs unsuitable for nesting and continuing loss of suitable ground-nesting habitat due to beach front development and human recreation are clear threats to the population. Surveys should be conducted more frequently in order to monitor population trends effectively.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Zambrano, Ricardo; Robson, Mark; Charnetzky, Dawn; Smith, Henry
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Birds, Least Tern, Nesting, Nests, Sterna antillarum