Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Wants You to Become a Fourth of July Hero

Shorebirds on Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts are nesting now

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As people make plans to go to the beach for the Independence Day holiday, the FWC is reminding the public to help protect beach-nesting shorebirds by giving them space and keeping personal fireworks off the beach.

Shorebirds on Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts are nesting now, with many of them watching over flightless chicks.

Threatened species such as the snowy plover, least tern, black skimmer and American oystercatcher are among the shorebirds facing conservation challenges and needing help from people to survive.

Loud noises can cause adults to flush off their nests and tiny chicks to become separated from parents, leaving them vulnerable to predators, the elements, and getting stepped on by beachgoers.

Be a 4th of July Beach Hero:

▪Leave personal fireworks at home. The loud sounds and bright lights of impromptu fireworks on Florida’s beaches and waterways can have catastrophic effects on nesting birds and their chicks, as well as nesting sea turtles.
▪ Do not enter posted areas, including Critical Wildlife Areas, and keep your distance from nesting shorebirds and sea turtles.
▪ Leave Fido at home. If you walk your dog on a pet-friendly beach, keep it on a leash and at a distance from birds, sea turtles, and their nests.
▪ Do not feed birds and properly discard of trash, picnic leftovers and fish scraps. These scraps attract predators that will eat the eggs and hatchlings of birds and sea turtles.
▪ Boaters can help protect nesting birds by not getting close to or making loud noises near Critical Wildlife Areas.
▪ Have a safe 4th of July and remember to share the shore!

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