Tropical Audubon Society

South Florida’s Voice of Conservation

Well--It was more active before Tropical Storm Colin passed through the area and destroyed about 80% of the Black Skimmer nests...I went before the storm and yes there were nesting skimmers in both the roped of areas on Sand Dollar spit (beach on the ocean side) not too far north of the parking lot area...but even then, most were at the northern tip...I returned with some friends this past week-end (post storm passage) and the closest group of nesting skimmers were gone...but there were some nesting skimmers at the north end (and nesting Least Terns with chicks s well.) It you continue around the most northern end, back on the east side of the spit apparently there are even more Least Tern chicks etc... My understanding is that quite a few skimmers are returning and re-nesting at this time...The incubation is about 21-25 days...There were at least 100-120 Black Skimmers present at the north end last week-end....

Thanks, Jeanette.