Shorebirds Naples
Things to Do
- Look at the birds with wonder and curiosity
- Respect them and learn from them
- Notice their behaviors – what are they doing and why
- Learn to identify the various shorebirds – see how many species you can find
- Notice their feeding habits – are they nibbling cochinas at the shore line or swooping into the water from up above to grab a fish?
- See how the feeding habits are related to the type of beak
- See if you can notice the different sounds that different species make
- Foster compassion for the challenges that birds face in today’s world
- Tour the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Lobby for the protection of marshes and sensitive areas for nesting and food foraging
Things to Avoid
- Throwing anything at birds
- Running through a flock on the beach
- Walking too closely to resting birds
- Feeding birds anything including bread crumbs and French fries.
- If you are fishing, avoid casting while birds are around.
- Giving handouts – if you fillet a fish, the bony leftovers are not good for the birds
Signs that a bird is hurt
- A bird struggling to stand, bloodied or with a dragging wing may have a serious injury.
- A pelican may be wrapped in fishing line or injured by hooks. A bird that can’t move may be underweight or undernourished. If you find an injured bird call the Conservancy’s hospital at 239-262-CARE (2273) 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week.