Bird Stewards Needed for Summer 2012 Season!

We will need Bird Stewards to sit near beach nesting bird colonies especially on the busy holiday weekends this summer. What a better way to spend a day at the beach while helping protect our feathered friends as they raise their chicks? It's not difficult and no experience is needed. We'll transport you to any of the islands if they're not accessible by car. We'll train you on what to say to beach visitors to educate them on the nearby nesting birds and why it's important to not disturb them and send you out with experienced stewards. We have law enforcement personnel on call if there are any problems.

2011 Bird Colonies Locations:

Egmont Key
Ft De Soto
Indian Shores

Dates: Every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some locations may start earlier if the birds are ready to nest.

Visit Bird Stewards on Facebook

A place for bird stewards to share photos and experiences!

To schedule or change your volunteer time, you can contact Saskia at icegull@netzero.com.

For additional information about Bird Steward Programs around the state please visit the Florida Shorebird Alliance

Bird Stewards featured in Bay Soundings

Birds and Rooftop Stewards are featured in the summer issue of Bay Soundings.

Click on the link below.

http://www.baysoundings.com/Stories/Stewards-Protect-Beach-Nesting-Birds.asp

Rooftop nesting Birds colonies ending; Volunteers needed for next year

Since most rooftop colonies have moved to non-rooftop areas, Volunteers for Rooftops will be needed next year. Chick Checkers visiedt rooftops where our Least Terns and Black Skimmers nested. They checked for chicks that fall off the roof. It's a great feeling to rescue a chick from certain death on the ground and place it back on the rooftop using one of our "Chick-a-booms". Chicks that were injured in a fall go to Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary.

If you can commit to one time a week or a few times a week to visit a site near your home, please join us. Chicks will start hatching late May and continue through mid July. Locations vary so please contact us to for locations close to you.

Rooftops locations were located throughout Pinellas County.

Give us an idea of your location (ie SE St Pete, South Beaches, Clearwater, central.). If the birds start to nest in an area near you we'll contact you.

Contact Dave Kandz at birding@rbdigital.biz or Beth Forys at forysea@eckerd.edu to volunteer.