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By Jane Bartnett On Oct. 31, the 2021 sea turtle nesting season came to an official close. The outlook for these treasured and important residents of the Siesta Key shoreline, according to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium researchers, is encouraging. This year, the organization reported that the team counted a total of 3,786 nests across […]
This monochrome shorebird, clothed in striking black and white plumage, combines haute couture and foraging in the low tide on Turtle Beach.A bold checkerboard graphic splashed across its wings and a stylish white cap cascading from brow to shoulder complete the plover’s breeding plumage ensemble.During the rest of the year, the plover’s understated non-breeding attire […]
By Jane Bartnett Saving Siesta Key’s seabirds is a pursuit for which Siesta Key resident Dave Thomas has become passionate. He is “our best seabird rescuer and our only volunteer on the Key,” said Jocelyn Shearer of the non-profit Save Our Seabirds organization. Delivering an impassioned plea for volunteers while speaking last month to the […]
This medium/small parrot whose origin story begins in the tropics of central South America is not native to Florida. However, permanent colonies became established in the lower latitudes of the U. S. when these popular pets either escaped or were released into the wild in the 1960s.The greater Tampa Bay area boasts one of the […]
Dismal season for snowy plover on Siesta Key The snowy plover, for a variety of reasons, had a tough time this year on Siesta Key. Kylie Wilson, shorebird coordinator for Audubon Florida, gives the following report: “This past nesting season, snowy plovers laid only two nests on Siesta. That is the fewest number of nests […]
This large, American wading bird is sometimes misnamed the Wood Ibis because of a decurved bill reminiscent of the smaller yet unrelated ibis. Other nicknames include flinthead, stonehead, and ironhead. These monikers aptly describe the stork’s prehistoric-looking head and neck that, in their featherless state, give the appearance of stone. This is the only stork […]
A familiar sight on Siesta Key, Florida’s state bird lends its influence to American pop culture, finding its way into songs, lullabies, and book titles. As its scientific name suggests, this medium-sized songbird is a “many-tongued mimic” with a lot to say — or rather, sing. Not only does it imitate the songs of other […]
Along the eastern seaboard and gulf coast of the U. S., as well as the southern California coast, the tricolored heron is a familiar sight. That includes the mangroves, bays, and estuaries of Siesta Key. Nearby woodland cover is very important to this heron as it perches in trees when it’s not wading and foraging. […]
While the osprey bears a strong resemblance to several kinds of hawks, it is actually classified in its own separate family as a fish hawk.The osprey is the only North American hawk whose diet is almost exclusively live fish, both freshwater and saltwater. It takes lots of protein (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids) to fuel […]
Common Gallinule (Gallinula geleata) This year-round resident of Siesta Key and Sarasota County is also a familiar sight throughout the eastern United States. The gallinule’s most unusual feature is a bright-red shield on its forehead, making it anything but common. The bird is a study in color contrast, with vibrant red and yellow accents set […]