Florida Panhandle Shorebird Working Group
The Florida Panhandle Shorebird Working Group (FPSWG) was originally formed in January 2007 and now includes partners from federal, state, and local governments as well as non-governmental organizations and individuals.
The goal of the FPSWG is to promote effective management for shorebirds on public and private lands along the coast and barrier islands of the Florida Panhandle. The FPSWG works towards its goal by engaging in the following efforts: 1) addressing and filling in information gaps, particularly by providing public and private land managers of important shorebird sites information about pertinent shorebird issues, 2) enhancing understanding of and concern for shorebird management issues by law enforcement officials, and 3) enhancing coordination, networking, and communication with biologists, land managers, volunteers, law enforcement, and the public involving pertinent shorebird issues. These efforts are achieved through extensive networking, communication, and appropriate actions taken between partners (biologists, land managers, volunteers, law enforcement, etc.).
The primary mechanisms by which information is exchanged between partners of the FPSWG have been through biannual meetings held in the Panama City area, a user group website, and regular e-mail and phone.
Nesting Species
Snowy Plover Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Least Tern
Sternula antillarum
Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
Sooty Tern*
Onychoprion fuscatus
Important Sites
PANHANDLE-WEST
1. Perdido Key State Park Park contains: nesting habitat for Snowy Plover and Least Tern; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 5. Gulf Islands National Seashore- Santa Rosa Park contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Snowy Plovers, and Black Skimmers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally)
2. Gulf Islands National Seashore- Perdido Key Park contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Snowy Plovers, and Black Skimmers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 6. Eglin AFB Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns and Snowy Plovers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally)
3. Gulf Islands National Seashore- Ft. Pickens Park contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Snowy Plovers, and Black Skimmers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 7. Eglin AFB- Eglin Pass Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns and Snowy Plovers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally)
4. Pensacola Beach Area contains: nesting habitat for Least Terns and Black Skimmers. (posted seasonally)
PANHANDLE-CENTRAL
8. St. Andrew's State Park Park contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns and Snowy Plovers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 14. Little St. George Island Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Snowy Plovers, and American Oystercatchers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally)
9. Shell Island Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns and Snowy Plovers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 15. Bird Island- Apalachicola Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns and American Oystercatcher. (posted seasonally)
10. Tyndall AFB- Crooked Island West Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns and Snowy Plovers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 16. St. George Island Causeway Area contains: important nesting habitat for Black Skimmer, Least Tern, Gull-billed Tern, and American Oystercatcher. Sooty Tern has nested here as well. (posted seasonally)
11. Tyndall AFB- Crooked Island East Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns and Snowy Plovers; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 17. St. George Island State Park Park contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Black Skimmer, Snowy Plover, and Am. Oystercatcher; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally)
12. St. Joseph State Park Park contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Black Skimmer, and Snowy Plover; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 18. Dog Island Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, and Snowy Plover; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally)
13. St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Refuge contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Snowy Plover, and American Oystercatcher; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 19. Lanark Reef Area contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Black Skimmer, and American Oystercatcher; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally)
PANHANDLE-EAST
20. Phipps Preserve Preserve contains: important nesting habitat for Least Terns, Black Skimmer, Snowy Plover, and American Oystercatcher; and wintering habitat for shorebirds. (posted seasonally) 21. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Refuge contains: nesting habitat for Wilson’s Plovers and Least Tern; and important wintering habitat for shorebirds and seabirds. (posted seasonally)
Partner Organizations
Contact
If you have questions or comments, please email the Panhandle Shorebird Working Group using the following address: panhandle_swg@flshorebirdalliance.org
