Marathon globetrotting shorebirds take a break in Jacksonville
The red knots are returning to Duval County.
These shorebirds rack up thousands of frequent-flier miles annually as they migrate from as far away as Tierra del Fuego, where they winter with penguins, and in anticipation of their final push to breeding grounds they share with polar bears on the Arctic tundra. They are currently making a spectacle of themselves in northeast Duval County`s coastal inlets. For a few weeks in the spring, these marathon migrants flock to the coast of Northeast Florida like nowhere else in the state. Once called "beach robins" for their reddish-brown spring plumage, these compact and extremely powerful fliers spend their entire lives in perpetual motion - yet one of the most important places in their life cycle is in Jacksonville`s own backyard, said Monique Borboen, Audubon of Florida NE Program staff person.
Specifically, Nassau Sound and Fort George Inlet are important staging areas where these birds make landfall, feed and rest, gaining weight in preparation for the next leg of their journey. As a result, the area has contributed much to what is known about these marathon globetrotters.
Once numbering more than 100,000, red knot populations have plummeted to fewer than 18,000 in recent years. Their future remains uncertain. For a bird that spends so much of its life traveling between distant breeding and wintering grounds, widely separated coastal stopover sites like those in Northeast Florida are critical. While here, the red knots gorge on small surf clams to build muscle and fat reserves for the final push north to arctic breeding grounds. "If the birds aren`t able to gain enough weight, they will continue to migrate but fail to nest. If they don`t have enough fat, there`s a possibility they could die during the migration," said Anni Mitchell, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist.
Locally, knots are most frequently found on the large sand bar of Fort George Inlet, on the islands and shores in Nassau Sound, and along the north beach of Huguenot Park. Knots are most sensitive to dogs (on and off leashes), closely approaching beach walkers, kite surfers, personal watercraft and low-flying aircraft. While researching shorebirds, scientists have found convincing evidence that frequent beach disturbance from humans critically impaired the birds` abilities to prepare for the next leg of their journey and that many consequently died. Whether or not the disturbance is intentional, every time the birds are flushed from foraging or resting sites, their health and breeding success is imperiled. For the brief time the knots are here, caution and consideration on the part of the public significantly contribute to the species` welfare and continued survival, according to Mitchell. "The best thing that beach-goers can do to help the birds is to keep their distance," Mitchell said. "Folks should try to stay at least 200 feet back to keep the birds from feeling threatened and causing them to be flushed." "It`s a shame the birds that spend their summers with polar bears and their winters with penguins at the opposite end of the earth could be jeopardized by pet dogs or recreation in a local inlet," Borboen said. "These birds help make Jacksonville special, and they deserve the consideration of everyone who enjoys the beach." | 