Holiday help for hatchlings, sea turtles and shorebirds

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Beach-bound this long holiday weekend? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that nesting season is still underway for Florida's sea turtles, with hatchlings emerging from their nests around the state. Flightless shorebird chicks may also still be present with their parents on many Florida beaches. People heading to the shore can help beach-nesting wildlife by following these easy, sea turtle- and shorebird-friendly steps:

• Give nesting sea turtles and emerging hatchlings space. Getting too close - less than 50 feet - can disrupt the nesting process and delay hatchlings from reaching the water as they journey from their nests to the sea. It is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests and eggs, or to pick up hatchlings. If an animal changes its behavior when you approach, that is a sign that you might be too close.
• If on beachfront property, close curtains after dark and turn off outside lights whenever possible. Any lighting can disorient and misdirect nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean and toward potential danger. Make sure any required exterior lighting adjacent to nesting beaches is long wavelength, mounted low and shielded. Avoid using any color flashlight, cell phone lights or taking flash photos after dark on the beach.
• Be on the lookout for disoriented sea turtles and hatchlings in unexpected places, such as coastal sidewalks or roadways. Drive slowly along coastal routes to help keep both wildlife and human pedestrians safe. If you find a sea turtle hatchling away from the beach or an adult sea turtle in distress, please immediately call the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) for further guidance.
• Keep in mind that shorebirds need space to nest, rest and forage. While nesting season is winding down, keep an eye out for flightless chicks and fledglings. Birds including the piping plover and red knot are also returning to Florida's beaches to refuel during migration and stay for the winter. Walking around birds on the sand and giving them the space they need benefits their survival all year.
• Keep out of posted areas and keep dogs leashed and far from any wildlife if bringing your pup to dog-friendly beaches. Even friendly dogs can be seen as predators by shorebirds, which can cause them to flush and leave their flightless chicks.
• Clear the way at the end of the day. Obstacles on the beach and holes in the sand can trap or prevent sea turtle hatchlings from reaching the water and adult sea turtles from being able to nest. Take all toys, beach furniture and other gear with you when leaving the beach. If you or your family dig a hole in the sand, keep it close to the water line to avoid active sea turtle nests and fill it back in before heading home to avoid trapping sea turtles and hatchlings, as well as flightless shorebird chicks.
• Properly stash all trash to prevent entanglements and avoid attracting predators that can prey on sea turtle hatchlings and flightless shorebirds. Fishing line can be deadly to sea turtles, waterbirds and other wildlife, so be sure to dispose of it properly. To find a monofilament recycling station near you, visit mrrp.myfwc.com.
• Leave personal fireworks off the beach and at home. The loud sounds and bright lights of personal fireworks on beaches and adjacent waterways can significantly disorient and disrupt sea turtles and waterbirds, as well as their hatchlings and chicks.

For more information about nesting sea turtles and how you can help, visit MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle or see the FWC's "Be a Beach Hero" brochure.

For more information about nesting shorebirds, go to MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and download the "Share the Beach with Beach-Nesting Birds" brochure.