Where the Least Terns Nest

Can you spot the Least Tern chick hiding in this photo? 
It's our little one out on Siesta Key.

With little undisturbed habitat left on beaches, Least Terns are using flat, gravel rooftops for nesting. A threatened species in the state of Florida, Least Terns are also the smallest of all terns in the country.

This summer approximately 100 Least Tern chicks fledged on the rooftop of the Carlton water treatmeat plant. It was a hugely successful season. Many thanks to Ellen McLean, along with Frank DeSteno and Nancy Edmondson, who inspected the roof each week.

Ellen reported the progress to us with such pride—like a new mom.

Since our beaches were unproductive for nesting Least Terns and Black Skimmers, this was a ray of hope in a gloomy outlook. No colonies on either South or North Lido, but a miracle occurred on Siesta Key: One Least Tern nested on the beach near Access 7, the first tern nesting on Siesta Key in over 30 years!

The Florikan roof near the Celery Fields produced 30-40 Least Tern chicks, another success for which we are grateful!

We thank everyone who cares about this special bird and especially those who volunteered their time to look after the nesting areas this summer.