This Independence Day Weekend, Audubon is asking beach-going Floridians to leave personal fireworks at home and attend official displays instead. Fireworks explosions, large and small, are especially frightening to coastal birds and their dependent chicks whose nests are right in the sand.

"Many people think the coast is the best place to spend July 4th weekend, but we're not the only ones," said Julie Wraithmell, Audubon Florida's Director of Wildlife Conservation. "This is also a critical time for some of our most iconic coastal birds - many of which are still guarding flightless chicks. A single ill-placed fireworks explosion or other disturbance can cause birds to fly from a nest, leaving their tiny babies vulnerable to predation and over-heating."

Several recent incidents highlight the urgent need for increased awareness of Florida's coastal nesting birds.

• In June on Marco Island, one of the state’s largest Black Skimmer and Least Tern colonies collapsed due to unrelenting predation by crows; the daily trash and human food left by beachgoers attracted a large number of crows to the site.
• Also this month, Audubon coastal biologists monitoring shorebird nesting on oyster bars and islands in Apalachicola Bay found an American Oystercatcher nest abandoned, with a dead chick in the nest bowl; extended disturbance by recreational boaters and their dogs kept the adults away from the nest, and the chick succumbed to the summer sun.
• Finally, authorities this week are investigating an incident on Anna Maria Island, where an unidentified man and woman drove a golf cart or ATV through a Black Skimmer colony, killing two chicks and injuring a third, and then drove through several posted marine turtle nests.

"These incidents are tragic reminders of the damage that unaware beachgoers can do," added Wraithmell. "Floridians can help by respecting all posted areas, cleaning up trash, and setting a good example for others by leaving personal fireworks at home."

"Whether the disturbance is intentional or not, the result for the birds is the same," said Eric Draper, Audubon Florida Executive Director. "Visitors to Florida's incredible beaches can ensure this Independence Day Weekend is safe and enjoyable for people and birds alike."

Each year along Florida's coast, state and local officials, along with Audubon volunteers, staff, and partners, post many of the state's beach and island nesting sites to prevent human disturbance. Additionally, volunteer "bird stewards" from local Audubon chapters and other partners will help chaperone nesting bird colonies on many Florida beaches this weekend. These stewards help educate beachgoers about the breathtaking spectacle of these colonies while reminding pedestrians not to enter protected areas. Volunteers also help monitor colonies to collect important citizen science data about the birds' nesting efforts.

Also, some communities are taking steps to afford extra protection to their birds this year. Officials in St. Pete Beach, Bradenton and St. Augustine have all modified their official fireworks displays to protect nesting colonies in their areas. “We’re grateful for their leadership,” said Marianne Korosy, Audubon’s Important Bird Areas Coordinator, “With their help, the public and the birds can both have a safe holiday.”

The Gulf of Mexico's waterbirds suffered dire effects from the Deepwater Horizon disaster; Audubon efforts to protect nesting birds are helping to recover these vulnerable species.

The birds need help: to learn about volunteer bird stewarding opportunities, citizens are encouraged to email flconservation@audubon.org for more information.

Audubon's Independence Day Beach Tips:

• Leave personal fireworks at home and attend an official display instead. Impromptu fireworks on Florida's beaches and waterways can have catastrophic effects for vulnerable chicks and eggs.
• Respect posted areas, even if you don't see birds inside them. Birds, eggs, and nests are well-camouflaged with the beach environment. Disturbance by people can cause the abandonment of an entire colony.
• Give posted nesting colony islands a wide berth. When fishing, be sure not to leave any equipment behind. Always dispose of fishing line and tackle appropriately.
• Avoid disturbing groups of birds. If birds take flight or appear agitated, you are too close.
• Refrain from walking dogs or allowing cats to roam freely on beaches during the nesting season. Even on a leash, dogs are perceived as predators by nesting birds, sometimes causing adults to flush at even greater distances than pedestrians alone.
• Don't let pets off boats onto posted islands or beaches.
• If you must walk your dog on beaches, always keep them on a leash and away from the birds.
• Do not bury or leave trash, picnic leftovers, charcoal or fish scraps on the beach, or feed any birds. These attract predators of chicks and eggs, such as fish crows, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and Laughing Gulls.
• Beach-nesting birds sometimes nest outside of posted areas.  If you notice birds circling over your head making noise, you may be near a nesting colony.  Leave quietly, and enjoy the colony from a distance.