Project ColonyWatch

Download the ColonyWatch Handbook

What do birdwatchers do best? Watch birds, of course! Project ColonyWatch uses volunteer birders to adopt and protect local bird colonies. Because a bird colony is a small site where many birds come to nest, it is extremely vulnerable to disturbance during nesting by humans, dogs, and natural predators. A badly timed intrusion can cause the loss of an entire colony's nesting efforts. Fortunately, for the same reason, well-designed protective measures can safeguard hundreds or thousands of nests. By recruiting and training volunteers to become the local "wardens", biologists, and advocates for a nesting colony, we can increase the effectiveness of our colony protection efforts across Florida.

To date, volunteers from Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Venice Area, Indian River, Apalachee, Kissimmee Valley, Manatee County, and Citrus County Audubon Societies have participated in Project ColonyWatch, with important and significant wildlife protection results. A Project ColonyWatch Handbook to instruct volunteers on colony protection needs, census techniques, agency outreach, media tips, etc. is available, published in cooperation with the Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program.

Monofilament Cleanup

​Seasonally, in October, when the birds are not nesting, Coastal Islands Sanctuary volunteers coordinate in cooperation with Tampa BayWatch and visit over 50 colony islands in Tampa Bay, Clearwater Harbor, and Sarasota Bay to remove fishing line and other materials which could trap birds and wildlife. Fishing line has been identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as the predominant mortality factor for adult Brown Pelicans. Persisting in the colony, a piece of fishing line can kill one bird after another. Removal of the line aids the survival of healthy wild birds, especially breeding adults. We estimate that this project saves the lives of 200-300 adult birds each year. The most vulnerable species, and therefore, the most likely beneficiaries of removal of monofilament from nesting islands, are pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, gulls, terns, and skimmers.

Email us at flconservation@audubon.org to learn more.