Lauren Deaner and Cameron Cox followed up on reports of large numbers of Common Loons at the Skyway Bridge and found even more than they were expecting.They counted 231 in the Manatee section of the south causeway, then 73 more in the Hillsborough section for a total of 304, a very impressive number.

The Lower Tampa Bay IBA is a BirdLife International/National Audubon site recognized for its global significance for birds and Tampa Audubon Society, @St. St. Petersburg Audubon Society, and Manatee County Audubon Society members are working with the Skyway Pier State Park staff and the fishermen customers to help protect birds from death and injury caused by fishing line and hooks.