For two years in a row, several nesting pairs of snowy plovers have chosen a busy section of Siesta Key beach to hatch their young, both thrilling and horrifying bird experts and conservationists. The two-ounce, sand-colored plovers excite bird watchers who relish a rare sight. But because beachgoers trample the area, stepping on nests and chicks the size of cotton balls, the birds have had almost no nesting success. The situation could get worse for the birds, depending on the county government and its beach-going residents.

Sarasota County recently spent $7.3 million to buy almost four acres of beachfront between Siesta Village and the main public beach, to preserve the dune system and expand parking at Siesta Beach Access #7. It just happens to be right next to a plover nesting hot spot. "From a snowy plover perspective, now is the worst time to bring more people into that location," said Nancy Douglass, regional non-game biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The county Parks and Recreation Department is holding an open house at 6 p.m. Thursday to talk about how to improve beach access without furthering the demise of the snowy plover.

INTERESTED?

What: Public meeting on providing additional beach access at Siesta Beach Access #7

When: Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.

Where: St. Boniface Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242

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