ASSISTING OTHER WILDLIFE

Habitat conservation projects (Link to Sea Turtle Tips) such as minimizing lighting pollution and preserving dunes benefit a variety of other protected species that also live here on the Peninsula. Species in our area protected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife include Bald Eagles, Snowy Plovers, Least Terns, and Beach Mice.

  • Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

    The bald eagle is a national symbol and yet the total population only numbers between 3,000-4,000. Of that, approximately half are in Florida making protection of their nesting area critical. Nesting in our area occurs in the late fall and winter in tall trees strong enough to support the large nests and these nests will be reused by the same couple for decades. Eagles are threatened by decreasing habitat and human disturbance. Enjoy the eagles from distance using binoculars as no contact with eagles' nests or eagles is permitted.

    Photo courtesy of Florida Power and Light

  • Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)

    The population of Snowy Plovers, whose primary breeding areas are along the Gulf Coast and the Pacific Coast, continues to decline since the species was added to the National Audubon Society's Blue List of declining species in 1972. Primary contributors are loss of habitat because of construction or human disturbance of existing nests. The Snowy Plover is usually found on beaches, dry mud, or salt flats with colors easily blending into the surrounding environment. Nests are laid in May.

  • Least Tern (Sterna antillarium)

    The Least Tern, the smallest in the tern family, arrives in our area in late March and will reappear in mid-August before departing for the winter. Like the Snowy Plover, the Least Tern likes the open beach area for nesting. The adult will regularly turn the eggs and the shell or similar material substrate minimizes the eggs sticking together. Once threatened by 19th century hat fanciers, the Least Tern now copes with coastal development decreasing its nesting area, off-road vehicles driving over its nest, and jet skis muddying up its feeding area.

    Photo ©A. Morris/VIREO


  • St. Andrew's Beach Mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis)

    The St. Andrews beach mouse is a separate subspecies from the more common oldfield mouse found throughout the Southeast. This unique mouse has a very limited range that historically extended only from Crooked Island in Bay County to St. Joseph Peninsula in Gulf County and requires higher, intact, and older dunes with extensive groves of live oaks and rosemary. However, between hurricane damage and human disturbance, such as beach driving and dune destruction, the habitat destruction of the St. Andrews beach mouse has been widespread.
    Photo courtesy of Fl. Cooperative Fish and Wildlife

  • Who do I call if I find a sick, dead, or stranded animal?

    Barbara Elles  - 647-8238 St. Joe Wildlife Refuge - 229-BIRD

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