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Have you ever wondered how coastal birds nest in areas without trees? Most people picture bird nests as intricate twig bowls nestled in branches, and I did too — until I had the pleasure of working as a seasonal shorebird steward with ̽����ѡ Florida. It turns out that in the same areas where beachgoers lay out towels and set up umbrellas, birds are selecting nesting spots directly in the sand, where they construct scrapes — shallow depressions in the sand designed to hold eggs. Heading into my second summer as the Navarre Beach seabird steward, I’ve had the unique opportunity to monitor beach-nesting birds and observe the diversity of their nesting methods. While all these birds nest on the ground, their nest sites and structures vary between species and even individuals.

Black Skimmers

Of all the birds I monitored, Black Skimmers were the most recognizable to beachgoers and constructed the simplest scrapes. Black Skimmers nest in colonies and prefer open beach areas with hardly any vegetation, much like the spots people choose for a day at the beach. Their scrapes are deep, bare depressions made directly in the sand by a breeding pair, who take turns kicking up sand while raising their heads and tails in a comical position. The depth of the scrape provides essential shade to the eggs and nestlings throughout the day, preventing the nest from overheating when the parents are away for short periods of time. To protect their eggs, Black Skimmers utilize group mobbing techniques and often nest in groups with other colonial nesters, such as the Least Tern.

Least Terns

Least Terns nest all over the Florida Panhandle, and like Black Skimmers, they prefer open, sparsely vegetated, sandy areas. After finding a mate, the female selects what she believes is the ideal nesting spot, and the pair defend it fiercely. They then begin kicking up sand to create a shallow scrape, sometimes decorated with shells and pebbles. While the depth and decor of the scrapes vary, the eggs always blend into their sandy environment, which keeps the nests hidden from predators — but also leaves them vulnerable to being crushed by people walking along the beach. To defend against predators, Least Terns dive bomb and defecate on intruders, warning that eggs are nearby and people should exit the area. These little terns are incredibly persistent, relentlessly diving at threats until they are an acceptable distance from the colony. While colonial nesting in open areas works for seabirds, other beach-nesting birds, such as shorebirds, utilize different techniques to protect their eggs.

Wilson's Plovers

For Wilson’s Plovers, scraping is more than simply making a place for their eggs, it is also part of their mating ritual. Male Wilson’s Plovers create and decorate multiple scrapes for females to choose from, and once the female selects her favorite scrape, nesting begins. These scrapes are made on sandy ground near a piece of vegetation and adorned with shells and other beach debris to help hide their eggs from predators. Unlike Snowy Plovers, a closely related species that loads up their scrapes with shells and prefers sparse vegetation, Wilson’s Plovers nest in more vegetated areas of the dunes. Unlike colony nesters, Wilson’s Plovers are highly territorial, making them solitary nesters. To defend their nests, they lead intruders away by running and performing a broken wing display, or sometimes team up with other Wilson’s Plovers to further confuse intruders. Their defense is so effective that even biologists occasionally struggle to locate their nests, especially when the jarring alarm call of a nearby Willet alerts the plovers of an intruder’s presence.

Willets

Willets were by far the loudest birds I encountered this season, but their nests were the hardest to find. These birds like to nest in grassy areas near salt marshes, where their eggs are completely hidden and protected from predators. To make their scrapes, a male Willet digs a little indent in the sand and the female lines it with grass from the surrounding area to disguise their eggs. These territorial shorebirds are intolerant of anyone near their nests, revealing that “too close” is a very subjective concept: Willets dive bomb and scream at intruders even when they are a considerable distance away, making their nests almost impossible to locate.

Though all these birds nest on the ground, their nesting methods are diverse, showcasing the unique traits of each species and adaptive strategies used to protect their young. Being alert at the beach and giving birds space to nest is crucial for conserving these iconic species and ensuring they continue to thrive on our shores for years to come.