Least tern chicks sitting atop a Key Largo residence are safe as they begin their development, thanks to the homeowner and several wildlife officials who recently visited the home to install a fence around the roof.
North America’s smallest terns usually like to nest in large colonies on gravels and beaches. Gravel rooftops are no longer up to code, so that further threatens their suitable nesting habitat.
In the Florida Keys, the best-known colonies are on the Diver’s Direct shopping center roof, Bank of America and Walgreens in Key Largo. Least terns also found safe nesting on the rooftop of a home on Little Miss Muffett Lane.
Least terns are a state-threatened species and are in decline due to lack of suitable nesting habitat.
“During nesting season, we get tons of calls about least tern chicks that have fallen off these roofs,” said Erin Allison, executive director for the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center in Tavernier. “If in good health, we typically re-nest the birds, with the help of Florida Keys Electric Cooperative in cases where the roof is inaccessible.”
Allison said the Little Miss Muffett homeowners were caring enough to help prevent chicks from falling off the roof. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation and the Wild Bird Center teamed up to install a small fence that will help contain the least tern chicks.
“FWC is also installing this on the roofs of condo buildings where other tern colonies are located,” she said.
Allison said this effort has a direct, positive effect on the survival of least tern chicks.
