Sanderling from Peru sighted on Sanibel

As the chaos of hurricane disaster recovery continues to dwindle, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's shorebird team is back in the office reviewing data from the last year It recently confirmed that a sanderling encountered on Sanibel late last summer was from Peru

At the time the team resighted the sanderling known by its band code, 4MC it was halfway home to its wintering grounds in Peru After breeding in arctic Canada during the summer, many sanderlings begin their southward migration on a journey that can range anywhere from 1,800 to over 6,000 miles

“Thanks to the Paracas Shorebird Project, we know that sanderling 4MC travels to and from South America for the wintering and breeding season, respectively,” shorebird technician Aaron White said “It was banded as an adult in Peru, in February 2018, making this bird at least 4 years old This is the first ever banded bird that our shorebird team has ever resighted from Peru ”

The SCCF reported that not all sanderlings journey all the way to South America Sanibel is home to a couple of winter resident sanderlings, known as P03 and T93, that complete their southern migration once they reach Sanibel Some non-breeding individuals remain at their wintering grounds throughout the year to avoid wasting energy traveling north, so sanderlings can also be found year-round on many beaches across North America, including on Sanibel and Captiva

The Paracas Shorebird Project has been banding shorebirds at the Paracas National Reserve in Peru for the past seven years The project has banded over 6,000 individuals of many shorebird species, including the semipalmated sandpiper, western sandpiper, sanderling and semipalmated plovers, which can all be found in Southwest Florida

“ O b t a i n i n g t h i s r e s i g h t i n f o r m a t i o n g i v e s researchers at the Paracas Shorebird Project insight into the migratory patterns of their banded birds,” he said “The SCCF shorebird team thanks the Paracas Shorebird Project for getting this bird’s information to us and hopes to see more Peruvian shorebirds in the future ”

Each year, the city celebrates Arbor Day by planting a dedicated tree This year, a Mastic (Sideroxylon foetidissimum) was planted in honor of the residents of Sanibel, whose resilience continues to be displayed following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian

Additionally, a Joewood (Jacquinia keyensis) the official plant of Sanibel was included in the celebration to symbolize new beginnings for the sanctuary island community during these early stages of recovery and restoration

Arbor Day celebrations on Sanibel began 34 years ago when the city's Vegetation Committee, seeking to become recognized as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation, recommended the city participate in an annual observance of Arbor Day Since 1989, Sanibel has celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree in honor of a historical figure, local individual or organization

To view the “Arbor Day Trees” list, visit https://www mysanibel com/content/download/29007/file/ 2022%20ARBOR%20DAY%20SEEDLINGS%20%280

02%29 pdf

In addition, the city is providing free native seedlings as a way for residents to participate in Arbor Day by planting their own commemorative tree The options available for this year are as follows:

∫ Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)

∫ Live oak (Quercus virginiana)

∫ Red maple (Acer rubrum)

To pick up a seedling, stop by the City Hall main entrance between 8:30 a m and 4 p m

There are 120 seedlings available on a first come first serve basis

For more information, Rachel Rainbolt at the Natural Resources Department at rachel rainbolt@mysanibel com