Environmental Times Newsletter, Spring 2022

Environmental Success Story American Oystercatchers Nesting in Lake Worth Lagoon

It’s May, which means we are well into bird nesting season. The Department is currently monitoring four pairs of American oystercatchers nesting in Lake Worth Lagoon. There are an estimated 1,500 nesting pairs of American oystercatchers on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States.

The Lake Worth Lagoon birds have quite a history. One pair is back for its 18th consecutive year of nesting in the lagoon, nesting at Grassy Flats. A second pair began nesting in 2014 at Bryant Park, a third pair in 2017 at Snook Islands and the fourth pair at Tarpon Cove in 2019. Currently the Grassy Flats and Bryant Park nesting pairs are each raising a single chick. The Tarpon Cove pair has two chicks. The Snook Islands pair have their hands full raising three chicks.

These birds are a testament to the Department’s successful wetland habitat construction projects. Grassy Flats, Bryant Park, Snook Islands and Tarpon Cove are all restoration project sites that add valuable and productive fish and wildlife habitat to Lake Worth Lagoon. Next time you are on the water keep an eye out for these colorful birds. Learn more about Lake Worth Lagoon at www.pbclakeworthlagoon.com.