As strange as it may seem, there are definite similarities between tourists and shorebirds. Both arrive at the beach in March, stay for the summer and return to their other home as soon as the cool weather arrives. Some are looking for a mate, some come for the seafood and others just want to spend a nice warm summer on the beach.    
“The 2011 shorebird nesting season is underway in the Florida District of Gulf Islands National Seashore,” said Superintendent Dan Brown. “Each year, beginning in mid-March and ending in late summer, the park plays host to several species of ground nesting shorebirds such as least terns, snowy and Wilson’s plovers and black skimmers.”

For more on this story, see the March 24 edition of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.