Summer is back and so is the beach! Plenty to do and see out and around the beach. Enjoy the blue sky and expanse of sand and enjoy the other returning guests, too!
First to be welcomed back is the Black Skimmer colony! It has finally settled in St. Pete Beach and laid their first egg Thursday, May 14th, 2020. They are nesting behind the Sirata Beach Resort, and the area has been roped off to protect the new and coming nests.
Help the Black Skimmers:
•Social distance and respect posted areas. If the birds become upset, you are too close!
•Don't flush the birds. Large flocks of Black Skimmers are gathering to choose a spot for their colony. Running through flocks will scare the birds, causing them to fly away. This could leave eggs unattended and vulnerable to predators and the hot sun.
•Keep pets off the beach and away from nesting areas.
•Don't feed wildlife, especially the gulls and crows. Also remember to throw away trash. Attracting predators near the colony puts the nests at risk.
Sea turtle nesting season is underway!
Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle to nest in Pinellas County, and females generally nest from early May through August. The eggs in each nest will typically incubate for 50 to 60 days before hatching.
Do not pick up hatchlings heading toward the water, shine lights or use photo equipment with a flash. Hatchlings use starlight and moonlight reflecting off the water to find their way to the ocean, and if they become misled by artificial light, they can become disoriented and die.
Besides checking the beaches every morning for signs of new nests, nesting staff mark the nests and rope them off to avoid human disturbance. As endangered and threatened species, Kemp’s Ridley and Loggerhead turtles are protected under state and federal law, and disturbing their nests is illegal.
During nesting season, beach visitors should do the following:
Turn off outside lights, draw drapes and avoid using flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach.
Remove obstacles such as sand castles or sand pits that may make it too difficult for hatchlings to make their way to the shoreline.
Keep the beach clean. Eliminate trash items that may entangle baby hatchlings and adult turtles.
Do not approach or harass adult turtles as they make their way back to sea.
If you spot turtle tracks or a possible nest, and it does not appear to be protected by stakes or ribbon, call 1-888-404-3922.
Hello, hamburger! It's not just critters back to the beach, here is something yummy for your tummy! Visitors can order the “Welcome Back” burger with their choice of sidewinder fries, tater tots, or coleslaw for $12.95, available through May 31st.
Boulevard Burgers & Tap House is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. The restaurant features happy hour every day from 4pm – 7pm, 15 local crafts on draft, Trivia Tuesdays, Kid Eat Free on Wednesdays, and live music on the weekends. The Boulevard is pet-friendly, offering a Yappy Hour every Saturday afternoon. Find The Boulevard at 5905 Gulf Boulevard, St Pete Beach, FL 33706. www.BLVDBurgers.com | 727-201-4906
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