BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — An area in Bradenton Beach has been sectioned off as a gathering ground for Black Skimmers after they were spotted there last week, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
Black Skimmers are known to populate sandy beaches and islands, preferring open sandy areas with sparse vegetation.
When laying eggs, both male and female skimmers kick sand behind them in a motion called “scraping,” rotating to create a saucer-shaped depression where they can put their eggs. The average scrape is 10 inches in diameter and one inch deep.
If they choose to rest in this location, it would mark the first time since 2017 that Anna Maria Island has hosted a colony of nesting Black Skimmers…