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Rare Birds Put The Breaks On Beach Driving In Daytona

A big tourist draw for Daytona Beach is the fact that people can drive their cars on the beach, just park right where they want to & hang out for the day.

You don't have to fight for parking in a parking lot then lug your cooler, blankets, chairs and surfboards or other toys from the parking lot to the beach, it's all right there for you.

Recently, some rare visitors decided to visit Daytona Beach. Then they had their baby here and put a small damper on the beach driving for about a quarter mile of the beach.

They are Black Skimmers, and are classified a "Species Of Concern" by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee.

I started hearing about them a week and a half ago on a Saturday morning while reading the Daytona News Journal.

The News Journal reported that they just appeared with the baby out of the scrub bushes where beach officials believed the baby recently hatched.

Here is a recent article on them from the News Journal:

Beach buffer established to protect baby bird

Black Skimmers made their appearance that particular section of beach was shut down to driving. The officials estimated the beach would be closed off to vehicles about a week.

A week has turned into two weeks now and yesterday my hairdresser called me and said "Lysa have you seen these birds yet?" I told her no I hadn't. I wasn't sure exactly where to go to see them as I wasn't familiar with the beach in Daytona, I don't do beach driving. I also didn't have a clue where to go to park. She told me how to get to Sun Splash Park, also that I could park there and to "Get my camera and get my "AHEM" to the beach and take some pictures!"

So, I did!

This is the first time Black Skimmers have nested here in Daytona so this is a big deal for us.

While taking photos, I guess I wore the baby out and it just plopped down, almost like a puppy would and went to sleep...

If you want to go see them and get photos, it seems the earlier in the morning you go the better. Sun Splash Park is about a quarter mile south of the Daytona Pier and International Speedway Blvd. Park there and just walk north on the beach a little ways. You can't miss these birds.

(They seem to know that this area is roped off just for them. )

You can read another news article from South Florida about our visitors here:

Protected birds nest on Daytona Beach

Online Videos by Veoh.com
Online Videos by Veoh.com

Posted by Lysa Napolitano, Call Coordinator ~ Century 21 Sundance on 08/15/2007 10:41 AM

Comments (30)

Daytona Wildlife in the Regional (Localism) Channel

black skimmers, daytona beach, daytona beach florida, century 21 sundance

This post has been included in Florida Information Volusia County, FL Information Daytona Beach, FL Information

30 Comments on Rare Birds Put The Breaks On Beach Driving In Daytona

AUG

2007

Lysa-This is incredible. The beautiful wonders of life. Those birds are so unique looking and your post is awesome! Now Louie and I have to go check out these birds...he loves nature too!a

Awww..that plopped down pooped out little birdie is soooo cute. These skimmers are beautiful! There orange beaks make them look like they're part of the Froot Loop bird family :)

Midori, you and Louie really need to go over there to see them for yourself! The baby is adorable! Put that new camera to use girlfriend!

Sally, it was so cute how he did it, I wish I was shooting video at the time. I thought they were toucans when I saw them on the news at first too.

Lysa, How cool is that!! Those birds look great. Guess you can't call them bird brains now..:-) look at what they got the city to do for them

Lysa - have you're ears been burning - I've been thinking of you for 2 days- my camera fell and broke and I got a new one and took 500 pics on the beach Monday - great bird close ups and even did a post on the Turtle Nests on our beach - great minds think alike - We all have to work to protect our beaches - GREAT POST!!

Hi Lysa, those birds are really cool looking. i like how one is stretched on the sand :) Good for you for raising some awareness for this protected bird :)

Daytona's beach driving is really neat. nothing like finding the perfect little wave while cruising the beach from end to end. ;)

I recall some great times on that beach when I lived in Orlando. There are lots of dolphins up in that area.. and manatees too. I've seen dolphins on several occasions while in the water. hope the Spring Breaks have calmed down a little.. man that place was fun :))

Matt, you sound just like me, how coll is that LOL! That is exactly what I would say. The city doesn't mess around with endangered animals around here, I like that.

Cyndee, I just stopped by, great post! Our signs here say "Please leave only your footprints behind". I am so glad I went this morning to see this little family. It's been a long time since I've been to the beach, it felt good and it felt special being there with them.

Nick, do you still have your hair? That little baby just plopped right down, he must have just eaten before I got there. Out like a light. I think you can only drive so far on this stretch, then go out to A1A around the pier then back on the beach. I'm not sure. I stay away during Spring Break, the closest I get is Main Street Station...

Awww, I love the sleeping baby!! That's so cute! Your nature series posts are always a wonderful read, Lysa. Thanks for doing more! (And thanks to your hairdresser for sending you there!)

Sarah, isn't it the cutest? Thanks girl! She's working tonight, I'll have to stop by and show her the photos I took this am, I give her the message and link to this post LOL

Lysa

The birds heard so much about Daytona --that they decided to raise their family where its most fun -- at the beach!

You should do a post card -- Daytona is so hot rare birds are finding it desirable! ( I'll take a penny a card in royalty):)

Lysa, what a wonderful post. I just love all the pictures that you took. The baby was adoreable!! How nice to be able to get out in nature and see these wonderful birds.

Lysa, wow this is really neat, I love birds and wonder how they can be so lucky to live as they do, and fly and see things we just cannot do, not the way they can....hum, neat post....I will let you write that one...LOL

Hi Aziz, That's it! LOL! The post card idea sounds great, I can do a penny a card :)

Diane, Thanks :), I love getting close to the wildlife here, this was a special treat though and it is just one of the many plus's of living in the Daytona Beach Area.

Bob, that is so true! If there is such a thing as reincarnation I want to come back as a pelican :)

Lysa, Those are beautiful birds!!! I really enjoyed the videos...so peaceful. Thanks for sharing this Lysa. I LOVE birds!!

Wow, these are such great pictures. I loved this story. If I lived near, I would definately go and check the out.

Hi Bryant! Aren't they beautiful though? I'm so glad you enjoyed the videos! I'm so glad that you and TLW got us into doing video's on here, sometimes photos aren't enough. I love birds too!

Tracey, Thanks for stopping by, I'm so glad you enjoyed the blog!

WOW! Thanks for sharing! I haven't gone to Daytona in years because of all the tourists; it just might be worth a trip now!!!

Lysa,

I love the video. I am going to sent it to my folks. It is interesting that baby bird look nothing like adults. Even their beaks are different color. I wonder how it changes as they grow older. First the feathers then the beaks? Or visa versa?

Barbara, Don't wait too long, they expect the baby to learn to fly soon, once it does the family will migrate to places unknown. Thanks for stopping by!

Anna, You and hubby need to go see them for yourselves. I think the beak changes first from the pictures I saw while researching them, it takes a year or so for their feathers to change.. Tell your folks hi!

Lysa...they are so beautiful! Thank you for posting this. I have never seen anything like them!

AUG

2007

Joan, I had never seen anything like them myself until yesterday (besides in the news). I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. I could have spent all day there.

This is incredible! Glad you took the photos and shared too.... nothing like a protected species to bring out the people too. Did they know they were/are stars?

Hi Debi, You got that right. I think they do know they are special, somehow... I really do.

Its a deal!

Lysa - Love the baby just plopping down and taking a nap! The orange on the beaks is so bright and beautiful!

AUG

2007

Aziz, LOL!

Kim, it was so adorable when the baby did that. Agreed on the orange beaks!

AUG

2007

Lysa - when I saw these birds I instantly thought of Puffins. They are not similar at all, but the coloring and stance was remarkably familiar! LOL Great photos!

AUG

2007

Carol, I can see what you mean. While in Maine last year I wanted to go on a Puffin cruise but I had a choice between a whale watch and Puffin, I took the whale.. (the seas were bad during my stay and only one good boating day). One day I would love to photograph the Puffins.

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