February 6-12: Florida Winter Shorebird Survey
February 7: Tropical Audubon Society Bird Day, Miami, FL
February 13. Treasure Coast. Virtual. Contact Niki Desjardin
February 18. Southeast. Virtual. Contact Natasha Warraich
February 26. Timucuan. In person. Contact Hailey Dedmon, Chris Farrell, or Blair Hayman
February 27. Nature Coast. Virtual. Contact Taylor Bell or Blair Hayman
March 2. Volusia. In person and virtual. Contact Jennifer Winters
March 5. Space Coast. In person. Contact Yagen Gutierrez, Hailey Dedmon, or Amanda Hipps
March 5. Suncoast. Virtual. Contact Beth Forys or Kara Durda
March 6. Collier-Lee-Charlotte. Virtual. Contact Megan Hatten or Jacob Wonzy
March 9. St. Johns/Flagler. In person. Contact Hailey Dedmon or Chris Farrell
March 11. Panhandle. In person and virtual. Contact Collette Lauzau or Nick Vitale
March 10: 1-2 p.m. (EST): FSD webinar for new surveyors
March 11: 1-2 p.m. (EST): FSD webinar for returning surveyors
March 12: 1-2 p.m. (EST): FSD webinar for rooftop monitors
 Photo by FWC
The Florida Winter Shorebird Survey:
February 6-12, 2026
Florida’s annual Winter Shorebird Survey starts this Friday! 2026 is the 18th year of the Florida Winter Shorebird Survey (a.k.a. the First Friday in February Survey). The primary objective of the Winter Shorebird Survey is to better understand the winter distribution of shorebirds and seabirds in Florida, and the survey serves as a statewide snapshot. This annual survey will allow us to recognize long-term trends or changes in winter population sizes and distribution. It will also help us identify key wintering sites – information that is much needed to guide future conservation efforts, particularly for state or federally-listed focal species. More information about how to participate is available on the Florida Winter Shorebird Survey Webpage.
Here are some key things to remember as you prepare for the survey:
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Survey dates are February 6-12 (first Friday in February)
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Review the 2026 Winter Shorebird Survey Protocol
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You must report all GPS locations in Decimal Degrees
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You have the option to survey only focal species
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GPS locations for flocks >50 non-focal species are optional (and encouraged), rather than required
As partners in shorebird conservation, we sincerely appreciate your dedication to the birds and your health and safety are top priorities. If you participate in the Winter Shorebird Survey, visit www.myFWC.com/AvianInfluenza for updated information about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
If you have questions, please email Shorebird@MyFWC.com. We look forward to participating alongside you in this fun winter survey.
 Save the Date: FSD Webinars
It’s that time of year again! The start of the 2026 shorebird and seabird breeding season is fast approaching and the FSD will reopen in March. The FSD team has put together a series of webinars tailored for monitors with all levels of experience.
Tuesday, March 10: 1-2 p.m. (EST): FSD webinar for new route surveyors. Learn the basics of the Breeding Bird Protocol and how to enter surveys into the database.
Wednesday, March 11: 1-2 p.m. (EST): FSD webinar for returning route surveyors. This refresher includes important updates to the database and review of the Breeding Bird Protocol.
Thursday, March 12: 1-2 p.m. (EST): FSD webinar for new and returning rooftop monitors. Learn the basics of monitoring seabirds and shorebirds on rooftops and how to enter surveys in the database.
Registration is now open for the 2026 FSD webinars. Details and instructions will be emailed to registered participants prior to the webinars. REGISTER TODAY!
Email FLShorebirdDatabase@MyFWC.com if you have any questions!
 Photo by FWC
Join us!
The 2026 breeding season is just around the corner. There are many ways to get involved in conserving Florida's charismatic shorebirds and seabirds. Every breeding season there are opportunities to get involved through: posting important nesting areas; educating the public by stewarding at breeding colonies and nesting sites; and monitoring birds nesting on the ground or at one of the many rooftops that host nesting birds.
If you would like to get involved in the 2026 breeding season activities, email Shorebird@MyFWC.com for more information about your local partnership and opportunities.
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