Nesting season is underway on Volusia beaches

Volusia County officials are asking residents and visitors to give nesting shorebirds extra space after environmental staff identified multiple active nesting areas on county-managed beaches. According to county reporting cited by WFTV, staff surveys found two least tern colonies and six Wilson’s plover nests near Bethune Beach Park, Smyrna Dunes Park and two vacant beachfront properties in Daytona Beach.

To protect those sites, the county has placed barriers and “Do Not Enter” signs around the nesting areas. The warning is especially important this time of year because many shorebirds lay eggs directly on the sand, where nests can be difficult to spot even for careful beachgoers.

Why this matters for Edgewater

This is one of the more practical countywide advisories for Edgewater readers because Bethune Beach Park sits just north of Edgewater and is a regular destination for local residents. Families heading to the beach, dog owners and anyone walking near the dunes should expect marked-off areas and should avoid entering them, even if birds or nests are not immediately visible.

County officials say newly hatched chicks remain flightless for several weeks, making them especially vulnerable to people, pets and other disturbances. Adult birds may abandon nests if repeatedly frightened, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators and heat.

Species identified by the county

Among the birds now nesting are Wilson’s plovers, sandy brown shorebirds that stay close to ocean coastlines and are vulnerable to habitat disruption. Their eggs typically incubate for about 24 to 25 days, and chicks need roughly another month before they can fly. The county also reported nesting by least terns, a species listed as threatened in Florida.

Least terns often nest in colonies and are known to defend their nesting areas aggressively. That means beach visitors may notice birds circling or calling loudly if they get too close. Wildlife officials say that behavior is a sign people should back away immediately.

What beachgoers should do

For Edgewater-area residents planning beach trips, the guidance is straightforward: respect posted barriers, keep dogs leashed and away from protected areas, and watch where you step near open sand and dune edges. Even well-intentioned visitors can accidentally crush eggs or disturb chicks because the nests are so well camouflaged.

The county’s message is less about restricting beach access than about sharing the shoreline safely during a sensitive season. With summer crowds building, these protections are likely to remain visible for weeks. If birds appear agitated or leave a nest area, you are too close, and moving back is the best way to help protect the nesting season.