Hello Shorebird Stewards!
I hope you are as excited as I am to start stewarding this Winter!
Let me introduce myself. My name is Robin Serne, and I am this season’s Winter Shorebird Steward Coordinator. Some of you may know me already; I was the Collier County steward over the summer season, working in Rookery Bay at the black skimmer nesting colony at the Big Marco Pass CWA.
For those who I have not yet gotten to meet:
I am currently a graduate student at FGCU in Environmental Studies. I also work as a kayak ecotour guide at Rising Tide Explorers in Rookery Bay, and am working with the Calusa Waterkeeper. I am a huge bird nerd, and I can't wait to start the winter season at Bunche Beach and the Little Estero CWA.
Hannah Richardson, a recent FGCU graduate, skilled naturalist, and environmental educator, will be assisting in stewarding this winter.
You can see a photo of Hannah and I attached so you know who to look for on the beach- I have braids, and Hannah has long brown hair, we also have blue and green “Ask me about the birds shirts” you can spot us with.
Personally, I prefer to visit Bunche Beach at low tide, so I will base my stewarding times around the tide schedule as much as I can, and I will be stewarding on Friday and Saturday each week.
At Bunche Beach, you can park at the end of the road, there is a parking meter in the cul-de-sac $2 per hour, or $10 for the day (free if you have a Lee Co Parks & Rec parking pass). There is a bathroom available in the parking lot on the right, about a third of a mile before the end of the road, at the kayak launch area. You can find me on the beach, likely to the right near the mudflat. Bring binoculars if you have them!
My phone number is 919.649.7158. Text is a great way to get in touch with me. I get a lot of spam calls so I don't always answer my phone.
January Bunche Beach Stewarding Schedule
Friday January 14: 3 pm
Saturday January 15: 3 pm
Friday January 21: 1 pm
Saturday January 22: 1 pm
Friday January 28: 10am
Saturday January 29:10am
Finally please remember the Winter Stewardship message/mission: Look for bands on bird legs, count species and numbers, share positive info with beach-going public including dogs leashed, don't run through flocks, and why/what birds are there (get healthy for breeding season in spring - many migrate to Arctic and Great Lakes to breed).
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, and I hope to see you soon!
-Robin