Protect and Restore Our Bays Together

If you’ve spotted a gull with a crisp white head, gray wings, and a distinct black ring around its yellow bill, you’ve likely seen one (or hundreds, as they tend to congregate) of Ring-Billed Gulls! These adaptable birds are common winter visitors to St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bays, migrating south to escape colder northern climates. They’re often seen near beaches, docks, and parking lots and are omnivorous, scavenging for whatever they can get their beaks on - trash included! Help protect their populations by keeping shorelines clean and free from litter and keep an eye out for them as they travel north for the spring! #wildlifewednesday

As Seagrass Awareness Month comes to a close, let’s take a moment to appreciate the many ways seagrass sustains our ecosystems! From protecting shorelines to supporting marine life, these underwater plants are essential for a thriving bay. #seagrassawarenessmonth #seagrass #sasjbep #standrewbay #stjosephbay

Small but tough, mud crabs are common residents of our bays, often hiding within oyster reefs, seagrass beds, and marshes. We frequently spot them during Vertical Oyster Garden monitoring, as they make their homes among the oysters! There are several species in the Florida Panhandle including the White-fingered or Harris Mud Crab and the Flatback Mud Crab. These little crabs have strong claws, often larger on one side, which help them crack open oysters and barnacles. Mud crabs play an important role in the estuarine ecosystem, both as predators and prey for larger fish, birds, and even other crabs. Next time you're exploring the shoreline or checking your VOG, keep an eye out for these little crustaceans! Photo Credit: Paulius Vaitiekūnas
#wildlifewednesday #mudcrab #sasjbep #standrewbay #stjosephbay #standrewbaywatershed #estuaryprogram #verticaloystergarden