A pair of Least Grebes have begun nesting at Yamato Scrub in Boca Raton. These birds are extremely rare in Florida (only 6 records in over 100 years), although they do occur on Hispaniola and in Texas and Mexico/Baja California.

These are nesting birds, and as such, should not be closely approached. If you do visit the site, do everything possible to avoid disturbing them. Please refer to the American Birding Association’s Code of Birding Ethics for details on how to behave with respect to these, and any, birds. First and foremost:

1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.

1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.

1(b) To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming.

Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area;

Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if there is a need for extended observation, photography, filming, or recording, try to use a blind or hide, and take advantage of natural cover.

Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups.

1(c) Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities.

1(d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.

These birds have already been reported on Tropical Audubon’s bird board, and on the FL-birds list, and have been heavily visited already. Please, please exercise all caution as you visit this site.

Thanks for your cooperation.