SARASOTA - We may not realize it, but many of the things we leave behind in the water and at the beach every day are putting the lives of many of our native birds in harm’s way.

That's why workers at Save Our Seabirds are urging people to be a little more cautious, hoping to reduce the continuously growing problem.

One bird was going about his normal business, diving for fish, when he got caught up in a propeller blade. He's doing better now, but he's lucky. Many other times it's too late for birds that get caught and entangled in things such as fishing line and our garbage. It’s a problem we need your help to fix.

Another bird was brought in roughly about a month and a half ago with monofilament wrapped just below the ankle. It’s lucky to be alive, but it’s an injury that leaves him living away from his natural habitat with about 400 others. It's healing rather well, but probably will not be released because of its injuries, which are not uncommon too many types of birds on the Suncoast.

“We see a lot of the herons, the pelicans, a lot of the larger shore birds, and that's the thing, they have to be able to fly and or be able to land or use their legs,” says Martha Massfeller of SOS.

“People can be very careless when they leave their trash around,” says Lee Fox, Founder, Save Our Seabirds.
Things from socks to fishing line, these are all the type of items that we leave behind onshore and in the water that are endangering these birds.

They've had hair scrunchys they've had rope, they had dog hair where people have brushed their dogs off by the waterway, and the anhingers are trying to catch fish they see things floating by, they think it's a fish and they jab at it.

While most of the time it's not intentional, Save Our Seabirds founder Lee Fox says it continues to be a growing problem as each year out of all the birds that they treat, they only save about 1000.

“The more people there are around, the more encroachment on their habitats where they have to nest and they have to feed. We have to respect the sanctity of the wildlife,” says Fox..

It’s as easy as throwing your trash in the garbage, not leaving fishing hooks and lines behind in the water and knowing what to do if you see an injured bird.

“They have to go to the beach one time and they'll see an injured bird or monofilament line on a bird, find out where they can find some information about it and what they can do,” says Fox..

The most important thing to remember is not to feed the birds. That makes them come back with their families and hang around the piers and fishermen, which can potentially put them in danger once they start looking for food.

If you find a bird injured, call 388-3010.

**FROM SAVE OUR SEABIRDS**