After nearly 40 years on the brink of extinction, the brown pelican is coming off the endangered species list. The bird, now prevalent across Florida and the Gulf and Pacific coasts, was declared an endangered species in 1970, after its population was devastated by the use of the pesticide DDT. The pelican's recovery is largely due to a 1972 ban on the chemical. ...more

November 11, 2009

It's time for the body count. Volunteers will fan out to some 50 islands in Tampa Bay on Saturday to harvest discarded fishing line. They will also be documenting the number of dead birds they find, victims of fishing line spider-webbed across mangroves where birds nest and roost. ...more

October 24, 2008

It's time for the body count. Volunteers will fan out to some 50 islands in Tampa Bay on Saturday to harvest discarded fishing line. They will also be documenting the number of dead birds they find, victims of fishing line that spider-webs across mangroves where the birds nest and roost. Tampa Bay Watch and Audubon of Florida will coordinate the 15th annual Monofilament Cleanup Day, sending teams out to reel in thousands of feet of line. ...more

October 21, 2008

Fourth of July traditions like fireworks and kite-flying can be scary for nesting birds, and Audubon of Florida is asking boaters and beachgoers to avoid celebrating near roped-off and marked areas on Tampa Bay islands and Pinellas County beaches. Many of the Bay's nesting birds, including brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets and terns, have young chicks that are vulnerable to predators or the sun's heat. Frightening adult birds away from their offspring can spell death for the chicks at a time when some Tampa Bay species are flirting with extinction. ...more

July 1, 2008

The half-dozen brown pelicans shifted restlessly, jockeying for position as Dan Harp's three children tossed baitfish to the burly birds from atop a wooden platform. ...more

June 25, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The half-dozen brown pelicans shifted restlessly, jockeying for position as Dan Harp's three children tossed baitfish to the burly birds from atop a wooden platform. ...more

June 24, 2008

TAMPA - Adult brown pelicans are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, storm damage and predation. The No. 1 killer of these birds, though, is discarded fishing line. ...more

October 18, 2007