Nesting Terns at Truman Waterfront

Everything in Key West has an interesting history, and the new recreational field at the Truman Waterfront Park is in the process of making its own. It may be the only ballfield on the island that first served as a rookery.

Least terns — a protected species — are well known in the Keys for nesting this time of year on gravel-covered rooftop. It seems that, when the old PAL gym was renovated to become the Shine Forbes Building, the gravel roof was done away with.

However, the nearby gravel bed, which will be covered in turf to create the field, looked like the perfect nesting ground for a large number of terns.

Nests are scattered across the field, and eggs are beginning to hatch. Fledglings are skittering around on new legs. Watchful parents are dive bombing any human that comes too close.

Installation of the turf will begin after the last little one takes flight and the birds move on. In the meantime, crews are planting new landscaping around the perimeter of the future field.