Kara Durda

Shorebird Program Manager, Tampa Bay

Articles by Kara Durda

graphic showing an oystercatcher next to a chick in an egg with the words "be a good egg"
Be a Good Egg: Share the Shore
March 20, 2026 — Working together, we can safeguard a successful breeding season for beach-nesting birds.
FLORIDA Coastal Stewardship
Four Red Knot shorebirds on the beach
Fall Migration is Underway!
August 20, 2025 — Florida's coastline plays a critical role for sea and shorebirds in all seasons.
FLORIDA Coastal Stewardship
Peregrine Falcon sitting on a log on the beach.
A Rooftop-nesting “Snowbird” Visitor in Florida
February 18, 2025 — Peregrine Falcons hunt for prey along Florida's coastlines each winter.
FLORIDA
Two adult and one fledge American Oystercatchers stand on the sand. One of the adults is banded.
Banded Oystercatcher Showcases Nesting Habitat Discovery
July 12, 2023 — The successful nesting season for X16 and her mate confirms that American Oystercatchers can be versatile in their nesting habitat.
FLORIDA
A juvenile American Oystercatcher stands on a rooftop.
Making Rooftop Program and Banding History
June 15, 2023 — by Kara Cook, Rooftop Biologist.
FLORIDA
Black Skimmer with fuzzy chicks on a rooftop.
Sea and Shorebirds Flock to Tampa Bay Region Roofs
May 22, 2023 — A mid-season nesting update by Kara Cook, Audubon Florida Rooftop Biologist.
FLORIDA
Bird on a rooftop
Coastal Birds Are Nesting on Tampa Bay Area Rooftops
February 21, 2023 — Sea and shorebirds sometimes nest on gravel rooftops instead of beaches.
FLORIDA
Kara Cook unrolls chick fencing (a long strip of wire mesh) on top of a gravel rooftop.
Long-term Partnerships Shepherd Successful Rooftop Nesting Season in Tampa Bay Region
September 09, 2022 — Kara Cook, Audubon Florida Rooftop Biologist, reflects on the 2022 breeding season.
FLORIDA
Three Least Terns sitting on a gravel rooftop.
Florida Sea and Shorebirds Nest on Disappearing Gravel Rooftops
May 24, 2022 — by Kara Cook, Audubon Florida Rooftop Biologist.
FLORIDA
Least Tern chick on a rooftop.
A Season in the Life of a Bird Biologist: Kara Cook Climbs High to Monitor Rooftop Colonies
August 25, 2021 — by Kara Cook, Rooftop Biologist.
FLORIDA