Lisa Neff

The first least tern chick of the season is sighted with its parents June 2 on the shore in Bradenton Beach, where there is a nesting colony of terns and also a colony of black skimmers. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring said a coyote has disturbed nesting. Some chicks are missing and eggs were destroyed. Read more on page 16. Islander Photo: Courtesy Kathy Doddridge

Debbie Basilius collects data from a newly laid sea turtle nest during an AMITW patrol the week ending June 12. The team begins its morning patrols about 20 minutes before sunrise. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMITW/Andrea Cramer

Two least tern chicks, born the week ending June 26, sit near their parent. AMITW said as chicks get older, they wander from their parents. So it’s important to keep an eye out for them. The least tern colony and a black skimmer colony are on the Gulf shore in Bradenton Beach. As of June 26, there were 26 adults, seven chicks and nine nests in the tern colony. There were nine adults and no nests in the skimmer colony. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMITW/Kathy Doddridge

The week ending July 10, hatchlings are gathered in a bucket, awaiting their release after being rescued from a swimming pool in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: AMITW/Cindy Hodge

Bradenton Beach’s next police chief is the department’s second in command. The city commission unanimously voted July 16 to appoint Lt. Lenard Diaz to

A loggerhead hatchling makes its way to the water after being found inside a hatched nest. AMITW excavates nests three days after a main hatch to inventory the hatched and unhatched eggs and an occasional hatchling. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMITW/ Amy Waterbury

Rainbow patrol Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch patroller Bob Haynes takes in a rainbow that forms on a stormy day the week ending July 31 after getting caught in a squall. He waited out the storm in a parking garage. For news about nesting season on AMI, go to page 16. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMITW/Bill Booher

Anna Maria Elementary School is ready to make a splash as students and families head back for the 2026-27 school year, with an open house set for Thursday, Aug. 6, and the first day of class arriving Monday, Aug. 10.

From her beachfront perch the week ending Aug. 7, Holmes Beach resident Kathy Caserta captures a photo of morning activity on the shore, including an Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring patrol. For the week Aug. 1-7, AMITW recorded six new sea turtle nests and five false crawls. Islander Photo: Kathy Caserta

In June, the county took in more than $4.6 million from the tourist development tax, an increase of 27.63% from the June 2025 collection, according to a