Lisa Neff

The AMITW patrol team — Lisa Picciano, Mary Kate Camara, Linda O’Neal, Bill Booher and Jeff Richmond — celebrates May 12 the posting of the first nest of the 2026 season. Islander Photo: Courtesy Danielle Kimberly

In Southwest Florida the week ending May 17, K. brevis, the red tide organism, was observed at background concentrations in Sarasota County.

The National Weather Service for the Tampa Bay area identifies our rainy season as May 25-Oct. 10.

To contact the SEO’s office, go to votemanatee.gov or call 941-741-3823.

A summary infographic shows hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook. Islander Graphics: Courtesy NOAA

AMITW patrollers Jeff Richmond, left, Maureen Richmond, Mary Anne Muniz and Linda O’Neal check on a nest the week ending May 29. Islander Photo: Courtesy Terri Edwards

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