Aquarina is home to many of the imperiled birds: Little Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Snowy Egret, White Ibis and Wood Storks among them.

FWC list of Imperiled birds in shore environments

Whether resting on a mangrove island or nesting on a barrier island beach, Florida's imperiled birds need space, which is increasingly difficult to find. The remaining habitat, in many cases, is affected by human disturbance.

Noise disturbance due to construction, traffic, and other anthropogenic activity has been found to have detrimental impacts on avian habitat occupancy, pairing success, and reproductive output.

Balancing our need for recreation with the needs of imperiled birds requires thoughtful consideration, especially when activities like pickleball, which generate significant noise, are involved. The increasing popularity of this sport, while offering great recreational benefits, can disrupt nearby wildlife, particularly sensitive bird species that rely on quiet environments for nesting and communication. To address this, recreation areas should be carefully planned, with noisy activities like pickleball situated away from critical bird habitats. Additionally, incorporating noise barriers or scheduling play during less sensitive times of the day could help minimize the impact. By taking proactive steps to reduce disturbances, we can ensure that our recreational pursuits, such as pickleball, coexist harmoniously with efforts to protect imperiled birds and preserve natural ecosystems.