Beach wildlife affected after Cristobal flooding

After surveying the damage left from Tropical Storm Cristobal, wildlife experts on the Coast are now reeling with the loss of many protected birds’ nests on our beaches.

For personal - recreation and exercise.- - after surveying the damage left- from tropical storm cristobal,- wildlife experts on the coast - are now reeling with the loss o- many- protected birds' nests on our - beaches.- prior to the storm, there were- 18 least tern colonies- across harrison and hancock - county, but massive flooding- devasted them all.- fortunately, many least tern- chicks survived the storm surge- and rehabbers say now hundreds- of clapper rails- have washed ashore from marshy- ecoystems or- barrier islands.- program director of the audubon- mississippi - coastal bird stewardship progra- sarah pacyna- pa-see-na - says there's been a huge- response from gulf coast- wildlife rehabers to save the - birds in rough condition.

- - "we've been working with harrison county - sand beach authority and they - are actually stopping some of - their work with the debris- - - - cleanup to try to give a chance- for these birds to survive.

So- just something for people - to keep an eye out on the beach- for these birds.

They're little- brown birds with long - legs."

Pacyna advises anyone who finds- a least tern egg to - leave it where it is to give