The U.S. National Park Service announced the beginning of the annual shorebird nesting season at the Gulf Islands National Seashore with a limited number of Gulf Islands Chick Magnets available for visitors who want to show their support.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore shared on its Facebook page that only 1,000 magnets are available this year for visitors who want a Gulf Islands Chick Magnet. The magnet also encourages visitors to drive at the mandatory 25 mph to support those birds. The magnet was available starting March 7.

“With the help of our community and those who enjoy the national seashore every day, we can ensure these nesting shorebirds have the best opportunity to welcome and reproduce their next generation,” Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Darrell Echols said in a March 6 news release.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore has public access in both Florida and Mississippi. In Mississippi, visitors can head to the five barrier islands or the mainland. Florida has six areas visitors can explore, according to the National Park Service.

Park staff will monitor the area for nesting and close spaces when needed to protect the birds. Visitors should stay away from nesting spaces, as their intrusion could cause adult birds to abandon nesting sites, according to the release. 

The release reminds visitors if they find themselves besieged by birds, it’s a sign of a nesting area, and they should leave that space, for the nesting birds and for themselves. Birds visitors may encounter include least terns, snowy plovers, Wilson’s plovers and black skimmers.