Protected birds nest on Daytona Beach

A mating pair of black skimmer birds is nesting and protecting its chick north of Sun Splash Park in Daytona Beach.

Beach drivers likely will have to detour around a family of black skimmer birds for up to two more weeks, as Volusia County Environmental Management and Beach Patrol have cordoned off a quarter-mile around the nest of the recently discovered federally and state-protected birds.

Officials will keep a close eye on the feathered family until the chick learns how to fly. For now, the chick is pretty defenseless. The parents are having to defend the chick from sea gulls.