The shorebird nesting season has begun at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Last week the first shorebird nest of the year was seen. Each year, from late February through the end of summer, the seashore provides nesting habitats for several species of ground-nesting shorebirds, including terns, snowy plovers, and black swimmers. Superintendent Dan Brown said adult birds and their chicks are sometimes hit by vehicles and posted speed limits are reduced to 25 miles per hour near nesting areas.