June 29, 2005
Nesting Shorebirds Need Special Protection Over Fourth-of-July Weekend
Beachcombers, sunbathers and boaters along the Connecticut shoreline this July 4th holiday are urged to respect the fencing and yellow warning signs that have been placed along beaches where piping plovers and least terns nest. Each year, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Wildlife Division ropes off or fences plover and tern nesting sites to prevent human disturbance which may cause nest abandonment or the loss of eggs and chicks. The piping plover, a small, sandy-colored shorebird about the size of a sparrow, is a threatened species under both the federal and state Endangered Species Acts. The small, gull-like least tern nests in colonies in the same beach habitat as piping plovers, and is also classified as a state threatened species.
"These shorebirds need special protection throughout their April to August nesting season and especially when there is increased beach activity during summer," said Gina McCarthy, DEP Commissioner. "By heeding the warning signs and staying away from the fenced areas, beach visitors will not disturb the critical nesting areas."
Both piping plovers and least terns use only a shallow depression in the sand for a nest. Their sand-colored eggs and young are so well camouflaged that they are easily stepped on. When intruders approach, young piping plovers are likely to stand motionless while the adult tries to attract attention by pretending to have a broken wing or flying around the intruder. "If you witness this, move away from the area at once," advised Julie Victoria, a DEP Wildlife Division biologist. "Further disturbance may cause the adults to leave the nest, subjecting eggs and young to possible death by exposure to the elements or by predation."
Over the July 4th holiday, when setting off fireworks is a popular activity, the DEP is urging beach visitors to NOT set off fireworks near or toward any bird nesting areas. Fireworks will frighten the adult birds away from their nests, leaving the eggs or young vulnerable.
"Historically, piping plovers and least terns have been declining due to the loss of beach habitat to residential and recreational development," said Victoria. In Connecticut, there are approximately 30 pairs of piping plovers in 10 locations and about 150 pairs of least terns.
The DEP Wildlife Division provides the following advice to help protect nesting shorebirds:
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Refrain from walking dogs or allowing cats to roam freely on beaches during the nesting season. Dogs and cats are frequent predators of piping plovers and least terns. |
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If dogs are walked on beaches, always keep them on a leash. |
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If you live near a beach, do not let your pets roam during the nesting season. |
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Do not bury or leave trash, picnic leftovers and fish scraps on a beach. They attract predators of shorebird chicks and eggs, such as skunks, raccoons, foxes and black-backed gulls. |
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Do not attempt to "rescue" young birds that appear to be lost or too young. |
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Do not attempt to remove young birds from the beach to care for them at home. |
"In most cases, when immature birds are found alone, the adults have been frightened away but remain nearby and will return to their young once the intruder leaves," said Victoria.
It is illegal to hold wildlife for rehabilitation without proper state or federal permits. In addition, shorebirds have a unique diet that people would find hard to duplicate, probably resulting in starvation of the young bird. Any violations affecting wildlife should be reported to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hot line: 1-800-842-HELP.
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