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Sharing the Beach With Nesting Shorebirds |
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Who can resist the beach in the summer? It’s a fun place to enjoy the surf and sun and can also be a great
place to see birds. Many species of birds depend on beaches for survival, and lots of shorebirds have traveled many thousands of miles to get to the beach where they are nesting. Some nest in huge colonies like Black skimmers or Least terns, others prefer to have their own real estate, like Piping plovers. And who can resist these adorable chicks?
Beach nests are scrapes in the sand with seriously camouflaged eggs that are difficult to see until you are on top of them. The parents work in pairs to defend their chicks from predators and any thing — (humans and
dogs on or off leash included), that is seen by them as a potential predator distracts them from feeding and protecting their chicks, causes stress and creates opportunities for real predators (like a gull, crow, hawk or fox) to make a split second grab of the babies.
If a bird is swooping down on you, barely missing your head, you are dangerously close to eggs or chicks. Make a beeline away from the aerial bomber, checking out the sand to make sure you are not walking on eggs or chicks. Least and common terns are notorious for this behavior and they are very accurate poopers, so be forewarned…this fishy stuff doesn’t come out of your clothes or hair very easily.
Ever see this broken wing display? The bird goes to a lot of trouble to make you think she is injured and is an easier target for you than the chick which is assuredly extremely close to you at the moment.
You may never see that chick, but this kind of extreme behavior is often reserved for the predator they couldn’t distract any other way. Look at the sand to see if you can see the chick and walk away from it immediately. If you can’t see the chick, make sure your exit path doesn’t include stepping on eggs or chicks.
Our beaches are great places to have fun in the summer. Enjoy them, but be respectful of the birds sharing the sand and surf with you. Many of these shorebirds are in decline and some are endangered. By taking the time to be careful of the birds, who knows what you will see? Maybe a glimpse of an adorable shorebird chick – something you might not have expected! |
