Beachgoers Warned to Watch for Protective Plovers

To ensure the plovers nesting at the beach can hatch their eggs undisturbed, signage has been erected and beachgoers are being asked to keep their distance.

The piping plover is a small shorebird that can be found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. In Maine, they are a common sight on beaches during the summer months. This year, however, there is a large population of piping plovers nesting on Scarborough Beach.

In order to protect these nests, the Town of Scarborough has put up signage asking people to keep their distance from the plovers and their nests. The birds can be easily disturbed by people walking too close or stepping on their eggs, so it is important for beachgoers to heed the warning and give these little birds some space.

If you are planning on spending time at Scarborough Beach this summer, please be sure to watch for the signs and stay away from any areas where piping plovers are nesting. Thanks for your help in keeping these chicks safe!

Plover Population Rebounding Along the Coast

The plover population is rebounding along the coast, according to a recent study by the American Bird Conservancy.

The study found that the number of piping plovers and semipalmated plovers has increased in recent years, thanks to improved conservation efforts. " The resurgence of these species is something we can all celebrate," said ABC President David O'Neill.

Piping plovers are small shorebirds that nest on beaches and dunes, while semipalmated plovers are medium-sized shorebirds that also nest on beaches. Both species have suffered steep population declines in recent decades, largely due to habitat loss and human disturbance.

The ABC report found that the number of piping plovers has increased from about 2,500 in 2000 to more than 9,500 today. The number of semipalmated plovers has increased from about 12,000 to more than 25,000 over the same period.

Conservationists credit the rebound to a variety of factors, including creation or restoration of nesting habitat, fencing off nests from harassment by humans and predators, and education and outreach programs aimed at reducing human disturbance.

"It's a real success story," said Andrew Farnsworth, a research scientist with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who was not involved in the study. "We're seeing these populations come back not just in a few areas but all along their range."

Beachgoers Encouraged to Learn about Shorebirds

As temperatures rise and summer draws nearer, Marylanders flock to the state's beaches in droves. Many come for the sun and surf, but many also come to see the area's diverse bird life. The Chesapeake Bay is home to more than 300 different bird species, including several shorebird species that can only be found in this region.

Each spring, as the water warms up, thousands of shorebirds migrate to the Chesapeake Bay from their wintering grounds in Central and South America. These birds can be seen at various points along the bay's coastline, but some of the best viewing spots are at Sandy Point State Park, North Beach in Calvert County, and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Shorebirds are an important part of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. They help keep the beach clean by feeding on insects and other small prey, and they also play an important role in coastal ecology by scavenging for food scraps and acting as prey for larger birds and mammals.

Most people enjoy watching shorebirds without knowing anything about them, but if you take a little time to learn about these fascinating creatures, you can appreciate them even more. Here are a few things to know about Maryland's shorebirds:

• Shorebirds can be divided into two groups: waders and gulls. Waders have long legs that allow them to walk through wetlands and shallow water, while gulls are able to fly over both land and water.

• The most common shorebird in Maryland is the American black duck. Other common species include sandpipers, plovers, avocets, egrets, herons, and pelicans.

• Shorebirds typically eat small invertebrates like insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, but they will also eat seeds and berries when they can find them.

• Shorebirds nest on the ground near water bodies like rivers, lakes, marshes, and beaches. They usually lay between four and six eggs per clutch.

• Shorebirds are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation. Wetlands have been disappearing at an alarming rate in recent years due to development and other human activities, which has led to a decline in many shorebird populations.

If you enjoy watching shorebirds at your local beach or wildlife refuge this summer, please take some time to learn about these amazing creatures. Not only will you have a better understanding of what you're seeing, but you'll also be doing your part to help protect these birds for future generations.

Group Works to Restore Plover Habitat in Bay Area

The River Plover is a small shorebird that was once common in the San Francisco Bay Area. The population has declined sharply in recent years, however, and the bird is now listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

In an effort to help restore the River Plover population, a group of local conservation organizations has banded together to create the Bay Area Shorebird Habitat Restoration Initiative. Their goal is to improve the quality and availability of habitat for plovers and other shorebirds in the region.

One of the main goals of the initiative is to increase public awareness of the plight of the River Plover and other coastal birds. In order to do this, they are working with local communities and businesses to identify and address factors that are harming these birds' habitats.

Some of the things they are doing include restoring creek banks, removing invasive plants, and creating salt marsh habitat. They are also working with landowners to create or improve nesting areas for plovers and other shorebirds.

The Bay Area Shorebird Habitat Restoration Initiative is a great example of how local communities can work together to protect vulnerable wildlife species. By working together, they have been able to make significant progress in restoring habitat for River Plovers and other coastal birds in the Bay Area.

Local Residents Asked to Help Protect Endangered Plovers

The piping plover is a federally-protected bird that nests and feeds on the Cumberland County coast. These small, brown birds are in danger of becoming extinct and need our help to survive.

One way that members of the community can help protect these endangered plovers is by keeping their dogs on leashes when walking near the coast. Dogs can disturb the plovers' nests and cause them to abandon their eggs or chicks.

In addition to keeping dogs on leash, locals are also asked to avoid walking on the beaches where the plovers nest and to keep noise levels down. By following these guidelines, we can all do our part in helping to protect these beautiful birds.