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Press Releases

Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333


Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

July 2, 2009

July 4th Weekend: Critical Time for Beachgoers to Help Assure Endangered Birds Survive

Augusta, Maine - As the summer rush of beachgoers begins this holiday weekend the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, and Maine Audubon would like to remind people to be considerate of fellow beachgoers: piping plovers and least terns.

The piping plover is federally listed as threatened and both species are on Maine’s endangered species list. Piping plover and least tern nest and raise their chicks on Maine beaches, with June through August being the critical nesting and chick rearing period for these rare birds. Unfortunately, this also is the busiest time at Maine’s beaches.

Even under natural conditions the summer nesting season is a challenging time: the rigors of coastal storms and predators take there toll. Currently our 26 piping plover pairs are at various stages of nesting, and this Fourth of July weekend is a critical time for these birds. Beaches can be crowded with visitors at a time when plover and tern families are exceptionally vulnerable to disturbance from people and their pets, resulting in nesting failure and the death of plover chicks. Plover and tern chicks are capable of roaming large areas of beach, away from protected nesting areas, depending on constant vigilance from their parents for protection.

This year, the Maine Warden Service will patrol beaches in southern Maine throughout the holiday weekend to ensure a safe holiday for beach visitors and the endangered species that make their home on our beautiful beaches. Game Wardens will patrol beaches from Ogunquit to Scarborough to make sure that beach visitors are respectful of the piping plover nesting areas and keep dogs on leashes and away from nesting areas.

Everyone can do his or her part to make the Fourth of July holiday enjoyable and safe for ALL beach residents.

You can help assure the survival of these remarkable birds by observing these simple guidelines:

Steer clear of nesting areas. These areas are fenced with stake and twine and posted with “Restricted Area” signs. Enjoy these beautiful birds from a distance by using binoculars.

Keep pets off the beach or leashed from mid April to mid September. Plovers and terns perceive even leashed dogs as potential predators and may abandon their nest or young when approached.

Fly kites well away from nesting areas. Plovers and terns mistake kites for hawks and leave their nests to ward off the “intruders.”

Take your trash and food scraps with you when you leave the beach for the day. Garbage attracts gulls, foxes, raccoons, and skunks which prey on plover and tern eggs and young.

Call your local police department or the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to report harassment of birds by people or dogs.

Currently plovers and/or terns are nesting on: Wells Beach, Ogunquit Beach, Crescent Surf Beach in Kennebunk, Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Goosefare Brook in Saco, Western Beach and Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Seawall Beach in Phippsburg and Reid State Park in Georgetown.