Least Terns are among the variety of terns, skimmers, plovers, oystercatchers, and sandpipers that nest on beaches, islands, and sandbars. Please help protect nesting birds by giving them plenty of space around nesting areas.

As beaches, islands, and sandbars attract people to our beautiful waterfronts, beach visitors and boaters can help make beaches safer for nesting birds by avoiding areas close to their nesting sites. In some locations, signs and fencing is installed that informs people about the presence of sensitive nesting birds, and to give beach nesting birds their space. Shorebirds, skimmers, terns, plovers, oystercatchers, and other species are nesting now and need our help to improve their nesting success.

The nests, eggs, and hatchlings of these birds often blend in with the color of the sand, so please pay special attention when you enter a remote beach. “Social distancing is not just important for people, it’s important that we keep our distance from nesting birds too,” said Karen Hyun, vice president for coastal conservation at the National Audubon Society. “Many coastal bird populations are in steep decline. Through education, monitoring, and conservation, Audubon’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program is key to ensuring that coastal birds can nest safely on our beaches. This year, we’re relying on our coastal communities to do their part to share the shore.”

To read more, go to https://www.audubon.org/news/audubon-urges-beachgoers-give-birds-their-space-too