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Contact: Sally Montgomery Audubon 212/979-3027 smontgomery@audubon.org

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY’S HOLIDAY TIPS FOR HAVING FUN WHILE PROTECTING SHOREBIRDS

June 29, 2006, New York, NY — Fourth of July weekend is a call to the coast for boating, beach parties and water sports, but it can also mean disaster for shorebirds in states like Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. To help people enjoy the holiday and avoid disturbing our feathered friends, the National Audubon Society encourages beachgoers to take a few easy precautions. Shorebirds use our beaches for nesting, resting and feeding, and include families like sandpipers, as well as their tern and gull allies. Their beach-toned plumages of white, gray and tan afford them critical camouflage protection from natural predators and make them well suited to life in a habitat of extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, their camouflage works on beachgoers too who inadvertently disturb the birds. The crush of people drawn to the coasts for the holiday, which is the second most popular boating day of the year, can spell imminent doom to nesting shorebirds. Human disturbance flushes shorebirds off their nests, leaving their eggs to cook in the hot sun in mere minutes. Solitary nesting species like Plovers are often unnoticed and many colonial nesters, including Terns, are apparent only because their colonies are roped off by officials to help limit disturbance. "Most people would be appalled if they realized their innocent recreation resulted in the failure of even just one nest," says Scott Hecker, Director of Coastal Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society. "That’s why we think it’s important that people learn of the unintended consequences of some of these actions. So we can ensure the birds will be there through many Fourth of July celebrations to come." Few things are more beautiful than a flock of birds, rising in unison. Unfortunately, these flights, when caused by disturbance during nesting season, can spell disaster for eggs and chicks left on the ground. "Most people think a mother bird is incubating her eggs to keep them warm," says David Anderson, Executive Director of Audubon of Florida. "With shorebirds in places like Florida and Texas, the parent is actually providing shade to eggs and chicks during the day. A single significant disturbance can destroy an entire colony." Beachgoers can take a few easy precautions to protect nesting and feeding shorebirds: • When walking along the beach, avoid the temptation to flush groups of birds. They may be resting, feeding, or incubating eggs. Either way, by giving them a wide berth, you’ll be sure your actions don’t have deadly consequences for eggs or chicks. • Similarly, obey leash laws and restrict your dog from flushing birds. Even in areas where there do not appear to be groups of shorebirds, remember solitary nesters may be camouflaged with the beach. • Respect posted nesting areas, which may be roped off to prevent disturbance. Officials don’t usually rope off solitary beach nesters, only colonies where a single disturbance can affect hundreds or thousands of birds and their nests. While these areas can sometimes be an inconvenience, they are only temporary. Later in the summer, the birds and their chicks will be gone, and so will the signs restricting your access. • In those few remaining places where beach driving is allowed, take extra care to be aware of birds on the beach. Moving faster than a pedestrian and being further removed from the sights and sounds of the beach inside a vehicle, you’re more likely to overlook birds that you may be disturbing. Furthermore, chicks often take shelter in the depression of tire tracks in the sand. Keep a sharp eye out for little ones frozen in your path. For more information about Audubon’s Coastal Bird Conservation Program, please visit http://www.audubon.org/bird/pdf/CoastalBirdConservation.pdf.

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.

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