The summer of 2020 was an especially challenging season for beach-nesting birds. Because beaches were one of the few places that people could safely go, the crowds at some nesting sites in early May were akin to a hot July day! Unfortunately, more people enjoying the beach equated to more disturbance. In addition, because setting up the exclosures that project Piping Plover nests from predators required Wildlife Division staff and partners to get closer than six feet exclosing the first round of nests was not possible. As a result, Piping Plover productivity fell to just one fledgling per pair, the lowest level in more than twenty years.
On May 12, Audubon Connecticut Director of Bird Conservation, Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe, will share her knowledge about our beach-nesting birds species and tips for visiting the beach this summer without causing unnecessary disturbance. With a little guidance, people and birds can Share the Shore!