Learn how you can help protect Delaware’s beach-nesting birds, including federally-listed threatened piping plovers and state-listed endangered American oystercatchers.

Join in a training session designed to prepare volunteers for the Piping Plover Volunteer Program. Volunteers, stationed on the boundaries of bird nesting areas, explain to beachgoers the importance of closing these nesting areas to prevent human disturbance and to increase the nesting success of the birds.

The training session will begin with a slideshow and light refreshments, followed by a discussion about the monitoring program and how volunteers can help ensure that beach-nesting shorebirds are not disturbed while nesting and rearing their chicks.

Weather and time permitting, the group will go out to the Point at Cape Henlopen to look for piping plovers and other shorebirds likely to be feeding on the tidal flats. Binoculars will be available for use, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own optics if they have them.

Pre-registration for the training is encouraged, but volunteers also will be accepted at the door. Park entrance fees will be waived for volunteers attending the training.

For more information, contact the Delaware shorebirds program at deshorebirds@delaware.gov.