Beach-Nesting Birds

Dwindling shorebird populations have landed several species on Delaware’s Endangered Species List. The DNREC Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the endangered breeding shorebirds, provides habitat protection, and provides information to the public about beach-nesting species.

The Beach-Nesting Bird Program primarily focuses on three species — Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers and Least Terns. All three of these species have historically nested on Delaware’s beaches and are listed as “state endangered.”

The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park is closed from March through September each year to protect these vulnerable species.

Contact Us

Kat Christie
deshorebirds@delaware.gov
302-735-3612

Piping Plovers

American Oystercatchers

Least Terns

Threats to Beach-Nesting Birds

A circular enclosure of chicken wire and netting set up on a beach. — A wire-fence exclosure protects a beach nest area from mammalian and avian predators. (Photo: Casey Hitchens)

These three state-endangered species face a lot of similar threats. These include:

Predation from Natural and Introduced Predators

There are many predators that limit the number of chicks that make it to adulthood. Predators of nests and chicks include red foxes, gulls, ghost crabs and crows.

Predation is a normal ecological process, however, if predator populations become artificially inflated, it can have dire effects on beach-nesting species.

To minimize nest predation, DNREC uses nest exclosures to protect the vulnerable eggs of nesting pairs. To protect large colonies of birds — more than one nesting pair — DNREC uses electrified fences.

Human-related Disturbance

A close-up of a tiny bird and tiny eggs nearly indistinguishable from the sand in which they are laid. — A freshly hatched plover chick and two unhatched eggs in a nest. (Photo: Julie McCall)

Human disturbance can have unintended consequences for beach-nesting birds. Beach-nesting birds and their eggs are camouflaged with the sandy beaches, making them difficult to spot. People walking by may not even notice eggs, which are found directly on the sand, or flightless chicks and possibly step on them.

Beach-goers, vehicles, boats and dogs can inadvertently scare birds resulting in abandonment or loss of eggs and chicks.

To minimize this the Point at Cape Henlopen State Park is closed annually from March through September. These closures are important in providing a safe and disturbance-free area for the birds to nest.

Habitat Degradation or Loss

Increasing pollution, beach recreation, development, vegetation changes and sand loss result in reduced suitable habitat for beach-nesting birds. Protecting Delaware’s nesting habitat directly promotes the protection of these beach-nesting species.

Currently, the only two beaches closed for the breeding season, The Point and Fowler Beach, are the only two beaches in Delaware that have breeding beach-nesting birds. These birds select the habitat that is most suitable for success — large, open, sandy beaches with limited human development.

Many beaches that had once been suitable for these birds, like Delaware Seashore State Park and Fenwick Island State Park, have lost what would make them suitable for nesting. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program is dedicated to protecting and managing the habitat that these birds need to succeed.

Climate Change

The Atlantic Coast is expected to see an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms, due to climate change. In recent years, storm activity has flooded or buried nests in May. This means breeding pairs have to start over and exert more energy in order to hatch chicks.

Be Aware and Be Careful

If you aren’t able to volunteer, you can follow some specific steps to enjoy the beach and share it with piping plovers and their chicks.

A large red sign reads: Area Close, to protect rare species and sensitive habitats. Vessels vehicles and pedestrians prohibited. Access to beach and dunes prohibited. — Signs posted at the Point of Cape Henlopen State Park. (Photo: DNREC Staff)

Please walk close to the water on the lower beach, so travel-weary birds can rest on the upper beach.

Birdwatching can be a great way to pass the time and maintain wellness. Keep your distance so the birds feel safe.

Where pets are permitted on the beach, please keep them leashed and away from birds.

Remove trash and food scraps which attract animals that might eat piping plovers and their eggs.

Do not feed animals on or near the beach.

Follow all other guidance on signs, and respect all areas fenced or posted for protection of wildlife. Your actions can benefit sea turtles, terns, American oystercatchers, and black skimmers, among other animals.

For more information, please visit the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative’s website.

A biologist stands next to a spotter scope amid dunes and overlooking the ocean and beach. — DNREC staff conducting a survey at the Point of Cape Henlopen for endangered beach-nesting birds. (Photo: Jessica McNulty)

You Can Help!

To ensure continued breeding success, DNREC depends on volunteers to help inform the public about the breeding progress of the plovers and the importance of staying out of closed areas.

Trespassers can cause adults to leave nests, exposing the eggs to sand temperatures of up to 120 degrees on a hot day, and can interrupt feeding efforts of adults and chicks. Well-fed, healthy birds have the best chance of survival and reproduction.

Volunteers who educate the beach-going public can help to prevent disturbance to plover adults and chicks.

Volunteers should be able to walk to monitoring stations on the beach, which can be as far as a half mile from parking areas. They will be trained to interact with the public and answer Piping Plover questions.

To volunteer, complete the piping plover volunteer form. For more information, contact Kat Christie, Coastal Avian Biologist, at 302-735-3612 or deshorebirds@delaware.gov.