Georgia Beachs - For
the Birds
An American oystercatcher with chick. Photo by Tim Keyes, GADNR
A Wilson Plover chick. Photo provided by GADNR
By Rick Lavender Communications and Outreach Specialist GADNR Wildlife Resources Division
G
eorgia’s beaches are not only vacation hotspots, in spring and summer they’re top spots for nesting shorebirds and seabirds, and for migrating species fueling up for long flights to the Arctic. American oystercatchers, Wilson’s plovers and least terns use sites such as Little Tybee Island, Pelican Spit off Sea Island, Cumberland Island and the southern end of Jekyll Island. Among other species, black Least tern hatchlings. skimmer, royal tern and gull-billed tern also nest on beaches and offshore sandbars. Photo provided by GADNR In nesting areas, human disturbance is a significant threat for these birds, which already face risks from native predators and high spring tides. Adults frightened from a nest will often call loudly and exhibit distraction displays, A least tern feeding her chick. Photo by Tim Keyes, GADNR such as dragging one wing as if it’s broken. Sometimes the birds will dive-bomb people too close to their nest, according to Tim Keyes, a Georgia Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. Pets also can be destructive, killing or scaring birds. Leave dogs at home or keep them on a leash when visiting a beach where dogs are allowed. Owners who let their dogs chase shorebirds can be fined for harassing federally protected species. There are several coastal areas where pets are excluded and owners can be cited for bringing a dog. These sites include the entire beachfront portion of Little Tybee Island, Pelican Spit, Satilla Marsh Island, and St. Catherines Island and Little Egg Island bars. (The bars, Pelican Spit and Brunswick Dredge Island, are also closed to people.) Beach-nesting birds nest above the high-tide line on wide, terraced beach flats or on the edges of dunes, laying eggs in shallow scrapes in the sand from mid-March through July. After hatching, chicks hide on the beach or in the grass. Disturbance by humans or pets can cause adult birds to abandon eggs and chicks, exposing them to extreme heat and predators. Threats are similar for migrating seabirds and shorebirds. The coast provides vital stopover sites for species such as federally threatened red knots flying from South America and the Arctic. Red knots flushed from feeding might not gain the weight needed to survive their more than 9,000-mile migration. BEACH BIRD TIPS “With a little bit of effort and concern, we all can enjoy the How can you help birds when visiting a Georgia beach? beach,” Keyes said. For example, a colony of least terns fledged • Stay in high-traffic areas; birds are less likely to nest where crowds gather. chicks on St. Simons’ popular East Beach last year. A Beach • Walk below the high-tide line or on wet-sand beaches. Stewards program powered by volunteers helps monitor the • Avoid posted nesting sites. seabird colony there. Participants inform the public and ensure • Observe beach birds only from a distance. Back away from any nesting birds that dogs and beach-goers do not enter the roped-off colony. you accidentally disturb. (Anyone interested in becoming a Beach Steward is encouraged to • If you see people disturbing nesting birds, respectfully tell them how their contact Keyes at 912-222-0424.) actions can affect the birds. If they continue, contact DNR’s ranger hotline, As with all migratory bird species, shorebirds and seabirds in (800) 241-4113 or rangerhotline@dnr.ga.gov. Georgia are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. • Leave dogs at home or keep them on a leash when visiting a beach where Some species, such as piping plovers and red knots, have additional they’re allowed. protections under the Endangered Species Act. • Keep house cats indoors, and don’t feed feral cats. Cats often prey on birds. June 2018
Southern Tides Magazine
25
