Sharing the Shore With Western Snowy Plover This Fourth of July Holiday

Western Snowy Plover [Photo by Jess Barger, photo provided by Friends of the Dunes]

Western Snowy Plover [Photo by Jess Barger, photo provided by Friends of the Dunes]

Press release from Friends of the Dune:

Practicing physical distancing has become the “new normal” in social circles, and it is also important for at-risk wildlife species such as western snowy plovers that need space to breed and rear their young.

 

Natural resource managers in Humboldt County are asking residents and visitors to “share the shore” by staying aware of wildlife space needs as they venture on to beaches in increasing numbers during the upcoming July Fourth holiday weekend.

 

For the Pacific coast population of western snowy plovers, March through September is the most important time of year, as birds seek out mates, lay and incubate eggs and then teach their young how to survive on their own.

 

Here are some tips about how you can help #ShareTheShore:

 

  • Respect all areas posted or roped-off for the protection of wildlife.
  • When walking on the beach, stay on the wet hard-packed sand. Avoid the sandy foredunes where plovers return each year to nest and raise their young.
  • If dogs are permitted, observe leash rules, and have your dog stay on the wet hard-packed sand. Keep dogs off-leash (when permitted) under voice command. Don’t let them chase resting shorebirds.
  • Pick up trash and food scraps. Garbage will actually attract predators such as gulls, crows, ravens and skunks to plover nests and chicks. Please dispose of all trash properly.
  • Avoid prolonged picnicking or sunbathing near plover-nesting habitat.
  • Avoid flying kites or other hovering objects near plover-nesting habitat. Kites and other hovering objects will actually scare plovers off their nest as they mistake them for predators flying overhead.
  • If vehicles are permitted, drive low and slow, staying on the hard-packed sand below or near the high tide line and at a slow speed, not exceeding 9mph.
  • Please no fireworks. Fireworks scare plovers and can cause them to abandon their nest or separate adult plovers from their young chicks.

Beach activities may be limited to certain areas during this critical nesting time, March through September along the North Coast, to balance recreational opportunities and wildlife protection. You can do your part by knowing AND adhering to location-specific rules and regulations for the benefit of all who visit our shores.

“This year it is vitally important to our health and wellbeing that we do come back to nature ‘softly’, and in a way that protects our human and furred loved ones, as well as all the sensitive wildlife that share space along our shore,” said Susie Tharratt of the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office.

For more information on the western snowy plover and local beach rules and regulations, beach access and a user-friendly dog brochure, visit:

https://vimeo.com/184161227

https://www.parks.ca.gov/

https://www.friendsofthedunes.org/resources

https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing/south-humboldt-bay-%26-ocean-beach-access/532/

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15 Comments
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cu2morrow
Guest
cu2morrow
3 years ago

boy, the shit we didn’t know in the sixties and seventies.

Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
3 years ago

No fun allowed! We mean it!

Mike
Guest
Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

Seriously. If you gather in groups grandma dies. If you use fireworks you’ll burn down the state, if you don’t burn down the state you’ll scare the dogs, if the dogs survive the birds won’t. At this point I’m surprised fireworks don’t somehow hurt orphans.

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Ironically, it’s orphans who make the fireworks in China. The circle is complete!

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
3 years ago
Reply to  I like stars

see its all for the children

Connie Dobbs
Guest
Connie Dobbs
3 years ago
Reply to  I like stars

Their little fingers fit so neatly into the machinery, and they weren’t orphans before their parents were “recruited” to work for Apple.

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
3 years ago

physical distancing has become the “new normal”

ha. i dont think so. there are some people that like to virtue signal when people are looking and then as soon as they think no one is looking they go right back to the real normal

Yeah,sure
Guest
Yeah,sure
3 years ago
Reply to  tax payer

And……?

fireworksareboringboomboombabies
Guest
fireworksareboringboomboombabies
3 years ago
Reply to  tax payer

people who are always pointing out “virtue signalling” are they themselves acting high and mighty better. get over yourselves. jeez name calling sooo boring.

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
3 years ago

virtue signalling is an act. virtue signalers is a name

JRB
Guest
JRB
3 years ago
Reply to  tax payer

Have a Great 4th of July!

My neighbors here in Humboldt are very good at social distancing and they wear their masks when they get in groups. They know that herd immunity is a ways off!

They are keeping an eye on Trump to see when he will start wearing his mask. I don’t think Blanche and little Boogie are betting the upcoming apple harvest that it will happen! Stay Safe.

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
3 years ago
Reply to  JRB

if everyone around him is tested then what is the sense in wearing a mask

i dont understand your heard immunity statement. you do know that heard immunity works when everyone gets the illness?

Cy Anse
Guest
Cy Anse
3 years ago
Reply to  tax payer

Or when a vaccine becomes widely available. Herd immunity that is. It’s why things like required MMR vaccines for school kids are largely effective.

Pioneer Stock
Guest
Pioneer Stock
3 years ago
Reply to  Cy Anse

Vaccines are filled with junk. No kids should be subjected to them. With the noxious virus of Marxism rampant in America families should flee to the mountains and raise the kids happy and healthy and properly taught like it was 1899.

Martin
Guest
Martin
3 years ago

With all the fireworks at the beaches last night, I am sure the Snowy Plovers had a front row nest. Wonder how many left their nests because of the fireworks, and will not come back? Seems most people don’t care to follow the rules, and just do what they please!