Submitted by the American Bird Conservatory

Memorial Day in the U.S. marks the unofficial end of spring bird migration and beginning of summer. While millions of people flock to beaches and parks with rivers or lakes for recreation, many shorebirds like the Least Tern, Piping Plover, Snowy Plover, Wilson's Plover, and Black Skimmers have begun to nest and raise their young along the shore.

Long before people were using beaches for various forms of recreation, they were productive nesting areas for generations of shorebirds along with other types of wildlife.

With many shorebird species in decline, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has the following tips for mindful beachgoers.

Tips to Share the Beach and Help Coastal Birds

• Watch where you step. Beach-nesting birds lay their eggs directly on the sand, and those eggs are camouflaged to blend in with their surroundings. ABC recommends that beachgoers avoid areas where large congregations of birds occur. Disturbed parent birds can be distracted from taking care of their chicks or abandon their nests altogether.

• Pay attention to signs. Visitors should respect areas that are roped off or marked with signs. Eggs and chicks risk being trampled underfoot or run over by vehicles. Young birds can overheat or fall victim to predators when they are flushed from their nests and foraging areas. Encourage children to watch out for birds and ask them to play a safe distance away. This could be a fun opportunity to teach them about unique birds and other wildlife.

• Pick up plastic. Birds can fall victim to plastic pollution when they accidentally ingest it or become tangled in it. To cut down on plastic at the beach, discard fishing line appropriately, properly dispose of your plastic bottles and containers, and pick up any litter you find along the shore.

• Don't feed gulls. Gulls like the Ring-billed and Laughing Gull are observant opportunists, and feeding them will soon draw in even more of these seaside scavengers. That's bad news for shorebirds, because gulls are after more than just your french fries — they will also eat eggs and vulnerable chicks on the ground when given the chance. Human food is also a choking hazard and lower in nutrients than gulls' natural diet; eating it can make them more susceptible to disease.

• Keep your dogs on leashes — or at home. Free-roaming dogs mimic natural predators in the eyes of a bird, causing stress and even direct harm to nests, chicks, and adult birds. Dogs can also overheat and/or become dehydrated at the beach, so for their safety as well as that of the birds, consider keeping them at home.

• Know the cues. Certain signals and behaviors indicate the presence of nesting birds. Nesting birds will often call loudly, dive-bomb perceived intruders, or fake injury to lead you away from the nest. If you see any of these behaviors, move away from the birds until they no longer seem agitated.

• Stay close to the water. Most nesting birds tend to use higher parts of the beach, away from the surf. It should be possible to avoid conflict with beach nesters so long as people remain close to the water and away from the dunes or areas behind dunes.

• Bonus: join a beach cleanup! ABC helps run a Gulf Coast initiative called SPLASh (Stopping Plastics and Litter along Shorelines) that organizes regular coastal cleanups to remove beach litter and gather data to better understand how trash impacts wildlife in the Galveston Bay watershed. Since it began 5 years ago, nearly 24,000 volunteers and over 8,600 students helped remove over 55,000 pounds of coastal trash. If you live in the area, sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about planned cleanups, or look for similar beach cleanups near you.

Different regions have different species nesting on the beaches, but many have similar behaviors and reactions to being disturbed. Knowing what you might encounter will help you avoid harming the birds, and it can make your beach trip even more fun. Here are some notable beach-nesting birds in four regions of the United States

Birds of the Gulf Coast

During early summer, Least Terns and Black Skimmers nest in colonies along the Gulf Coast. Wilson's and Snowy Plovers maintain single-pair territories, but can often be found within Least Tern colonies. American Oystercatchers tend to be more spread out and favor both beach habitat and islands covered with oyster shells (especially along the upper coast of Texas).

Birds of the Atlantic Coast

Federally Threatened Piping Plovers can be found on Atlantic Coast beaches extending from North Carolina to Maine. They are especially concentrated along the northeastern coast, notably along the beaches of Long Island, New York, and the southern Delmarva Peninsula. Other species you might encounter include the Least Tern, Black Skimmer, American Oystercatcher, and Wilson's Plover, along with Threatened Red Knots feeding on protein-rich horseshoe crab eggs in the Delaware Bay, as they travel long-distance northward to breed in the central Canadian Arctic.

Birds of the Pacific Coast

Western beaches host populations of the federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover, Endangered California Least Tern, and the Black Oystercatcher, which is more frequently found on rocky rather than sandy beaches. While the terns tend to be colonial in their nesting habits, the plovers are more spread out, often favoring sites where rivers enter the ocean.

Birds of the Great Lakes

Inland beaches are also crucial habitats for shorebirds, and the Great Lakes area shouldn't be overlooked. Federally Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers are making a comeback and expanding their range to include historic nesting areas, including places like Illinois and Ohio. Other shorebird species, such as the Killdeer, also rely on these areas.

For more bird-friendly tips, visit abcbirds.org.

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) takes bold action to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, we achieve lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet's fragile climate. Our every action is underpinned by science, strengthened by partnerships, and rooted in the belief that diverse perspectives yield stronger results. Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1994, ABC remains committed to safeguarding birds for generations to come. 

Photo: Red Knots and other shorebirds. Photo by Michael J Parr