Calling All Plover Lovers!

[jennifer murray (Turtleback EEC)]

Good Afternoon, North Fork Birders!

I hope this email finds you safe and warm. 

We are seeking birders with experience monitoring Piping Plovers to assist with the upcoming shorebird season.  We also welcome all levels of birders who wish to get involved in this important conservation effort.

There are a few ways for our local birding community to help:

• Become a Mentor for a new steward. Teach the individual how to identify and observe shorebirds from a distance (Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, Common Terns, plus migratory shorebirds if the opportunity presents itself). 

As many of you already know, the Piping Plover can be a difficult bird to spot for any level birder. Newcomers to this town-wide volunteer effort often have trouble spotting plovers in the field. It can take a few seasons to acquire an adept eye for Piping Plover monitoring. 

• Become a Shorebird Steward - even if it is once a week for 15-30 minutes. We need more volunteers as we increase the number of fenced sites this season for American Oystercatchers, Least Terns and Piping Plovers. Stewards may choose a site near home. 

• Search for unprotected shorebirds by walking stretches of shoreline (or scanning by boat) that are suitable habitat for Piping Plovers, Oystercarchers, Least Terns. If you are out birding and find a nesting Piping Plover pair that is not protected, please contact me directly ASAP at the number below and delay posting on eBird (or hide the report), thank you! 

• Fill a Data Gap - The American Oystercatcher's response to a changing environment is nesting on marsh islands within creeks. This adaptation places them out of view from regular monitoring circuits. We will have a reporting form available for the public, with a focus on reaching the boating community. 

If interested in helping out in any way, including installing symbolic fencing, carpentry or outreach, please respond to this post or email northfork...@gmail.com. 

Thank you! 

Jennifer Murray

Shorebird Manager 

Southold Beach Dependent Species Program

631-520-1528 (mobile)