If you ever take a vacation to one of the east coast's many beaches, you may see signs posted outlawing certain beach activities. These signs can be anything from banning fireworks, unleashed dogs, or even visiting the beach all together!
These signs can be disappointing for tourists with a weekend full of fun beach plans scheduled. Nobody wants to have their vacation spoiled, but behind these signs lies a very important conservation strategy.
The Piping Plover is a tiny, sand colored bird native to beaches and marshes on the east coast. These birds are excellent at camouflage, with their coloring and size making them hard for even conservationists to find.
However, this is not the reason that you likely may not have not ever seen one. Though they are beloved for their "cuteness," these are mighty, territorial birds facing mass population decline. Over the last few decades, Piping Plover numbers in Maine have declined rapidly. While steadily increasing in recent years (at around 150 breeding pairs in 2023 compared to 50-60 in 2002,) these numbers are not promising for the longevity of everyone's favorite beach bird.
How did we get here? Is this decline natural for the piping plover, being caused by factors of its ecosystem? Or is it the result of human intervention? Conservationists say that increased beach development is likely to blame for the degradation of the bird's population.
When you take a bird that is only known to populate in one sort of environment and start building on top of it, it's no surprise that you start seeing its numbers decrease. Many of Maine's beaches are developed, leaving few undisturbed beaches left in the state. While great for tourism in the state, this beachfront development spells disaster for the Piping Plover.
"Over two-thirds of Maine's 30 miles of beaches have been lost as nesting habitat for Piping Plovers," Maine government officials say.
While we have to face the unfortunate news that human intervention is once again responsible for population degradation of a beloved species, that doesn't mean we are helpless in the fight to save the Piping Plover. Conservation methods have been implemented in Maine and seem to be having an effect as shown by the rising population numbers in Maine over recent years.
To help in the fight to remove the Piping Plover's endangered status, Maine conservationists recommend several mindful practices when visiting Piping Plover habitats. For one, minding any signs posted outlawing beach behavior, such as dune traversing, picnicking, surfing, etc. The construction of these signs are pushed by conservationists with the longevity of species like the Piping Plover in mind. Conservationists also recommend keeping animals on-leash or off beaches entirely during plover mating season (April through August) even if signs are not posted recommending doing so.
Finally, one of the most crucial pieces of advice offered by conservationists is to not, under any circumstances, approach nesting Piping Plovers. These birds can and do flee when frightened, often becoming displaced and losing sight of their nests. It is also easy to step on these small birds, so conservationists recommend staying away from them entirely.
Ultimately, while rising plover population numbers in Maine is cause for celebration, it begs the question: Why have the lives of the plover population been put in the hands of caring civilians and conservationists, while the main causes of the Piping Plover's downfall are not forced to change their ways? Maine beachfront development has not halted, with the closest thing to regulation being a proposal to consider halting beachfront development to be considered next year. While we can do everything we can to ensure the protection of Maine's endangered species, if the main causes of population endangerment (climate change, pollution, urbanization) are not halted or lessened, our efforts may be for naught.