—By Kevin Mullan, Coastal Birds Seasonal Outreach Coordinator; photos by Megan Maher, Marketing Coordinator
As the nation prepares for the 250th anniversary of its independence this Fourth of July, celebrations both large and small are being planned up and down the coast of Maine with games, barbecues, and, of course, fireworks. However, the invitations for one important group seem to have been lost in the mail, as the wildlife in the state remains blissfully unaware of the commotion to come.
For nesting shorebirds like the Piping Plover, the holiday weekend brings a sudden change to their natural habitat. When the birds arrive in the early spring, Maine beaches are quiet, with little human disturbance. Fast forward to early July, and the beaches are now filled with visitors, many of whom are unaware of the impact their activities have on local wildlife.
Many of Maine’s most popular beaches are seeing increased numbers of Piping Plovers this season, including Ogunquit, Wells, and Old Orchard Beach. While this increase in numbers is welcome news, it also means more birds are forced to navigate crowds while they nest and raise their newly hatched chicks. As of June 26, there are more than 247 Piping Plover chicks running around the beaches and 49 active nests. Because they are unable to fly yet, and they blend in so well with their surroundings, these chicks become especially vulnerable to accidental injury and death from human activity.
Adult plovers need to carefully incubate eggs or keep a watchful eye on their chicks as they forage and scurry around the beach. Large crowds and games that are too close for comfort disrupt these vital parental duties by scaring the adults off the nest or separating them from their chicks. This leaves the nest and offspring exposed to the elements and predators. Many predators like gulls and crows will also be coming to the beach in large numbers, attracted by the food and trash humans often leave behind.
And then there are fireworks.
To us, they are a dazzling display of light and sound. But imagine being on the beach with absolutely no context for what a firework is or sounds like. Suddenly there is a prolonged succession of deafening booms and flashing lights. The effect would be startling and distressing. This is the experience for most wildlife on the Fourth of July. The chaos and noise of fireworks cause plover parents to flee from their nests or for chicks to scatter, leaving them confused and vulnerable. Unfortunately, this is not just a hypothetical situation. Each year, we inevitably lose chicks and nests over the holiday weekend due to the disturbance caused by unauthorized fireworks.
That being said, if you are heading to the beach over the holiday weekend, please enjoy it! The beach is a great place to relax, celebrate, and connect with the natural beauty that makes Maine such a special part of this country. But remember that even the busiest tourist beaches are important wildlife habitats. They are fragile ecosystems that Piping Plovers and numerous other species call home.
As you celebrate:
• follow local ordinances (while fireworks are legal in Maine, municipalities are able to create their own ordinances to ban or restrict use and/or sale; you can find a list of towns that prohibit the use and sale of fireworks on the state’s website here);
• pay attention to signage marking nesting bird habitat;
• dispose of trash properly, and
• when it comes to fireworks, leave it to the professionals—for your safety and the safety of our wild neighbors.
