News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
May 19, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Allison Briggaman: (603) 271-0463 
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
May 19, 2005


HELP PROTECT PIPING PLOVERS ON N.H. SEACOAST 

CONCORD, N.H. -- Residents and visitors are being urged to help protect 
the state-endangered and federally threatened piping plovers nesting on 
New Hampshire's seacoast. To protect the birds, the New Hampshire Fish 
and Game Department has set up fencing along the beaches and posted 
signs near piping plover breeding areas. The fencing will remain in place 
until all chicks have fledged or have left the beach for wintering 
areas. These measures help provide the birds with space free from 
disturbance by humans and predators, where the plovers can perform courtship and 
mating and establish nests. 

In addition to fencing measures, mechanical cleaning or beach raking 
will be temporarily restricted in areas where piping plover chicks are 
present (typically during parts of June and July). This is important 
because the wrack, or seaweed, that washes ashore provides a vital food 
source to young chicks, and motorized vehicles can crush eggs and young 
birds. 

"We appreciate the public's patience, cooperation and understanding of 
the need to respect nesting areas and avoid beach raking during a 
critical time for the plovers," said John Kanter, coordinator of Fish and 
Game's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. "Together, we're helping 
to give an endangered species a chance for survival." 

Last year, four pairs of piping plovers nested at Seabrook Town Beach 
and Hampton Beach State Park, fledging four chicks. In 2003, seven pairs 
of plovers fledged seven chicks. Since protection efforts began in 
1996, more than 70 chicks have fledged from New Hampshire's seacoast. 

Piping plovers are small shorebirds that are sand-colored on top and 
white underneath. They can be distinguished from other shorebirds by a 
black band across the forehead, a black band around the neck and bright 
orange legs. 

Piping plover nests are simply small scrapes or depressions in the sand 
and typically contain three or four eggs. When the chicks hatch, they 
are tiny and look like cottonball bodies on toothpick legs. Piping 
plover chicks can walk and eat within hours after hatching, but they are 
unable to fly for the first 30 days of life. During this time, they are 
extremely vulnerable to predators like gulls, crows, cats, foxes and 
skunks. They are also susceptible to being stepped on by dogs or people 
unaware of their presence. 

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP PROTECT PIPING PLOVERS: 

   1. Respect signs and fences around nesting areas. 
   2. Be a responsible pet owner - walk dogs in areas where piping 
plovers are not present and keep cats indoors. Dogs can chase plovers and 
step on eggs and chicks, killing them. Cats are a major predator of many 
types of birds, including piping plovers. 
   3. Fill in holes on the beach. Piping plover chicks can fall in and 
become trapped. 
   4. Fly kites a safe distance away from plovers. 
   5. Don't approach or linger near piping plovers or their nests. 
   6. Teach children safe viewing and respect for wildlife. 
   7. Obey local fireworks laws. Fireworks stress adult piping plovers 
and their chicks and can cause accidental fires that destroy dune 
vegetation.
   8. Pick up trash and food on the beach. Garbage attracts predators, 
such as gulls and crows, which prey on plover eggs, chicks and 
sometimes adults. 
   9. Report observations. Report vehicle use, unlawful fireworks, 
off-leash dogs or vandalism to your local police department. 
  10. Volunteer! If you enjoy watching birds and want to help protect 
the piping plovers, call New Hampshire Fish and Game at (603) 271-2461. 

Protection of this endangered species is a cooperative effort of the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, N.H. Fish and Game, N.H. Parks and 
Recreation, the Town of Seabrook, the Town of Hampton, volunteers, local 
residents and beach visitors. 

For more information on piping plovers, visit the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife website at http://plover.fws.gov. 

For more on New Hampshire Fish and Game's Nongame and Endangered 
Wildlife Program, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/nongame_and_endangered_wildlife.htm.

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Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.