Beach-nesting Birds on BHI
By Allison Polinski, Coastal Scientist
Protective signage indicating shorebird nesting area.
Shorebird nesting season runs from April 1st to August 31st, and it is important to “share the shore” during this time. While walking the beach, you may have noticed signs designating bird nesting areas. Shorebirds nest directly on the sand, and their eggs are camouflaged well, so it is important to stay out of these areas to give them plenty of space to incubate their eggs. Bald Head Island Conservancy assists state management agencies with the protection of nesting areas for species of conservation concern. This year, we are fortunate to have two species of nesting shorebirds!
Least Tern
Can you spot the Least Tern eggs?
Least Terns are colonial nesting birds, meaning they typically nest in large groups. They lay 1-3 eggs that incubate for 19-25 days. Least Terns are the smallest of all the American tern species, but they ferociously defend their nest! When a threat approaches, the group defends their nests by calling, diving, swooping, and defecating to scare away the danger.
Wilson’s Plover
Wilson’s Plover eggs.
Wilson’s Plovers nest in isolated pairs or loose colonies of a few pairs. They typically lay 3 eggs that are incubated for around 25 days. They sometimes exhibit a “broken wing display” in order to protect their nest and young: when a threat approaches, the parent runs the other way and acts like it has a broken wing to lure predators away from its nest.
Both species face habitat loss and degradation due to beachfront development of their preferred nesting sites. Disturbance from human activity, predation, and flooding are also threats to both species’ nesting success.
What can you do to help nesting shorebirds?
- Stay out of the roped areas and give birds plenty of space to nest. If a bird is having a reaction to your presence (calling loudly, diving, running away), then you are too close.
- Keep dogs on leash and away from birds.
- Watch your step – shorebirds nest directly on the sand and may nest outside of designated areas.
- Call our Wildlife Hotline (910)-457-0089 x5 if you find a nest outside of the designated area. Do not pick up any eggs, chicks, or birds.
