The nesting season for the western snowy plover, a small shorebird that lays its eggs and raises its young in the open dry sand, began on area beaches March 15 and runs through September 15. Some area beaches have access and recreational restrictions in place during this time to help protect the nests, eggs and chicks of these threatened birds. After March 15, signs and ropes will mark snowy plover nesting areas. In the nesting areas, beachgoers will only have access to the wet sand portion of the beach – dry sand access will be closed. ATV use, dog walking and kite flying is also restricted on the wet sand on some beaches. The dry sand closures will be in effect at Bureau of Land Management sites at New River and the North Spit of Coos Bay. The US Forest Service, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Army Corps of Engineers manage additional western snowy plover nesting areas in Oregon. In total, the access restrictions affect approximately 18 miles of beach in Oregon. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover as threatened in 1993. The primary threats to snowy plover survival are habitat loss, urban development, European beachgrass introduction, and predators such as crows, ravens, foxes and skunks. More information on the BLM beach restrictions can be obtained from the Coos Bay District Office at 541-756-0100. Visit http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/WesternSnowyPlover/default.asp to learn more about the western snowy plover.
