What is a Piping Plover? foxes) who, in turn will prey on the birds. What can you do? Lend A Hand! Pick-up trash. The piping plover is a small, sand-colored As hard as we try, Suffolk County Parks Thank you. bird, similar to a sandpiper. Adult plovers cannot protect the Piping Plover alone. Your have yellow-orange legs, a black band across Behavior assistance is essential if we are to be the forehead and a black ring around the base Piping Plovers return to Long Island in successful. By observing a few rules, you can of the neck. They run with short starts and March. After establishing territories and not only protect these birds, but ensure stops, often near the water’s edge. When still, courting, a pair will form a nest (usually a future recreational opportunities as well. their color allows them to blend into the depression in the sand), sometimes, lined √ Watch for and avoid “Restricted Areas.” surrounding outer beach environment. This with shells or pebbles. Typically four eggs These areas are delineated with string or camouflage not only hides them from are laid and usually hatch around 25 days snow fence. When near these areas, walk predators, but also makes them less visible to later. Following their parents, chicks will along the water’s edge, DO NOT LOITER. walkers or people in vehicles. They are feed along the shoreline. Chicks fly in 30 named for their sad sounding, bell-like days. If a nest fails , plovers may renest. The √ Do not approach or linger near birds or whistles, which are often heard before the sooner the birds nest successfully, the sooner nests. fences can be removed and the beaches birds are seen. √ Keep pets leashed, under control and re-opened. Adult birds which appear injured away from fenced areas. Threats are likely using their “broken-wing” display Several factors have contributed to the (see picture below) to lure you from their √ If you carry it in, carry it out. Keep beaches decline of the Piping Plover along the Atlantic nest. If you see this, immediately walk clean of all trash. towards the water. coast: √ If vehicles are allowed, DRIVE VERY Loss of Habitat - Development of our beach SLOWLY. Steer clear of fenced areas and areas for commercial, residential, and watch carefully for presence of birds or recreational use has resulted in decreasing nests. coastal habitats for plovers. √ Do not drive vehicles in areas posted “No Disturbance - Plovers, eggs and their young Vehicles Allowed”. There may be are so well camouflaged to protect themselves un-fledged chicks (chicks that cannot fly) against predators (such as gulls, crows and in the area. foxes) that they are in danger of being What if I see a Plover? disturbed or stepped on by humans. From a vehicle, plovers are even less likely to be Watch Your Step! If you see a Piping Plover simply back seen. Suffolk County Parks IS Helping! away from the area. Try not to disturb the Due to declining population, the Piping birds or nests in any way. If they continue Pets - Unleashed and unattended pets may Plover is listed as threatened and protected “peeping”, you are too close. harass birds. Even well-behaved pets walking under the Endangered Species Act. close to fenced areas will disturb plovers, and Notify park personnel if you spot birds may even cause nest abandonment. Suffolk County Parks through its in an area not identified as a restricted area. Remember, if you bring a pet to a park, they Endangered Species Protection Program is If you see birds, or nesting areas being must be on a leash no more than 6’ in length working to protect nesting areas and birds. harassed, or disturbed by others, notify park and under an owner’s control at all times. Park Plover monitors locate nests and personnel immediately, or call Park Police at Keep them away from nesting areas install fences and signs near nesting areas. In (631) 854-1422 or 911. addition, we offer literature to educate our Trash - Attracts predators (gulls, crows, and beachgoers. Beach Information HELP THE For up-to-date information on beach conditions (closures, vehicle restrictions and piping plover information), visit our website at PIPING PLOVERS! www.suffolkcountyny.gov/parks. The Parks Department reserves the right to The Suffolk County Department of Parks prohibit vehicle use on portions of County Recreation and Conservation manages over 48,000 beaches or to close beaches completely due to acres of parkland. Each park facility provides a changes in beach conditions from natural variety of recreational opportunities and its own occurrences (storms, tides, etc.) or maintenance unique setting for all to enjoy. (jetty repairs, dredging etc.) or for best In addition to developing and maintaining the management of its lands and natural resources. parks for public use, the Department is also responsible for recommending, instituting and For More Information Contact: implementing programs to preserve the greenery, Suffolk County Parks wildlife, natural resources and habitats of fish, birds P.O. Box 144 and other animals. While every effort is made to provide complete access for park visitors, the Parks West Sayville, NY 11796-0144 Department must sometimes close portions of (631) 854-4949 beaches due to beach conditions or for the best management of the lands and natural resources. Suffolk County When this occurs, proper notification will be posted Piping Plover Sites at the parks and daily updates will be provided on ❃ the Park Department’s page of the County’s web site Theodore Roosevelt County Park - Montauk at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/parks. ❃ Ram Island County Park - Shelter Island ❃ Cedar Point County Park - East Hampton ❃ Northwest Harbor County Park - East Hampton ❃ Clam Island County Park - Noyac DISCOVER YOUR ❃ Shinnecock East County Park - Southampton SUFFOLK COUNTY ❃ Meschutt Beach County Park - Hampton Bays PARKS ❃ Charles F. Altenkirch County Park - Hampton Bays ❃ Peconic Dunes County Park - Peconic Emergencies Call 911 ❃ Goldsmith Inlet County Park - Peconic ❃ Cedar Beach County Park - Southold ❃ Cupsogue Beach County Park - STEVEN BELLONE Westhampton ❃ Smith Point County Park - Shirley SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE ❃ McAllister County Park - Belle Terre ❃ Old Field County Park - Old Field ❃ Roe Avenue County Park - East Patchogue 43-0278p 2/12ry ❃ Hubbard County Park, Flanders