Shorebirds

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Shorebird Nest Protection

The North Inlet – Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Reserve), in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has erected signs within the Reserve on dune, beach and high sand-shell property to protect shorebird nests. Due to the sensitive nature of the colonies, areas behind bird nesting signs are closed from April 1-October 15 each year providing sufficient time for the chicks to fledge. Nests will be protected until mid-October after the chicks have fledged. Warning signs are bright orange. Rope and flagging tape between signs delineate the boundary of protection.

Protected Species

Shorebird nesting in South Carolina begins in early April and many species nest on the Reserve. Some of these nesting birds include American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), least tern (Sterna antillarum) or Wilson’s plover (Charadrius wilsonia), and Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus). These species nest in habitats such as beachfronts, shell mounds, and marsh or spoil islands.

Conservation

Numbers of shorebirds have declined over the years due to loss of suitable beach nesting habitat, depredation of eggs by an increased number of predators such as raccoons, over-wash of nests by boat wakes and nest abandonment resulting from human disturbance at nesting sites. Indeed, the eastern race of the American oystercatcher has been identified as an “extremely high priority” shorebird by the Working Group for the Southeastern Coastal Plain as part of the United States Shorebird Conservation Plan, and SCDNR has developed an active conservation program to protect this species. The least tern and Wilson’s plover are currently threatened in South Carolina and all four species discussed here are considered a priority under the South Carolina State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Avoid walking through bird nesting areas
Keep pets away from nesting areas
Stay back from dunes during nesting season
Do not cross over bird nesting warning signs and barriers
During the July 4th weekend do not set off fireworks on beaches and dunes; be especially careful to keep away from the nesting areas, and avoid close contact with the nesting birds
Learn more about nesting habitat and shorebird behavior

Some birds will be nesting outside of the protected area……If you notice a bird making a fuss over you, chances are you are near its nest or young. Be careful where you walk and keep moving until you are out of the bird’s territory.

We appreciate all your efforts to protect these valuable species