The coastal birds in Massachusetts are getting ready for the season on the local beaches. Even though it’s not quite time for beach lovers to hit the sand with their towels and umbrellas, the cute and iconic piping plovers are already claiming their spot in the sand. These birds are settling in for their nesting season, and wildlife officials are taking action to protect them.
Protected areas are being set up on the beaches to keep the piping plovers safe from human interference while they raise their young. Signs warning the public about the protected zones are posted, and ropes are often used to block off the area. If you decide to wander into one of these protected areas, you might end up with a fine or even some time in jail. That’s because the piping plover is still considered a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and state trespassing laws.
Although the piping plover population is on the mend in Massachusetts, they are still listed as a threatened species on both state and federal endangered species lists. Thanks to efforts from organizations like Mass Audubon, these birds are slowly making a comeback in the state. Nesting usually begins between March and April in Massachusetts, with most piping plovers returning to the same nesting and wintering spots each year.
Massachusetts boasts the largest breeding population of piping plovers along the Atlantic coast, with 1,196 nesting pairs counted in 2024. This number marks a 1.5 percent increase from the previous year and a whopping 500 percent increase since protection efforts began in 1986. The birds are definitely making progress!
As a freelance writer for Boston.com, Morgan Rousseau covers a range of local and regional news stories. Stay informed by signing up for the Today newsletter, which will deliver all the important news you need to start your day directly to your inbox every morning. Happy reading!
