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To: Bluedot Living
From: Danielle O'Dell, Nantucket Conservation Foundation
Subject: Some Birding Tips
If you are a birder coming to visit Nantucket (or a local just getting started), you are in for a treat. Nantucket is fabulous for birding in all seasons but with spring and summer on the horizon, the current stars of the show are our rare and endangered shorebirds that nest on our beaches. It turns out the birds love Nantucket beaches as much as the tourists do and over the years, we have all become accustomed to “sharing the shore” with our piping plovers, least terns and American oystercatchers. Fortunately, with over 80 miles of shoreline and undeveloped beach, there is plenty of room for both our birds and beachgoers.
The American oystercatchers and piping plovers are already claiming their territories and have begun to lay eggs despite a somewhat cold and wet spring. They are bright and beautiful in their full breeding plumage. The least, common, and roseate terns began arriving in early May. The best places on island to view all these species are Eel Point and Smith’s Point on the west end, and Great Point and Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge to the north and east. None of these places are particularly easy to access unfortunately, especially once the beaches are closed to driving to protect the birds once the chicks hatch. Remember, unlike most songbirds that remain in their nest until they can fly, these shorebirds are precocial, meaning that just hours after hatching, they start running around under the watchful eye of their parents. This is an especially vulnerable time for these chicks and they can get themselves in trouble. When threatened they tend to hide, often directly in vehicle tracks in the sand. They are virtually impossible to see as they blend in with the sand so well. Walking the beaches quietly and slowly is your best bet to see these birds, or if you have a kayak, paddle board, or boat, a float along the coast on the harbor side of Coatue can offer some amazing views into the lives of our shorebirds.
Nantucket has a long history of inspiring some amazing birders. One of the best ways to interact with and learn from local experienced folks is to join the Sunday morning birding group that caravans to local hotspots. The group is open to anyone and meets at 8 am in the parking lot in front of Nantucket High School. Additionally, the “Birding Nantucket” Facebook page is loaded with extremely knowledgeable “bird nerds” (a term of absolute endearment!) willing to share “bird gossip” and help with ID – if you have a picture of a bird and need help with identification, post to the group and you’ll have an answer in minutes! Many talented photographers often share their amazing images there as well.
For those just getting into birding, I recommend a decent pair of binoculars, a general field guide and the Merlin app on your phone. So often, you’ll hear a bird but not see it, especially if you’re in the forest or in a spot with a dense, shrubby understory that is so common on Nantucket! Using the Merlin app to “listen” to the bird song you’re hearing will help you narrow down the species. The eBird app is also especially useful for tracking your birding escapades and the species you see along the way. You can view the species lists of other birders, too, to get a feel for the birds you might encounter at various points across the island.
Many of the conservation organizations on Nantucket have knowledgeable birders on staff and offer frequent birding trips that appeal to both the seasoned birder as well as those just beginning to enjoy the hobby. Some of these amazing experiences on offer include an up close and personal view of how to band songbirds with Libby Buck at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, a nighttime owl prowl with Ginger Andrews at the Maria Mitchell Association, and nesting and migrating shorebird ID with Grace Bell and Woody Newell at the Nantucket Conservation Foundation. Check out the websites of each of these organizations for scheduled birding events!
A reminder that spring and early summer are peak seasons for shorebird nesting on Nantucket beaches. Please respect all fenced areas that protect nesting of rare and endangered birds. Avoid sitting directly next to fencing, landing or anchoring boats in front fencing, or kite boarding or flying kites near nesting sites. It is important to keep your dog on a leash as even playful puppies can cause injury or stress to birds. Pay close attention to how your presence is affecting the behavior of the birds. If your presence is preventing adults and chicks from reaching the shoreline to feed or causing constant stress to the adults trying to defend their chicks, you are too close and should consider backing off to give the birds a break. For photographers, your images can inspire a great love for nature, but occasionally, the quest to get the perfect shot can inadvertently cause birds undue stress as well. If the bird is aware of you, you are likely too close.
Love birds and looking for volunteer opportunities? The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is looking for a few dedicated stewards willing to spend a few hours on the beach near nesting areas this spring and summer. Volunteers would interact with beach visitors to educate them on shorebird biology and remind folks to respect the rules by not entering fencing, keeping dogs on leash, etc. If interested, please reach out to [email protected].
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that relies on generous contributions from friends and supporters to fulfill our mission — the conservation and protection of Nantucket's open spaces and rare resources. Consider making a gift to support our work at nantucketconservation.org.
