StarNews/ Letters to the Editor/ May 15, 2020
Imagine a world where we all learn about animals through pictures from the past, never being able to see them in person. With some parks and nature centers closed for safety reasons, children have to learn about animals secondhand. Audubon North Carolina is trying to make sure that does not happen with species like our native beach nesting least terns and black skimmers.
COVID-19 has affected everyone’s life. We don’t know yet what beach restrictions mean for birds, but we do know that Audubon’s Beach Bird Stewards aren’t able to spend time on Wrightsville Beach educating the public, like they usually do.
As restrictions are lifted, people need to remember that beach-nesting birds depend on humans following the rules and keeping their distance. Our presence can mean life or death for them, depending on how we behave. Dogs scare off parent birds when they run through nesting areas, leaving chicks vulnerable — and they aren’t allowed on Wrightsville Beach at this time of year anyway! People do the same thing when they get too close to nests and chicks inside protective string fencing — so even if you’re outside of the fence, if the birds are flying up and calling, they need you to move back and let them settle down.Trash attracts predators who prey on eggs and tiny chicks.
We all need to do our part to protect these natural havens, so we can continue to enjoy them safely — and enjoy the native bird species that also call these their home. Audubon has called on us to “Share the Love, #ShareTheShore” and extend social distancing practices to nesting birds. On behalf of our Cape Fear Audubon board and members, who love watching those little cotton balls on sticks racing across the beach, we ask everyone to keep your hearts open to helping birds, especially during this challenging this year.
Krys Ochota, Leland. Ochota is president of Cape Fear Audubon, a chapter of Audubon North Carolina and The National Audubon Society.