One of my favorite beaches to watch and photograph shorebirds is Goose Rocks Beach near Kennebunkport, Maine. During fall migration, (which has begun here in Maine)shorebirds by the thousands visit this beach where the Baston River empties into Goosefare Bay. The sand flats at low tide offer great views of these beautiful birds.
Shorebird and waders such as Piping Plovers, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstones, Sandpipers galore, Willets, Great and Lesser Yellowlegs, Short and Longbilled Dowitchers, Glossy Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Egrets and more make the stop here to feed on the rich marine organisms that are an important part of these birds diet.
Piping Plover and Least Tern nest on this beach every year, which in turn closes the beach until the birds depart. Fencing is put up to defend the nest against predators such as Fox, Skunk and Raccoons. During the 2008 nesting season the beach hosted 7 pairs of Piping Plover. Ten nesting attempts resulted in 15 fledglings. One fledgling was found dead in a sand sculpture in the month of July 2008. Dogs and cats are always present on the beach, which is a NO DOG beach during nesting season.
Don’t get me wrong as I love dogs. But I have little patience with those who ignore the signage that declares no dogs are allowed on the beach. I have witnessed people out there with their dogs running loose chasing shorebirds and doing nothing to control their pets. Most of these people are from out of state, but that is no excuse. With the number of signs and the obvious activity of the shorebirds it’s a matter of common sense to not take pets on the beach. When I see this happening, the pet owners get a stern scolding. By the way, this is the same beach where I was attacked by a dog last year whose owners from New York did nothing to control it. I was admonished for having a large camera thereby scaring the dog. HELLO! Keep your damned dog off of the closed beach!!
Piping plovers are facing a terrible fight for survival on Maine’s beaches. As if the natural challenges of predators and ocean storms weren’t enough, they also have to cope with thousands of people and beachside development in their habitat. The survival of these beautiful birds depend on each and every one of us!
The following photos were taken from a distance with a 400mm lens. I was not close enough to stress these birds nor did I tramp around their nesting area. As always, clicking a thumbnail will open a shadowbox for a larger view.
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- Piping Plover – Goose Rocks Beach – Kennebunkport, Maine
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- Piping Plover – Goose Rocks Beach – Kennebunkport, Maine
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- Piping Plover – Goose Rocks Beach – Kennebunkport, Maine
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- Piping Plover – Goose Rocks Beach – Kennebunkport, Maine
Happy birding!
{ 16 comments }
…loved the post and the photos of the little fellows are adorable. It’s nice to know they are trying to protect them. Why people choose to ignore signs is beyond me. In Cincy we have a small population of nesting Henslow’s Sparrows. While I was there last week, a man was launching rockets that would fall into their nesting area (signs were posted–and there is a designated airplane/rocket area). One crashed about 8 feet from where I was with my camera, so I asked him if he knew he was disturbing the nesting sites of a fairly rare bird (in our area). He didn’t know, but didn’t care. He was still launching when I left.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..The molt goes on… =-.
Wonderful pictures! And heaps of praise to you for responsible photography.
.-= hammerchick´s last blog ..undiscovered? =-.
Beautiful portraits of the lovely plovers, John.
Pity about the Maine beaches. There is nothing more frustrating than ignorance.
.-= gwendolen´s last blog ..Little egrets | BPW #48 =-.
I have two dogs myself and I know that some people just don’t use their common sense when it comes to their pets
When we visit a nature park, they get on the leash and stay there. If there’s nobody around they get the long leash.
The Plover looks cute. I like the one where he’s ready for take off
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Unidentified Beauty =-.
John, I completely agree with you regarding dogs on beaches. It happens all the time here in California, and the perpetrators are locals! I would call their attention and would just shrug and say, “who are you to call my attention?” Frustrating, I tell you.
Anyway, excellent shots of the Piping Plover!
.-= Bob K´s last blog ..A Walk in the Crowds =-.
Such wonderful photos of such gorgeous birds. I share the same concern and frustration as you do in regards to these birds survival and how much has been lost to human development. Thankfully people are starting to wake up and realize the importance of habitat conservation and birds. Some people who have dogs are idiots! I deal with them every time I venture outside to look at wild life!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Peregrine Falcon Upate-July =-.
I hear ya..about the dogs. We get so upset when we see dogs running loose chasing birds..not the dogs fault..but the owners who have no clue..they think its funny that their dog is having fun chasing birds…so we try to enlighten them..
sometimes it works, sometimes they could care less and think we are nuts.
Once some gal said..thats what dogs do … humm
Anyway..
Great shots of the Plover!
Thank goodness there are people like Hammerchick protecting them!
.-= Dawn Fine´s last blog ..#BwBTC meets Birds and Beers …Join Us! =-.
Fantastic light and great subjects. Love the glint in the birds eye and the feather texture. Particularly the shot with the partial wing flap. Great stuff. Ian
.-= Ian Coleman´s last blog ..On Japanese Anemones =-.
Thanks for the comments folks!
Dawn, you are right it’s not the dogs fault. The pet owners need educated about the risk to wildlife when pets are allowed to chase.
What really rips me: When you nicely remind a dog owner about the beach being closed to dogs and then you are told to mind your own business. I get my revenge though. Take down license number and description of offender and call dog warden or police. Watched one fella get a ticket because of doing my part.
These were beautiful captures – I just love those Plovers and hope they do more to protect them. I can appreciate you being careful in photograhing them. I feel the same way about my Loons. Can’t believe the audacity of some people w/ their pets! Especially that one person whose dog attacked you! I had a neighbor brag to me the other day that their cat kills at least 3 birds per week – well I gave her my opinion on that and it’s safe to say she probably won’t be talking to me anymore – LOL!
.-= Shelley´s last blog ..Piggy =-.
Great photos! People are the same all over the world! We have similar trouble out here with uncontrolled dogs! Not the dog’s fault IMO. Indeed they can be trained and should be!
.-= Mick´s last blog ..White-faced Heron. =-.
I remember as a kid going to Hampton Beach and seeing Plovers all over the place. Not anymore. Though I know they are closing off parts of the beach now when the birds do nest which is a positive step.
Great shots John! I’ll have to look up where the actual beach is. We were in Goose Rocks this Spring but not at the actual beach. Were these taken this year? I assume so.
Sharon
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..The longest day ever… again =-.
Wonderful photos.
“fledgling was found dead in a sand sculpture ” and “signage that declares no dogs are allowed on the beach” and “attacked by a dog…owners…did nothing to control it. I was admonished for having a large camera thereby scaring the dog.”, essentially blaming the victim for a dog bite, sometimes stupidity has no limits.
.-= Andy´s last blog ..Little Bearded Dragon =-.
Wonderful photos. It is very frustrating to hear how callous people can be and uncaring for preserving the natural wonders.
.-= Dan Huber´s last blog ..30 minute Bird Stop =-.
What a sweet little bird! I have never seen one. I love the shot where it is holding its wings high and stepping out. So cute! BTW, amen to the dog story! Some people! I hope you keep on defending the birds.
.-= Kathiesbirds´s last blog ..My World: Desert Summer Morning =-.
Firstly John, unbelievably excellent captures of the Piping Plovers! That little cutie against the dark sands give exceptional looks.
Now the pet and people problem. I too am a dog and animal (of all kinds) lover. On the other hand, people have to prove themselves to me. When I took my dog to “dog training” class, you know what the trainer said? She said, “I am really here to train you.” It is predominately the humans that need the training in my opinion. It irks me to no end how self indulgent some people are.
I could go on about these incidents but the reason I enjoy the company of nature and bird lovers is that I believe we care at least as much about the animals and habitat on this planet as we do about ourselves. We are part of the great web of living things, not the masters of anything and we should be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Glad to hear that you turn in these selfish humans when appropriate. I would loved to have seen that guys face when he got ticketed. Hopefully it is a huge fine.
And lastly John, be careful with that lens of yours will ya?
.-= Larry Jordan´s last blog ..Comment on Pied-billed Grebe Pair Build A Nest by Amy =-.
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