I Love New York...Plovers?

Protecting a threatened bird species in a city of 8 million head-strong New Yorkers, she knew there was bound to be some conflict. After all, this wasn't her first job in wildlife conservation and she understood that people who threaten wildlife often do not realize they are doing so and intend no harm from their actions. She even empathized with those who oppose conservation, understanding they often have legitimate concerns: jobs, for instance. But up until now, most people had been polite and receptive to her requests to relocate. This gentlemen however, did not seem to be in a receptive mood. It was only after she threatened to notify park police, who may have fined or arrested him, that the gentlemen packed up and continued his way down the beach.

Piping Plovers, Charadrius melodus, are small, rare shorebirds that inhabits portions of the eastern seaboard and the Midwestern United States. Both populations are classified as unique species and both are in peril with one classified as threatened and the other as endangered (respectively) under the Endangered Species Act. Gateway provides nesting habitat for the eastern variety, who migrate through the area every year and attempt to raise chicks amongst the multitude of other shorebirds and beachgoers who frequent Gateway’s beaches every summer.

While every year, chicks successfully fledge, the species as a whole is still imperiled. Predators such as raccoons, foxes, and domestic pets (dogs and cats) routinely prey on the fledglings as do seagulls and other large bird species. Even the docile Oystercatcher (another species of concern in New York) has been witnessed to skewer juvenile piping plovers if they wander too close to their own nests. On top of all those threats, the intensive use of nesting areas by people has a pronounced negative effect on the plovers. The more people are on a beach, the more difficult it is for piping plovers to feed and the more likely it is that someone will disturb the nests of fledglings themselves, leading to dreaded mortality. Regardless, this park is first and foremost a recreation area, so balancing the needs of this threatened species and the needs of people is often a difficult task. Nevertheless, this species routinely raises its chicks with a backdrop of the New York City skyline and that is an encouraging sight.

One salty, senior ranger, Tony, worries intensely about the survival of these species. He has been working seasonally at Gateway for more than 20 years and hopes to continue to do so. At 79 years old, he remains spritely and driven. In his view, these species must be protected from “beach bunnies” and other people who use Gateway for recreation. He understands that you can’t close off Gateway completely but he does his best to enforce a hard line: to keep beachgoers away from the birds as much as is practically possible. After so many years of fighting for these birds, he finds it difficult to be optimistic at times. More and more people are using Gateway every year and as a result, there is less and less space for the birds. Tom remembers that at one time, Gateway was the best kept secret in NYC. Well, the secret is out and the hipsters keep pouring in, with their vintage beach gear and complete disregard for the natural resources of the park.

Can you really blame these urbanites though? How many city goers expect to run into a threatened wildlife species in the middle of New York City. Mel feels that most people she spoke with simply did not know that the birds were there, and were more than happy to give them the space they needed, when asked. However, as is often the case, a vocal few still resist as was witnessed in her experience on July 4th. Protecting natural resources in an urban setting (especially one like New York City) is a distinct challenge, one that the National Park Service has not yet solved. If this and similar species are to survive, the National Park Service must continue to preserve them in the face of overwhelming odds.

If conservation as a whole, is to succeed in places like this, and if this urban park program is to be a success, both the National Park Service and conservationists are going to have to do more to connect with individuals like this veteran. If we can't understand his anger and resistance, we may find many of our conservation successes and efforts at risk.

For more information about Piping Plovers or Gateway NRA, consult the following links:

[1] http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/piping-plover

[2] https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/nature/piping-plovers.htm