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Protecting and Monitoring Nesting Shorebirds A Success Story
Sheriff's Meadow Foundation has sponsored the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Waterbird Program (MVCWP) for 14 years. This highly successful
program works with private property owners and other groups around the Island to protect several species of beach-nesting birds that
have experienced declines in the past due to increased predation rates, and disturbance and loss of their breeding habitat due to
increased human use. Grants from private foundations, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, and private
donations provide funding for the program.
The MV Coastal Waterbird Program monitors and protects five species of nesting shorebirds and terns that are vulnerable to both heavy
predation and human disturbance. The program emphasizes protection of the diminutive, sand-colored Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus), which is a federally and state threatened species. The program also monitors and protects breeding
colonies of three species of terns. Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) are Species of
Special Concern in MA. Roseate Terns (Sterna dougalli) are federally endangered seabirds. Lastly, we monitor nesting pairs
of the charismatic American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus).
 Since the program's beginning in 1987, the Island's population of breeding Piping Plovers has grown from 7 pairs to a peak of 57 pairs in 1995 and 1996. The MVCWP has played a pivotal role in bringing about this increase by working with private beach owners to successfully provide monitoring and protection for nesting birds on their beaches. Without us, one-half to two-thirds of the Island's beach-nesting plovers would receive little or no protection. In 2000, our program successfully protected and monitored 28 Piping Plover nests, 3 Least Tern colonies and the only Common Tern colony on the Island. What We Do Staff of the MV Coastal Waterbird Program are responsible for: locating all nests on private beaches on the Island (over 20 sites, from Chappaquiddick to Aquinnah); contacting and obtaining permission from property owners to protect the nest(s); putting up signs and symbolic fencing around nest sites and predator fencing around all plover nests and some tern colonies; and regular monitoring of the sites until all chicks have fledged. In addition, we work closely with other conservation groups, sharing advice and/or labor. Our staff also work to educate the public through demonstrations and discussions in the field, newspaper articles and letters, and public talks. How You Can Help
Share your beach with an endangered species.
For more information, or to volunteer, contact:
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