Operation Plover Patrol Begins

What is Operation Plover Patrol? Eventually, it will be an interpretive program to help people learn how to share the beach with plovers & shorebirds. Here is a pair of Wilson's Plovers near Jekyll Point. See how they blend into the beach. The south end of Jekyll is a very important area for resting shorebirds, gulls and terns. There has been increasing use of this beach by a wide variety of people. They use the beach for a wide range of acceptable and unacceptable recreational activities. The unacceptable activities increase the pressure on these already stress birds. There is a need for public education to help give people a positive experience and allow the birds to rest and nest.

Because I am doing this without much needed funding, this year I am beginning with this simple survey to see the real problems for these birds. Here is the survey. If you are in the area and want to help with this survey let me know. Also if you want to help fund this program, the Jekyll Island Foundation has a special fund set up. It is called Operation Plover Patrol.