2026 Shorebird Season Coming Soon!

Shorebird season is just around the corner, and with it comes our annual reminder that it’s almost time to share the shore. In the coming weeks, piping plovers and least terns will begin returning to Fishers Island to nest and raise their young. Their arrival is one of the sure signs that spring is settling in.

When the Birds Arrive

Piping Plovers

• Typically begin arriving in late March through April

• Establish territories and begin nesting by late April into May

• Chicks hatch in June

• Most chicks fledge by early July, often around July 4, unless there is nest failure or renesting

Least Terns

• Usually arrive a bit later, in mid to late May

• Nest in small colonies on open sandy areas

• Eggs are typically laid in June

• Chicks hatch from late June into July

Both species nest directly on the sand, which makes them especially vulnerable to disturbance, predators, and weather.

What We’ll Be Doing

Like last year, we will be installing symbolic fencing around active nesting areas once birds establish territories.

• Fencing helps reduce disturbance during nesting and chick rearing.

• It is temporary and will remain in place only until chicks have successfully fledged.

• If nests fail and birds renest, fencing timelines may shift accordingly.

Throughout the season, we will conduct regular monitoring visits to document nest activity, track chick development, record productivity and assess disturbances and habitat conditions.

We follow established state and regional monitoring protocols so the data collected here contributes to broader Long Island and Atlantic Coast recovery efforts. This ensures our work is both locally grounded and scientifically meaningful.