The piping plover is a small, stocky shorebird found along the Atlantic coast beaches and lakeshores of North America. They are considered a threatened species in New York and along the Atlantic coast due to loss of habitat and predation. Piping plovers migrate through and breed in New York City, especially on sandy beaches with little vegetation. The best places to see piping plovers in NYC are along the coasts of the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island from March through August.
Basic Facts About Piping Plovers
Description
Piping plovers are robin-sized shorebirds, around 7 inches long with a wingspan of about 15 inches. Their most distinctive features are their sand-colored plumage, black bands across their foreheads, and bright orange legs. During breeding season, they develop black bands and spots on their necks and heads. Their bills are orange with black tips. They run quickly along beaches probing for food.
Breeding
Piping plovers arrive in New York City in mid-March to establish breeding territories on beaches. The males will make scraped depressions for the nests above the high tide line near dunes or grass. The females lay about four sand-colored, black-spotted eggs in the nests in early April. The eggs hatch after about four weeks, and the precocial chicks will leave the nest within hours. The young plovers fledge and become capable of flight after about four weeks.
Migration
Piping plovers spend winters along the southern Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, and Caribbean. They usually arrive back to NYC in mid-March. Most piping plovers migrate south by the end of August, though some remain in the region through September.
Diet
Piping plovers forage along the beach and tidal zones, eating small invertebrates like marine worms, fly larvae, beetles, crustaceans, mollusks, and seeds. They will probe into sand and mud with their bills searching for prey. They prefer foraging on moist sand and mudflats.
Threats and Conservation Status
The piping plover is listed as threatened at both state and federal levels. Their global population is estimated around 8000 individuals. Threats include habitat loss, disturbance of nesting sites, and predation. Conservation efforts in New York City include monitoring and protection of nesting sites, controlling predators, and public education programs.
Where to See Piping Plovers in NYC
The best locations to spot piping plovers in New York City are along the shorelines of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Some specific locations and beach areas include:
Brooklyn
- Dead Horse Bay – This saline tidal wetland on the south shore of Brooklyn hosts migrating and breeding piping plovers from March to August.
- Plumb Beach – This beach east of Belt Parkway is a protected piping plover nesting area from March to August.
- Calvert Vaux Park – Occasional piping plover sightings along the beaches and shoreline areas of this park near Coney Island.
Queens
- Rockaway Beach – Piping plovers nest and breed along this Atlantic coast beach from March to August.
- Jacob Riis Park – Another beach area along the Rockaway Peninsula home to nesting piping plovers in spring and summer.
- Breezy Point Tip – This sandy area on the western tip of the Rockaways provides piping plover habitat.
Staten Island
- Conference House Park – Piping plovers stop at this park’s shoreline and tidal flats during migration.
- Miller Field – Migrating piping plovers visit this beach periodically in spring and fall.
These sites provide the mudflats, sand beaches, and sparsely vegetated habitat that piping plovers prefer for foraging, resting, and nesting during breeding season from mid-March to mid-August. Early mornings and evenings are often the best viewing times.
Tips for Responsibly Viewing Piping Plovers
When trying to spot piping plovers, be careful not to disrupt or disturb these threatened shorebirds, particularly during nesting season. Follow these tips for responsible viewing:
- Keep your distance and observe birds from afar using binoculars or a spotting scope.
- Don’t approach roped-off nesting areas marked with signs.
- Keep dogs and pets far away from any piping plovers.
- Avoid walking through designated piping plover nesting habitats.
- Pick up any trash and follow carry-in/carry-out rules to keep beaches clean.
- Educate others and speak up if you see people disturbing piping plovers.
It’s important that bird watchers and beachgoers do their part to respect these threatened shorebirds and their delicate beach habitat. Avoid excess noise, trash, and actions that could stress birds or damage nests.
Best Times and Conditions
To maximize your chances of spotting piping plovers, aim to visit sandy NYC beaches during:
- Peak breeding season from mid-April through July.
- Early morning or evening when their activity is highest.
- Mid-migration periods in May and late July through August.
- Low tides when more mudflats and beach areas are exposed for foraging.
- Sunny, mild weather with light winds.
Check tide charts and weather forecasts before planning a beach trip to look for piping plovers. Arrive prepared with binoculars, scopes, field guides, sun protection, proper footwear, and snacks for an enjoyable day. The endangered piping plover offers an exciting opportunity to observe these rare shorebirds up close in their natural beach habitat right in New York City.
Conclusion
New York City’s beaches and shorelines provide vital nesting and migratory habitat for the threatened piping plover from March to August each year. The south shores of Brooklyn, the Rockaway beaches in Queens, and the shorelines of Staten Island give birders the best chance to observe these small, sand-colored shorebirds in their natural environment. To protect piping plovers, it’s critical that observers practice responsible viewing habits and avoid disturbing the birds or their sensitive beach habitats, especially during nesting season. So grab your binoculars and field guides to head out on an urban birding adventure seeking piping plovers along the beaches of NYC.
