It's snowy plover nesting season. Wildlife managers are asking the public to observe restrictions in place on Oregon beaches to protect the threatened shorebird.
Four public agencies manage snowy plover nesting areas in Oregon. Lisa Romano with the Siuslaw National Forest says during nesting season certain areas are cordoned off to prevent people and their pets from disturbing the nests.
"The birds are easily spooked from their nests and if they fly away then that leaves their eggs and their chicks vulnerable to predators."
Romano says snowy plover are federally listed as threatened. Invasive grasses have encroached on the birds' habitat. The noise and trampling of people and their pets doesn't help. The Siuslaw National Forest is working to restore the Oregon Dunes, which would help the shorebirds. Snowy Plover nesting season continues into September.
