Who's on our beach?
Welcome to the Atlantic Flyway!
The Strathmere Natural Area’s undeveloped beachfront, with undisturbed sand dunes, serves as a protected nesting and resting site for twelve species of endangered and protected birds. Our oceanside beaches are important stops on the Atlantic Flyway - an ancient aerial route used by millions of migratory birds. Our beaches host nesting birds in the summer and many birds stop in Strathmere in spring and fall as they make the difficult journey between their overwintering and breeding grounds. Some fly over 9000 miles each way from South America to the Arctic and back, and need a safe place to rest and replenish themselves from the demanding flight. To help them finish their journeys, and have successful families, please keep dogs off the beach during nesting season and on lead when dogs are permitted on the beach. Walking around flocks of birds can help these birds maintain their stamina and health by not wasting energy fleeing or being chased. This helps contribute to the birds' ability to breed and make it to their overwintering grounds. Here are some of the visitors and residents you may find on our beaches:
Endangered Species
Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus
These tiny super-camouflaged endangered birds take their newborn chicks to the water’s edge to feed. They are great fun to watch foraging and running around. But vulnerable to predation or being stepped on if chicks are separated from their parents. If you hear a piping sound nearby, stop and look down - you are too close. With only 3000 pairs of breeding birds, human disturbance on both nesting beaches and in overwintering locations is a main contributor to why they are now Endangered.
Protected Species
American Oystercatcher,
Haematopus palliatus
One of our largest and showiest beach-nesting shorebirds, American Oystercatchers gather in large flocks before migrating south in the fall. These are the first birds each season to nest on the beach and often share the nesting area with plovers and terns. Their bill is designed so they can pry open clams and mollusks. Watch for parents and chicks together on the beach May to July.
Endangered Species
Least Tern, Sternula antillarum
The world's smallest tern is endangered and nests in large colonies on the beach. In June when they are mating the male may fly in flicking a fish to entice the female to mate. Their tiny chicks are highly camouflaged and they are aggressive about protecting their nests and chicks. If you hear a loud, high-pitched call from above, please move away - you are too close to nests and chicks.
Endangered Species
Black Skimmer, Rynchops niger
Look for these graceful and distinctive shorebirds flying along the water’s edge, their longer lower bills skimming the surface snapping up fish. Skimmers nest in large, noisy colonies on the beach in late summer and gather in fall pre-migration flocks on our beach in the fall with their fledglings. During the summer these birds can be seen gracefully skimming the water close to the shore at sunset.
Declining
Royal Tern, Thalasseus maximus
These elegant terns are seen on our beaches in flocks mostly in the fall when they have molted their royal black "crown" and appear with their fledged chicks to gain strength and confidence for their migrations as far south as South America. Royal Terns are highly sensitive to human disturbance during nesting and may abandon nests and chicks if disturbed.
Declining
Marbled Godwit, Limosa fedoa
These large shorebirds with long legs and long sword-like orange and black bills rest on our beaches in spring and fall. They were nearly wiped out by 1900, but although hunting bans have helped, they are now in decline again as their prairie nesting areas are being lost to agriculture, and coastal wintering grounds are lost or degraded.
Common Bird in Steep Decline
Sanderling, Calidris alba
These medium-sized "peep" sandpipers are known for "chasing" waves and their sewing machine-like feeding habits. Long-distance migrants that breed in the upper reaches of Canada, our beaches are essential places for them to rest on their way to and from South America. Once a very common bird, they can still be found in large flocks on our beaches during migrations. Sanderlings are common birds that are experiencing a rapid decline.
Vulnerable
Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus
Horseshoe Crabs are living fossils! They pre-date dinosaurs but are rapidly declining in numbers. In late spring, they come ashore to mate, and females lay thousands of eggs which are fertilized by the smaller males. The protein-rich eggs are a vital food source for migrating birds. But use as bait and bleeding for medical use is taking its toll on these ancient crabs, and is having a domino effect on the shorebirds that rely on their eggs for nutrition and energy during breeding season. If you see a stranded Horseshoe Crab on their back, use both hands to flip over. Never handle by the tail.
Vulnerable
Diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin
The only turtle who lives their lives in coastal salt marshes, these unique terrapins use our beaches to nest. During nesting season, females make their way to our dune areas - often by crossing busy roads and then swimming through the inlet or ocean before coming ashore to lay their eggs. Known for their tractor-like tracks, dozens of female terrapins may come ashore during nesting season to lay their eggs. These terrapins are vulnerable to being hit by cars crossing roads; foxes and crows dig up and eat their eggs.
Least Concern
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Ospreys build large stick nests on man-made platforms near the water. Adapted for fishing, they have reversible outer toes and spiny foot pads to grip slippery prey. After diving for a catch, they align the fish aerodynamically headfirst along their body. These brown-and-white raptors are monogamous, returning to the same nest each year. They migrate to Central and South America in fall and return in late spring.
Least Concern
Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
In 1782, Bald Eagles became the national symbol of the United States. By the 1960’s their populations were nearly decimated by human persecution and DDT. In 1978 they were listed under the Endangered Species Act, and with protections in place, their recovery is one of the most successful examples of conservation. Most Bald Eagles are monogamous and return yearly to their massive stick nests that can weigh over a ton. Look for 4-5 year old adults with their iconic white head and tail in spring and fall.
Least Concern
Peregrine Falcon , Falco peregrinus
Found on every continent except Antarctica, these often highly migratory birds are known for their over 200 mph “stoop” when diving for a bird. Peregrine populations were deeply affected by DDT, egg and hawk collectors, but were introduced to cities where tall buildings mimicked natural cliff sites, with safe nesting sites and abundant prey, enabling their comeback. Peregrines are monogamous and work together to make a nest bowl scrape and raise their chicks. Watch for Peregrines hunting along the shoreline in fall.