Vehicles a Danger to Shore Birds
Monday June 29, 2009
A 20-year-old man drove a Jeep at high speeds for three hours along the beach at Ocean Park, Washington, disrupting bird flocks and killing at least 34 birds, according to a SeattlePI.com story. One surviving Caspian tern has been rescued and is recovering from a broken wing at a regional wildlife center. Authorities say the man turned himself in and is cooperating with the investigation. If convicted, he could face a fine of $5,000 and up to a year in jail for each dead or injured bird.Many beaches prohibit vehicular traffic altogether, but where vehicles are allowed on the beach it is imperative to maintain low, safe speeds for birds to escape easily when vehicles approach. Beachgoers should also stay clear of nesting birds at all times, keeping games, pets and children from disrupting the birds. Beaches are superb wildlife areas for gulls, terns, loons, grebes, cormorants and other sea and shore birds, but with care everyone can enjoy the beach without disturbing the birds.
What birds have you seen at the beach? Share your sandy sightings in the comments!
Caspian Tern
Photo © Mike Baird
Comments
That is a HORRIBLE story. I hope he does go to prison for 30 years–clearly he’s someone who’s a danger to society.
Here is a related image.
Long-billed Curlew dead in the fresh tracks of a State Park patrol truck – was it dead before? Unknown. Morro Strand State Beach, Morro Bay, CA – photo by Mike Baird, flickr.bairdphotos.com 17 June 2006
Here are links to pictures of a caspian tern I accidently caught while fishing. This big bird was grabbed and hauled into the boat, and immediately became free when the line was slack.
http://www.beakycoot.com/CASPIAN1.JPG
http://www.beakycoot.com/CASPIAN2.JPG
Perhaps not knowing it was free, it decided to stand and fight anyone who approached it. These are big birds and can bite pretty hard. Eventually it flew away.
This sort of incident happens once every few years, and I always thought I might be a public nuisance and a threat to society. But I got nothing on somebody who kills 34 at one whack!
These are big birds.
Cliff