RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Yes, oystercatchers are protected by the MBTA. MBTA does not include
harassment, so for it to apply, you would need a direct take of an adult or
eggs at this stage, or of chicks if it gets to that point.
Joe
From: TURNER
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 8:14 PM
To: Joe Jannsen ; Gus Keri ; Smith, Jason Y
(DEC) ; Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert
Subject: RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Wouldn't MBTA protect oystercatchers?
John T.
On May 27, 2021 at 5:54 PM Joe Jannsen
mailto:jjann...@tnc.org>> wrote:
Yes—that was already arranged with NPS.
Thanks for also following up.
Joe
From:
bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu>
mailto:bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu>>
On Behalf Of Gus Keri
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 3:33 PM
To: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>>; Birding alert,
NYSBirds, Birding alert mailto:nysbirds-l@cornell.edu>>
Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Thank you Jason for immediate response and action.
I hope this nest will survive until the weekend.
Gus
On Thu, 27 May 2021 14:01:31 -0400 Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>> wrote
> div.zm_-5476009931034783622_parse_-1648336103378843337 P { margin-top: 0;
> margin-bottom: 0 }Gus,
> Some potential good news. I was able to contact NPS and they will try and get
> to the area by Saturday morning to put up a symbolic fence around the nest.
> It leaves them vulnerable for the next few days...but hopefully they can get
> the area marked off before anything happens.
> Jason
> Jason C. Smith |Biodiversity Ecologist
> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
> 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
> Phone: 718-482-4919 | Fax: 718-482-4502
> Email: jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov<mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>
> "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we
> created them" -Einstein
>
>
>
>
> From: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:34 PM
> To: gusk...@zoho.com<mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>
> mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>>
> Subject: Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach Gus,
> I'm a biologist with the NYDEC out of the Long Island City regional office. A
> co-worker forwarded me your email about the Oystercatcher nest at Plumb Beach.
> While I am not familiar with this nest in 2021, I am very familiar with where
> the Oystercatchers have tried to nest in the past on that beach.
> Unfortunately, it has never ended well.
> Both the National Park Service and the NYC Parks & Recreation are responsible
> for managing that property and it is generally managed as a recreational
> access area and not as protected area for nesting shorebirds or waterbirds.
> Plumb Beach primarily serves as a kayak/wind surfing launch, and a rest area
> for vehicles travelling on the Belt Parkway. As you note, there is a lot of
> recreational foot traffic through there. And folks with dogs usually take
> them off their leash there to run. Which is prohibited, but largely goes
> unenforced as there are no permanent staff there.
> The area just north of Plumb Beach, Marine Park does have an area that is
> preserved for wildlife. Here is a link to the NYC Parks website for the
> preserve: Forever Wild : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)Forever Wild : NYC
> ParksMost of the Marine Park Preserve consists of salt marshes and uplands
> that flank Gerritsen Creek, the westernmost freshwater inlet of Jamaica Bay.
> Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that provides a unique
> environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. Enclosed by
> the ...www.nycgovparks.org
> This area is the reason why Plumb Beach is so attractive to Oystercatchers.
> So, in a way it was the NPS and NYC Parks' way of finding a compromise for
> the two land use issues in the area. If the Oystercatchers would only nest
> across the channel(north of the marina and south of the bridge crossing the
> channel between Plumb and Marine Park) from where you are likely seeing them
> (as you go around the bend towards the wetland north of the beach) that would
> eliminate the conflict. That area isn't currently suited obviously, otherwise
> the Oystercatchers would nest there. But it could be set up to.
>
> The area where they are (likely) nesting is suited, if not for the high level
> of recreational activity. Even without any dogs off their leash.
> I will however reach out to colleagues at the NPS and make sure they are
> aware of the nest and ask if they can demark the area. Unfortunately,
> American Oystercatcher are not protected under NYS law as a threatened,
> endangered, or special concern speci
RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Yes, oystercatchers are protected by the MBTA. MBTA does not include
harassment, so for it to apply, you would need a direct take of an adult or
eggs at this stage, or of chicks if it gets to that point.
Joe
From: TURNER
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 8:14 PM
To: Joe Jannsen ; Gus Keri ; Smith, Jason Y
(DEC) ; Birding alert, NYSBirds, Birding alert
Subject: RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Wouldn't MBTA protect oystercatchers?
John T.
On May 27, 2021 at 5:54 PM Joe Jannsen
mailto:jjann...@tnc.org>> wrote:
Yes—that was already arranged with NPS.
Thanks for also following up.
Joe
From:
bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu>
mailto:bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu>>
On Behalf Of Gus Keri
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 3:33 PM
To: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>>; Birding alert,
NYSBirds, Birding alert mailto:nysbirds-l@cornell.edu>>
Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Thank you Jason for immediate response and action.
I hope this nest will survive until the weekend.
Gus
On Thu, 27 May 2021 14:01:31 -0400 Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>> wrote
> div.zm_-5476009931034783622_parse_-1648336103378843337 P { margin-top: 0;
> margin-bottom: 0 }Gus,
> Some potential good news. I was able to contact NPS and they will try and get
> to the area by Saturday morning to put up a symbolic fence around the nest.
> It leaves them vulnerable for the next few days...but hopefully they can get
> the area marked off before anything happens.
> Jason
> Jason C. Smith |Biodiversity Ecologist
> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
> 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
> Phone: 718-482-4919 | Fax: 718-482-4502
> Email: jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov<mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>
> "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we
> created them" -Einstein
>
>
>
>
> From: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:34 PM
> To: gusk...@zoho.com<mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>
> mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>>
> Subject: Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach Gus,
> I'm a biologist with the NYDEC out of the Long Island City regional office. A
> co-worker forwarded me your email about the Oystercatcher nest at Plumb Beach.
> While I am not familiar with this nest in 2021, I am very familiar with where
> the Oystercatchers have tried to nest in the past on that beach.
> Unfortunately, it has never ended well.
> Both the National Park Service and the NYC Parks & Recreation are responsible
> for managing that property and it is generally managed as a recreational
> access area and not as protected area for nesting shorebirds or waterbirds.
> Plumb Beach primarily serves as a kayak/wind surfing launch, and a rest area
> for vehicles travelling on the Belt Parkway. As you note, there is a lot of
> recreational foot traffic through there. And folks with dogs usually take
> them off their leash there to run. Which is prohibited, but largely goes
> unenforced as there are no permanent staff there.
> The area just north of Plumb Beach, Marine Park does have an area that is
> preserved for wildlife. Here is a link to the NYC Parks website for the
> preserve: Forever Wild : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)Forever Wild : NYC
> ParksMost of the Marine Park Preserve consists of salt marshes and uplands
> that flank Gerritsen Creek, the westernmost freshwater inlet of Jamaica Bay.
> Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that provides a unique
> environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. Enclosed by
> the ...www.nycgovparks.org
> This area is the reason why Plumb Beach is so attractive to Oystercatchers.
> So, in a way it was the NPS and NYC Parks' way of finding a compromise for
> the two land use issues in the area. If the Oystercatchers would only nest
> across the channel(north of the marina and south of the bridge crossing the
> channel between Plumb and Marine Park) from where you are likely seeing them
> (as you go around the bend towards the wetland north of the beach) that would
> eliminate the conflict. That area isn't currently suited obviously, otherwise
> the Oystercatchers would nest there. But it could be set up to.
>
> The area where they are (likely) nesting is suited, if not for the high level
> of recreational activity. Even without any dogs off their leash.
> I will however reach out to colleagues at the NPS and make sure they are
> aware of the nest and ask if they can demark the area. Unfortunately,
> American Oystercatcher are not protected under NYS law as a threatened,
> endangered, or special concern speci
RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Wouldn't MBTA protect oystercatchers?
John T.
> On May 27, 2021 at 5:54 PM Joe Jannsen wrote:
>
>
> Yes—that was already arranged with NPS.
>
>
>
> Thanks for also following up.
>
>
>
> Joe
>
>
>
> From: bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu
> On Behalf Of Gus Keri
> Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 3:33 PM
> To: Smith, Jason Y (DEC) ; Birding alert,
> NYSBirds, Birding alert
> Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
>
>
>
> Thank you Jason for immediate response and action.
> I hope this nest will survive until the weekend.
> Gus
>
> On Thu, 27 May 2021 14:01:31 -0400 Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov > wrote
> > div.zm_-5476009931034783622_parse_-1648336103378843337 P { margin-top:
> 0; margin-bottom: 0 }Gus,
> > Some potential good news. I was able to contact NPS and they will try
> and get to the area by Saturday morning to put up a symbolic fence around the
> nest.
> > It leaves them vulnerable for the next few days...but hopefully they
> can get the area marked off before anything happens.
> > Jason
> > Jason C. Smith |Biodiversity Ecologist
> > New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
> > 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
> > Phone: 718-482-4919 | Fax: 718-482-4502
> > Email: jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov
> > "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used
> when we created them" -Einstein
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> > Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:34 PM
> > To: gusk...@zoho.com mailto:gusk...@zoho.com mailto:gusk...@zoho.com >
> > Subject: Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach Gus,
> > I'm a biologist with the NYDEC out of the Long Island City regional
> office. A co-worker forwarded me your email about the Oystercatcher nest at
> Plumb Beach.
> > While I am not familiar with this nest in 2021, I am very familiar with
> where the Oystercatchers have tried to nest in the past on that beach.
> Unfortunately, it has never ended well.
> > Both the National Park Service and the NYC Parks & Recreation are
> responsible for managing that property and it is generally managed as a
> recreational access area and not as protected area for nesting shorebirds or
> waterbirds. Plumb Beach primarily serves as a kayak/wind surfing launch, and
> a rest area for vehicles travelling on the Belt Parkway. As you note, there
> is a lot of recreational foot traffic through there. And folks with dogs
> usually take them off their leash there to run. Which is prohibited, but
> largely goes unenforced as there are no permanent staff there.
> > The area just north of Plumb Beach, Marine Park does have an area that
> is preserved for wildlife. Here is a link to the NYC Parks website for the
> preserve: Forever Wild : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)Forever Wild : NYC
> ParksMost of the Marine Park Preserve consists of salt marshes and uplands
> that flank Gerritsen Creek, the westernmost freshwater inlet of Jamaica Bay.
> Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that provides a unique
> environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. Enclosed by
> the ...www.nycgovparks.org
> > This area is the reason why Plumb Beach is so attractive to
> Oystercatchers. So, in a way it was the NPS and NYC Parks' way of finding a
> compromise for the two land use issues in the area. If the Oystercatchers
> would only nest across the channel(north of the marina and south of the
> bridge crossing the channel between Plumb and Marine Park) from where you are
> likely seeing them (as you go around the bend towards the wetland north of
> the beach) that would eliminate the conflict. That area isn't currently
> suited obviously, otherwise the Oystercatchers would nest there. But it could
> be set up to.
> >
> > The area where they are (likely) nesting is suited, if not for the high
> level of recreational activity. Even without any dogs off their leash.
> > I will however reach out to colleagues at the NPS and make sure they
> are aware of the nest and ask if they can demark the area. Unfortunately,
> American Oystercatcher are not protected under NYS law as a threatened,
> endangered, or special concern species. So, I cannot require them to take any
> action. But they have tried to help Oystercatchers nesting in precarious
> locations in the past, so there is hope.
> > From a longer-term sol
RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Wouldn't MBTA protect oystercatchers?
John T.
> On May 27, 2021 at 5:54 PM Joe Jannsen wrote:
>
>
> Yes—that was already arranged with NPS.
>
>
>
> Thanks for also following up.
>
>
>
> Joe
>
>
>
> From: bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu
> On Behalf Of Gus Keri
> Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 3:33 PM
> To: Smith, Jason Y (DEC) ; Birding alert,
> NYSBirds, Birding alert
> Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
>
>
>
> Thank you Jason for immediate response and action.
> I hope this nest will survive until the weekend.
> Gus
>
> On Thu, 27 May 2021 14:01:31 -0400 Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov > wrote
> > div.zm_-5476009931034783622_parse_-1648336103378843337 P { margin-top:
> 0; margin-bottom: 0 }Gus,
> > Some potential good news. I was able to contact NPS and they will try
> and get to the area by Saturday morning to put up a symbolic fence around the
> nest.
> > It leaves them vulnerable for the next few days...but hopefully they
> can get the area marked off before anything happens.
> > Jason
> > Jason C. Smith |Biodiversity Ecologist
> > New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
> > 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
> > Phone: 718-482-4919 | Fax: 718-482-4502
> > Email: jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov
> > "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used
> when we created them" -Einstein
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> > Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:34 PM
> > To: gusk...@zoho.com mailto:gusk...@zoho.com mailto:gusk...@zoho.com >
> > Subject: Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach Gus,
> > I'm a biologist with the NYDEC out of the Long Island City regional
> office. A co-worker forwarded me your email about the Oystercatcher nest at
> Plumb Beach.
> > While I am not familiar with this nest in 2021, I am very familiar with
> where the Oystercatchers have tried to nest in the past on that beach.
> Unfortunately, it has never ended well.
> > Both the National Park Service and the NYC Parks & Recreation are
> responsible for managing that property and it is generally managed as a
> recreational access area and not as protected area for nesting shorebirds or
> waterbirds. Plumb Beach primarily serves as a kayak/wind surfing launch, and
> a rest area for vehicles travelling on the Belt Parkway. As you note, there
> is a lot of recreational foot traffic through there. And folks with dogs
> usually take them off their leash there to run. Which is prohibited, but
> largely goes unenforced as there are no permanent staff there.
> > The area just north of Plumb Beach, Marine Park does have an area that
> is preserved for wildlife. Here is a link to the NYC Parks website for the
> preserve: Forever Wild : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)Forever Wild : NYC
> ParksMost of the Marine Park Preserve consists of salt marshes and uplands
> that flank Gerritsen Creek, the westernmost freshwater inlet of Jamaica Bay.
> Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that provides a unique
> environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. Enclosed by
> the ...www.nycgovparks.org
> > This area is the reason why Plumb Beach is so attractive to
> Oystercatchers. So, in a way it was the NPS and NYC Parks' way of finding a
> compromise for the two land use issues in the area. If the Oystercatchers
> would only nest across the channel(north of the marina and south of the
> bridge crossing the channel between Plumb and Marine Park) from where you are
> likely seeing them (as you go around the bend towards the wetland north of
> the beach) that would eliminate the conflict. That area isn't currently
> suited obviously, otherwise the Oystercatchers would nest there. But it could
> be set up to.
> >
> > The area where they are (likely) nesting is suited, if not for the high
> level of recreational activity. Even without any dogs off their leash.
> > I will however reach out to colleagues at the NPS and make sure they
> are aware of the nest and ask if they can demark the area. Unfortunately,
> American Oystercatcher are not protected under NYS law as a threatened,
> endangered, or special concern species. So, I cannot require them to take any
> action. But they have tried to help Oystercatchers nesting in precarious
> locations in the past, so there is hope.
> > From a longer-term sol
RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Yes—that was already arranged with NPS.
Thanks for also following up.
Joe
From: bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu
On Behalf Of Gus Keri
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 3:33 PM
To: Smith, Jason Y (DEC) ; Birding alert, NYSBirds,
Birding alert
Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Thank you Jason for immediate response and action.
I hope this nest will survive until the weekend.
Gus
On Thu, 27 May 2021 14:01:31 -0400 Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>> wrote
> div.zm_-5476009931034783622_parse_-1648336103378843337 P { margin-top: 0;
> margin-bottom: 0 }Gus,
> Some potential good news. I was able to contact NPS and they will try and get
> to the area by Saturday morning to put up a symbolic fence around the nest.
> It leaves them vulnerable for the next few days...but hopefully they can get
> the area marked off before anything happens.
> Jason
> Jason C. Smith |Biodiversity Ecologist
> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
> 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
> Phone: 718-482-4919 | Fax: 718-482-4502
> Email: jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov<mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>
> "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we
> created them" -Einstein
>
>
>
>
> From: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:34 PM
> To: gusk...@zoho.com<mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>
> mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>>
> Subject: Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach Gus,
> I'm a biologist with the NYDEC out of the Long Island City regional office. A
> co-worker forwarded me your email about the Oystercatcher nest at Plumb Beach.
> While I am not familiar with this nest in 2021, I am very familiar with where
> the Oystercatchers have tried to nest in the past on that beach.
> Unfortunately, it has never ended well.
> Both the National Park Service and the NYC Parks & Recreation are responsible
> for managing that property and it is generally managed as a recreational
> access area and not as protected area for nesting shorebirds or waterbirds.
> Plumb Beach primarily serves as a kayak/wind surfing launch, and a rest area
> for vehicles travelling on the Belt Parkway. As you note, there is a lot of
> recreational foot traffic through there. And folks with dogs usually take
> them off their leash there to run. Which is prohibited, but largely goes
> unenforced as there are no permanent staff there.
> The area just north of Plumb Beach, Marine Park does have an area that is
> preserved for wildlife. Here is a link to the NYC Parks website for the
> preserve: Forever Wild : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)Forever Wild : NYC
> ParksMost of the Marine Park Preserve consists of salt marshes and uplands
> that flank Gerritsen Creek, the westernmost freshwater inlet of Jamaica Bay.
> Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that provides a unique
> environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. Enclosed by
> the ...www.nycgovparks.org
> This area is the reason why Plumb Beach is so attractive to Oystercatchers.
> So, in a way it was the NPS and NYC Parks' way of finding a compromise for
> the two land use issues in the area. If the Oystercatchers would only nest
> across the channel(north of the marina and south of the bridge crossing the
> channel between Plumb and Marine Park) from where you are likely seeing them
> (as you go around the bend towards the wetland north of the beach) that would
> eliminate the conflict. That area isn't currently suited obviously, otherwise
> the Oystercatchers would nest there. But it could be set up to.
>
> The area where they are (likely) nesting is suited, if not for the high level
> of recreational activity. Even without any dogs off their leash.
> I will however reach out to colleagues at the NPS and make sure they are
> aware of the nest and ask if they can demark the area. Unfortunately,
> American Oystercatcher are not protected under NYS law as a threatened,
> endangered, or special concern species. So, I cannot require them to take any
> action. But they have tried to help Oystercatchers nesting in precarious
> locations in the past, so there is hope.
> From a longer-term solution perspective, I will reach out to NYC Parks and
> see if they can't provide some signs near the concessions/restroom area that
> alert visitors to the potential for encountering beach nesting birds (and
> migratory shorebird stopovers too...both NPS and Parks acknowledge the area
> for important horseshoe crab spawning area that it is). And re-enforce the
> dog leash law for the area. Again, I cannot require them to do so.
> To your point Gus, this area has seen a lot of nesting attempts by American
> Oystercatchers over th
RE: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Yes—that was already arranged with NPS.
Thanks for also following up.
Joe
From: bounce-125669674-10871...@list.cornell.edu
On Behalf Of Gus Keri
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 3:33 PM
To: Smith, Jason Y (DEC) ; Birding alert, NYSBirds,
Birding alert
Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach
Thank you Jason for immediate response and action.
I hope this nest will survive until the weekend.
Gus
On Thu, 27 May 2021 14:01:31 -0400 Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>> wrote
> div.zm_-5476009931034783622_parse_-1648336103378843337 P { margin-top: 0;
> margin-bottom: 0 }Gus,
> Some potential good news. I was able to contact NPS and they will try and get
> to the area by Saturday morning to put up a symbolic fence around the nest.
> It leaves them vulnerable for the next few days...but hopefully they can get
> the area marked off before anything happens.
> Jason
> Jason C. Smith |Biodiversity Ecologist
> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
> 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
> Phone: 718-482-4919 | Fax: 718-482-4502
> Email: jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov<mailto:jason.sm...@dec.ny.gov>
> "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we
> created them" -Einstein
>
>
>
>
> From: Smith, Jason Y (DEC)
> Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:34 PM
> To: gusk...@zoho.com<mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>
> mailto:gusk...@zoho.com>>
> Subject: Oystercatchers at Plumb Beach Gus,
> I'm a biologist with the NYDEC out of the Long Island City regional office. A
> co-worker forwarded me your email about the Oystercatcher nest at Plumb Beach.
> While I am not familiar with this nest in 2021, I am very familiar with where
> the Oystercatchers have tried to nest in the past on that beach.
> Unfortunately, it has never ended well.
> Both the National Park Service and the NYC Parks & Recreation are responsible
> for managing that property and it is generally managed as a recreational
> access area and not as protected area for nesting shorebirds or waterbirds.
> Plumb Beach primarily serves as a kayak/wind surfing launch, and a rest area
> for vehicles travelling on the Belt Parkway. As you note, there is a lot of
> recreational foot traffic through there. And folks with dogs usually take
> them off their leash there to run. Which is prohibited, but largely goes
> unenforced as there are no permanent staff there.
> The area just north of Plumb Beach, Marine Park does have an area that is
> preserved for wildlife. Here is a link to the NYC Parks website for the
> preserve: Forever Wild : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)Forever Wild : NYC
> ParksMost of the Marine Park Preserve consists of salt marshes and uplands
> that flank Gerritsen Creek, the westernmost freshwater inlet of Jamaica Bay.
> Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that provides a unique
> environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. Enclosed by
> the ...www.nycgovparks.org
> This area is the reason why Plumb Beach is so attractive to Oystercatchers.
> So, in a way it was the NPS and NYC Parks' way of finding a compromise for
> the two land use issues in the area. If the Oystercatchers would only nest
> across the channel(north of the marina and south of the bridge crossing the
> channel between Plumb and Marine Park) from where you are likely seeing them
> (as you go around the bend towards the wetland north of the beach) that would
> eliminate the conflict. That area isn't currently suited obviously, otherwise
> the Oystercatchers would nest there. But it could be set up to.
>
> The area where they are (likely) nesting is suited, if not for the high level
> of recreational activity. Even without any dogs off their leash.
> I will however reach out to colleagues at the NPS and make sure they are
> aware of the nest and ask if they can demark the area. Unfortunately,
> American Oystercatcher are not protected under NYS law as a threatened,
> endangered, or special concern species. So, I cannot require them to take any
> action. But they have tried to help Oystercatchers nesting in precarious
> locations in the past, so there is hope.
> From a longer-term solution perspective, I will reach out to NYC Parks and
> see if they can't provide some signs near the concessions/restroom area that
> alert visitors to the potential for encountering beach nesting birds (and
> migratory shorebird stopovers too...both NPS and Parks acknowledge the area
> for important horseshoe crab spawning area that it is). And re-enforce the
> dog leash law for the area. Again, I cannot require them to do so.
> To your point Gus, this area has seen a lot of nesting attempts by American
> Oystercatchers over th
