Why are shorebird populations in decline?
Clearly, the biggest threat to shorebirds are people and the ongoing battle between nature and mankind. Most menacing is the collective sprawl of humanity and its degradation of wild habitat. In the U.S., about 50% of natural wetlands have been filled or drained. Further, the U.S. continues to lose 24,000 acres (about 35 square miles) of natural wetlands per year to draining and filling. Several species of shorebirds compete for one of our most popular recreational spaces – beaches. With people come dogs, which love to make sport chasing shorebirds. So instead of being able to feed and fuel up for the next leg of the migration, shorebirds spend a lot of time avoiding people, cars, and pets, expending energy they should be saving for their migratory flights. It’s estimated that one-third of shorebirds leave New England at below threshold weight. Survival of these birds is correspondingly lower than birds departing at optimal weight. This mortality often occurs over the ocean, unseen. Al