Plover nest destroyed in north county

Published 8:35 pm Monday, June 17, 2024

GRAYLAND — A motorist recently broke the law by driving in the dunes in a closed portion of Grayland Beach State Park in north Pacific County, in the process destroying the nest of a protected bird.

Some of the popular recreation area north of the mouth of Willapa Bay, along with an area near Leadbetter Point south of the bay’s entrance, serves as critical habitat for the small western snowy plover. They are listed as state endangered and as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Nesting areas are clearly marked as off limits during plover breeding season from mid-April to mid-September.

“Someone ignored the vehicle closure signs posted on a portion of Grayland Beach State Park in Pacific County, drove through the dunes, and ran over a western snowy plover nest. Sadly, the nest was destroyed, leaving one egg shattered and another cracked and non-viable,” the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said on social media.

“We ask all beach visitors to respect closure areas and signs indicating snowy plover nesting habitat. When driving on open sections of a beach, please follow the speed limit of 25 miles per hour,” WDFW said. As a general rule, it is illegal to drive at all in the dunes.

Learn more about these rare shorebirds and how you can help protect them in WDFW’s blog: tinyurl.com/WDFW-plove-advice. Anyone wishing to provide information about the Grayland incident can call the WDFW Police at 877-933-9847, send a report using our online form: wdfw.wa.gov/about/enforcement/report, or text WDFWTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411).