Community Corner

Dogs Banned From Goosewing Beach To Protect Piping Plovers

Piping Plovers, a threatened shorebird species, need residents help to protect their fragile habitat along Goosewing Beach in Little Compton.

 

Dogs are banned from Goosewing beach through Labor Day to help reduce the threat to the federally-protected Piping Plovers nesting at Goosewing Beach.

The Piping Plover is a federally-threatened shorebird protected under the Endangered Species Act. These charismatic shorebirds nest and raise their young on Goosewing Beach each spring and summer.

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implements a piping plover recovery plan which mandates that dogs be prohibited on beaches where pet owners fail to keep their pets leashed and under control. As part of the plover recovery effort, The Nature Conservancy and the Little Compton Police are requesting cooperation from the public to leave their pets at home.

To assist with enforcement of the no dog policy at Goosewing, The Little Compton Police will enforce the rules of Goosewing Beach during the spring and summer months. Since piping plovers will abandon their nests or young in the presence of dogs, and dogs are known to chase birds, no dogs are allowed on Goosewing Beach from April 1 through Labor Day.

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Unfortunately, the number of dogs on the beach has increased steadily over the years, disrupting birds off nests and preventing chicks from accessing important feeding areas.

Goosewing Beach, owned by The Nature Conservancy, is managed as a nature preserve to protect its pristine beach, dune and coastal pond environment for nature and for people.  

The Nature Conservancy holds a variety of programs at Goosewing Beach throughout the summer to educate the public about the nature of Goosewing Beach. Volunteers have a significant impact toward the success of the plover recovery effort by helping to monitor nesting areas. If you would like to volunteer to help the plover recovery effort please contact The Nature Conservancy at 401-331-7110.


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