(Mirror Daily, United States) – Biologists and authorities have come up with a new plan of preserving the piping plovers’ population without affecting beachgoers too much.

The birds have begun nesting in Massachusetts as this is a good sign that conservationists’ efforts have finally paid off.

Federal wildlife officials have designed a set of rules to assure the long-term protection of piping plovers, whereas tourists and residents will still be able to enjoy the recreational activities on the beach.

This species of birds is listed under the Endangered Species Act as it is still threatened with extinction. This initiative was only possible thanks to the combined efforts of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife.

The first measures of preserving this species began in 1986 when wildlife officials built fences on the beach to protect the little birds during the nesting season. For some reason, piping plovers are unable to fly while they are nesting.

However, their chicks are surprisingly resilient and need only a couple of weeks to be large enough to start flying. Even if it is good that these birds started nesting, only 139 nesting pairs have been reported in Massachusetts until now.

According to the United States Fish and Wildlife  Service, 689 nesting pairs were spotted last year. This years’ number is quite low compared to 2015, but experts have doubled their efforts to make sure that the piping plovers will come in higher numbers from now on.

The piping plover population has been stabilized over the past few years thanks to various restrictions such as fences, signs, and leash laws.

According to Wendi Weber, U.S. Fish, and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Director, the overall situation looks good because experts calculated that the piping plover population had been recovered during the last three decades as a result of the joint efforts of many organizations, government, state, federal, private, and municipal landowners.

The latest project will allow people to use over-sand vehicles, parking lots, roads, and to enjoy other beach recreational activities in the area surrounding the nesting site. However, all these activities will be closely monitored by authorities to ensure the protection of the birds.

This initiative also includes habitat improvement, law enforcement, education, selective predator management, and it aims to reduce chick and egg mortality of the piping plovers.

Image Source:Sand Kidz