by Silas Beers | Nov 21, 2023 | Beach-nesting birds, Birds
One of the aspects that makes wildlife conservation efforts on Martha’s Vineyard so engaging is the abundance of migratory birds that use the Island’s beaches for staging or breeding. BiodiversityWorks staff work from spring through summer protecting the habitat these... 
by Matt Pelikan | Aug 25, 2022 | Beach-nesting birds, Birds
The BiodiversityWorks shorebird management team is wrapping up its 11th season of monitoring beach-nesting birds at select sites across the island. The Vineyard’s beaches represent critical habitat for these birds and their well-camouflaged eggs and chicks. Our... 
by Luanne Johnson | Jul 22, 2022 | Beach-nesting birds, Birds
Black skimmers began nesting in Massachusetts in 1985, but always in low numbers (fewer than seven pairs). They first nested on Martha’s Vineyard (MV) in 2010 at Norton Point beach in Edgartown; however, they failed to fledge chicks that year. When a few pairs... 
by Luanne | May 31, 2012 | Beach-nesting birds
We have been working long hours since early April, but all of the hard work is well worth it when the first chicks begin to hatch. American Oystercatchers began hatching chicks in Mid-May, and our first Piping plover chicks hatched this week. Least terns are... 
by Luanne | Apr 12, 2012 | Beach-nesting birds, Volunteers and Interns
This past saturday, we had our first volunteer work day. Liz and I met 13 amazing volunteers at our storage area to tackle organizing and preparing beach-nesting bird signs and fencing for the weeks ahead. This happy group worked for 2.5 hours in the sunshine and put... 
by Luanne | Mar 7, 2012 | Beach-nesting birds
This morning, a local birder reported the first American Oystercatcher in Lagoon Pond. This is our earliest record of an oystercatcher returning to a breeding territory on the island. Will the Piping plovers also arrive early after our mild winter? Keep you eyes on...