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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesBuck Island Beach Area Closed for Nesting Least Terns

Buck Island Beach Area Closed for Nesting Least Terns

Effective immediately, a portion of the Buck Island Reef National Monument in the vicinity of and including the West Beach has been closed to protect the nesting grounds of the Least Tern, Superintendent Joel Tutein reported Tuesday.

As of June 13th, at least one pair of least terns had established a nesting area at West Beach, Tutein said, prompting the closure until nesting behavior has ended. He encouraged visitors to bring binoculars, spotting scopes or a camera’s telephoto lenses to view the birds from a distance, but said no one will be allowed within the area.

The adult Least Tern, Sterna antillarum, lays small speckled, sand-colored eggs in shallow depressions on the beach. The nesting pair takes turns sitting on the eggs, foraging for food, and protecting and incubating the eggs, according to the National Park Service. When the eggs hatch both parents take turns feeding the baby chicks, which are camouflaged to match the sand for protection from predators both on land and in the air.

The adult birds might be disturbed by the presence of humans and leave the eggs unprotected when people or animals approach. Disturbing the nest can expose the eggs and hatchlings to excessive heat from direct sunlight and possible predation. The adult terns may fly up into the air as people approach, so the park service asks people to stay clear of the nesting areas.

The closure locations will have signs and be clearly marked, Tutein’s statement said. The superintendent also reminded visitors that dogs are not allowed on Buck Island Reef NM beaches.

For additional information or to report violations of the closure, people can contact the National Park Service at 340-773-1460 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, or call the chief ranger at 340-227-6782 after business hours.

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