April 25, 2021 10:40 a.m.

Beachgoers are asked to help recovery efforts of the threatened western snowy plover by staying on the wet sand at snowy plover beaches during nesting season, which is underway through September 15th.

An update from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said beachgoers will see signs and ropes that identify sensitive plover nesting areas and list restrictions to protect the small shorebirds during this period.

The update said plover beaches remain open to foot and equestrian traffic on wet, packed sand throughout nesting season. All other recreation on plover beaches is off limits on both wet and dry sand.

Recreation restrictions occur in designated plover management areas which are small stretches of beach along the entire coastline. The areas collectively comprise about 40 miles of Oregon’s 362 miles of shoreline.