Snowy Plover 101

Adult snowy plover on the beach. Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

Have you ever seen a snowy plover? The answer may be no. These small, elegant birds nest in the sands of our Washington beaches. Their coloring and small stature make it hard for people to see them. The babies are even harder to see as they look like floating cotton balls.

These adorable little shore birds have been an endangered species since 1981. That means they won’t be able to bring smiles and “awwws” to people’s mouths and hearts for much longer unless we all do our part to protect them!

Here’s more about this wonderful bird, and how to help them thrive:

About the snowy plover

Only weighing about two ounces and growing six inches long, these pale brown and white birds lay their eggs in sand dunes and sparse vegetation, including on the beaches at Leadbetter Point State Park, Grayland Beach State Park and Griffiths-Priday State Park.

These conditions allow the snowy plover to see any approaching predators while they feed. Unfortunately, the snowy plover population is vulnerable due to the loss of their nesting habitat from developments, recreational activities, dogs off their leashes, rising sea levels, erosion and human interaction.

Many snowy plovers migrate south for the winter but are now back on our beaches nesting through September. Since Snowy Plovers are semi-migratory, they tend to spend a lot of time in their nests, making their habitats that much more important. Snowy plover chicks hatch after about 28 days and leave their nest within hours of being born to look for food. These birds are foragers, feeding on invertebrates from the wet sand.

Adult snowy plover nesting. Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

(Left) Newly hatched baby snowy plovers. (Right) Snowy plover on the beach in the late afternoon light. Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

What can you do to help protect them?

The population of the snowy plover is a direct indicator of the health and function of our coastal beach systems and our stewardship. And this is where you can help us:

Stay out of marked nesting areas

Many of the areas in which snowy plovers are nesting have been blocked off by state and federal agencies to help preserve their habitat. Please respect these closures and find another area to recreate that will not cause harm to the snowy plover habitat.

Keep dogs on leashes at beaches

Dogs love exploring and aren’t the best at reading signs for closure areas. Please keep your dog (and other pets! We’ve seen pet pigs on the beach before) on leashes to help protect snowy plover habitats.
Follow the Washington State Parks BARK Ranger principles to help you and your pet have a safe and fun visit anytime you go to a state park. BARK Stands for:
- Bag you pet’s waste
- Always leash your pet (in areas close to the blocked off snowy plover habitats, otherwise dogs do not need to be leashed on beaches)
- Respect wildlife
- Know where you can go

Watch where you are walking and recreating

We love to use the saying ‘know before you go’, but it is one of the best things you can do to recreate responsibly and help protect the cute snowy plovers.
Please be aware of your surroundings as you’re flying a kite or taking in the views. Snowy plovers may be nesting nearby!