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Beach to Bayou - May 2020
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Least Terns are the new celebrity neighbors on Beach Boulevard… but will they be allowed to nest here, or will they be evicted from their chosen home?
- Story by Dena Temple
- Story by Dena Temple
Hatchling Least Tern | USFWS | Wikimedia Commons
The Least Terns need your help:
There are 12 nests right now in Hancock County. Audubon Mississippi's Coastal Bird Stewardship program tried to get permission to help protect them by placing low posts and ropes around the nesting area for several weeks. They appeared before the Hancock County Supervisors on June 1st. Two beachfront property owners opposed roping. Two other local residents spoke in favor, one against. The supervisors voted to allow signage, but no ropes.
Please write the supervisors and express support for the terns. One reason given for not allowing the ropes was that it would harm tourism. You'll see by reading the story below that the opposite is true.
Here's the letter we sent to the Supervisors. Feel free to copy and paste it. Even though it's after the fact, they'll inevitably be considering the terns' protection in the future.
Dear Hancock County Supervisor,
We recognize the value of having Least Terns nest in our county. They provide an additional (and free) visitor attraction, educational opportunities for our youth, and enrich our environment. Please support Audubon Mississippi's Coastal Bird Stewardship Program in all their efforts to protect the nests.
Thank you for your consideration,
~ Scotty Adam - president - Scotty.Adam@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Greg Shaw - vice president - Greg.Shaw@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Theresa Ryan -tryan@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Kodie Koenenn -kkoenenn@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Darrin "Bo" Ladner Darrin - Bo.Ladner@co.hancock.ms.us
There are 12 nests right now in Hancock County. Audubon Mississippi's Coastal Bird Stewardship program tried to get permission to help protect them by placing low posts and ropes around the nesting area for several weeks. They appeared before the Hancock County Supervisors on June 1st. Two beachfront property owners opposed roping. Two other local residents spoke in favor, one against. The supervisors voted to allow signage, but no ropes.
Please write the supervisors and express support for the terns. One reason given for not allowing the ropes was that it would harm tourism. You'll see by reading the story below that the opposite is true.
Here's the letter we sent to the Supervisors. Feel free to copy and paste it. Even though it's after the fact, they'll inevitably be considering the terns' protection in the future.
Dear Hancock County Supervisor,
We recognize the value of having Least Terns nest in our county. They provide an additional (and free) visitor attraction, educational opportunities for our youth, and enrich our environment. Please support Audubon Mississippi's Coastal Bird Stewardship Program in all their efforts to protect the nests.
Thank you for your consideration,
~ Scotty Adam - president - Scotty.Adam@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Greg Shaw - vice president - Greg.Shaw@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Theresa Ryan -tryan@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Kodie Koenenn -kkoenenn@co.hancock.ms.us
~ Darrin "Bo" Ladner Darrin - Bo.Ladner@co.hancock.ms.us
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