NORTH WILDWOOD — Conservation organizations are requesting Gov. Jon Corzine take immediate action to save the large and critically important beach-nesting bird colony at Champagne Island, located in Hereford Inlet.
The bird colony including the state-endangered Black Skimmer has been subject to repeated harassment by boaters visiting there.
“New Jersey’s Black Skimmers almost literally have all their eggs in the Champagne Island basket, in part because coastal development has paved over all the other baskets,” stated Don Freiday, director of birding programs for New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory in a release.
“Immediate law enforcement is essential, and NJDEP (Department of Environmental Protection) must find a way to protect Champagne Island and the whole Hereford Inlet complex in the long-term,” Freiday continued.
During the July 7-8 weekend, over 80 boats were seen landed on the island at once, with over 420 people onshore. Boats, people and dogs agitated the birds and forced them from their nests, exposing eggs and nestlings to predation by gulls and to the weather.
There were reports of people entering the colony, which had been roped off and posted by DEP personnel, and throwing eggs from Black Skimmers.
“We have to protect environmentally sensitive islands before they are loved to death,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the NJ Sierra Club. “This tragedy highlights the need for the governor to fully fund stewardship and law enforcement at NJDEP.”
With over 1,400 Black Skimmers and 570 Black Skimmer nests, Champagne Island is one of the largest colonies in the northeast of this species. Nesting with the skimmers are over 700 Common Terns (at least 250 nests), and 104 Royal Terns (at least 20 nests).
This is the northernmost Royal Tern colony in the world, and is the first instance in modern times of significant numbers of Royal Terns nesting in New Jersey. Piping Plovers, are state endangered and also federally listed, attempted nesting there earlier in the season.
“There are some places along our coasts that are so special they need to be protected for natural values,” said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society. “Clearly Champagne Island is one of these rare gems.”
“Conservation officers must be assigned to patrol Champagne Island every weekend day during the summer months, and periodically during the week as well,” the release stated.
“Conservation officers were present and effective at Champagne Island on July 8, but disturbance of the colony resumed quickly once the officers left. Regular enforcement of the NJ Endangered Species Conservation Act is essential to the survival of the Champagne Island colony,” it continued.
“NJ’s wildlife is being threatened by the lack of Conservation Officers,” said Eric Stiles, vice president for conservation at NJ Audubon Society. “We would like to thank the governor for approving the backfilling of 17 currently vacant conservation officer positions and request the positions be filled immediately,” he stated.
A long-term solution to the disturbance of state-listed birds nesting on Champagne Island must be found, the release stated.
Both the state Wildlife Action Plan and the Comprehensive Beach Bird Conservation Plan for the Borough of Stone Harbor mention the importance of this site and the need to manage it appropriately.
Champagne Island must be made part of the Wildlife Management Area system so regulations limiting access for the protection of beach-nesting birds can be promulgated, the release concluded.
Dennisville – As a parent of a Tech student it would be great if the school would update their staff directory. So many old staff still listed and no new teachers listed. What gives?
