Winter Shorebird Surveys of Federally Protected Bird Species Following Restoration at West Belle Headland and Trinity-East Island, Louisiana
The USGS and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) conducted post-restoration monitoring of Piping Plovers and Red Knots to better understand how birds respond to coastal restoration.
The Science Issue and Relevance: The northern Gulf Region contains highly important foraging and loafing (e.g., preening, resting) habitats for 34 species of migrating and wintering shorebirds and is particularly crucial for the federally protected Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) and Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), which are both listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Piping Plovers spend 70% of their annual cycle in a stationary non-breeding area that includes coastal Louisiana. Specifically, Louisiana’s barrier islands support 85% of the state’s Piping Plover population during the non-breeding period. Approximately 10,000 ha of non-breeding Piping Plover and Red Knot Critical Habitat has been designated in Louisiana, including most barrier islands and headlands like Trinity-East Island and West Belle Headland (see Figure 1 below).
The Louisiana coastline experiences the highest rates of coastal erosion and wetland loss in the United States. In response, the state of Louisiana developed the Coastal Master Plan to combat land loss and reinforce remaining coastline. As part of the Master Plan, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) has implemented beach and dune restoration since the 1990s to restore the geomorphic form and function of barrier islands, which sustains coastal infrastructure and critical wildlife habitats. The recently completed Terrebonne Basin Barrier Island and Beach Nourishment (TE-0143) project built and nourished 509 ha of beach, dune, and marsh at Timbalier Island, West Belle Headland, and Trinity-East Island. Understanding how birds respond to coastal restoration is imperative in enacting shorebird species recovery efforts in Louisiana and beyond.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: The greatest threats to shorebirds include habitat degradation and sea-level rise, which may be mitigated through habitat engineering projects that aim to restore Louisiana’s coastal headlands and islands. However, the effect of habitat engineering projects on bird populations remains highly uncertain as post-restoration avian monitoring is often lacking. To better understand how birds respond to coastal restoration, the USGS and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) conducted post-restoration monitoring of Piping Plovers and Red Knots from July 2022 to May 2023 at West Belle Headland and Trinity-East Island in Louisiana. All available habitats (e.g., barrier shorelines, low energy bay-sides, and interior sandflats) were surveyed on foot using high powered spotting scopes and binoculars. Surveyors documented additional species of conservation concern, including Wilson’s Plovers, Snowy Plovers, and American Oystercatchers. In the field, surveyors collected data on species abundance, distribution, habitat use, and behavior. Surveyors also attempted to resight banded birds through alphanumeric, colored leg-bands, which were then shared with other researchers and maintained in a database.
Future Steps: As engineered habitats become increasingly widespread, more information on species abundance and non-breeding habitat characteristics are needed for resource managers to maximize benefits for target populations and protect restoration investments. The post-restoration bird monitoring data will allow land managers and conservation planners to: (1) determine if barrier island restoration benefits species recovery; and (2) design island construction projects that balance human infrastructure/hydrology needs and creation of critical habitat.
Monitoring Effects of Barrier Island Restoration on Piping Plovers in Louisiana
Understanding Avian Habitat Availability and Use After Barrier Island Restoration in Coastal Louisiana
The USGS and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) conducted post-restoration monitoring of Piping Plovers and Red Knots to better understand how birds respond to coastal restoration.
The Science Issue and Relevance: The northern Gulf Region contains highly important foraging and loafing (e.g., preening, resting) habitats for 34 species of migrating and wintering shorebirds and is particularly crucial for the federally protected Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) and Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), which are both listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Piping Plovers spend 70% of their annual cycle in a stationary non-breeding area that includes coastal Louisiana. Specifically, Louisiana’s barrier islands support 85% of the state’s Piping Plover population during the non-breeding period. Approximately 10,000 ha of non-breeding Piping Plover and Red Knot Critical Habitat has been designated in Louisiana, including most barrier islands and headlands like Trinity-East Island and West Belle Headland (see Figure 1 below).
The Louisiana coastline experiences the highest rates of coastal erosion and wetland loss in the United States. In response, the state of Louisiana developed the Coastal Master Plan to combat land loss and reinforce remaining coastline. As part of the Master Plan, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) has implemented beach and dune restoration since the 1990s to restore the geomorphic form and function of barrier islands, which sustains coastal infrastructure and critical wildlife habitats. The recently completed Terrebonne Basin Barrier Island and Beach Nourishment (TE-0143) project built and nourished 509 ha of beach, dune, and marsh at Timbalier Island, West Belle Headland, and Trinity-East Island. Understanding how birds respond to coastal restoration is imperative in enacting shorebird species recovery efforts in Louisiana and beyond.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: The greatest threats to shorebirds include habitat degradation and sea-level rise, which may be mitigated through habitat engineering projects that aim to restore Louisiana’s coastal headlands and islands. However, the effect of habitat engineering projects on bird populations remains highly uncertain as post-restoration avian monitoring is often lacking. To better understand how birds respond to coastal restoration, the USGS and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) conducted post-restoration monitoring of Piping Plovers and Red Knots from July 2022 to May 2023 at West Belle Headland and Trinity-East Island in Louisiana. All available habitats (e.g., barrier shorelines, low energy bay-sides, and interior sandflats) were surveyed on foot using high powered spotting scopes and binoculars. Surveyors documented additional species of conservation concern, including Wilson’s Plovers, Snowy Plovers, and American Oystercatchers. In the field, surveyors collected data on species abundance, distribution, habitat use, and behavior. Surveyors also attempted to resight banded birds through alphanumeric, colored leg-bands, which were then shared with other researchers and maintained in a database.
Future Steps: As engineered habitats become increasingly widespread, more information on species abundance and non-breeding habitat characteristics are needed for resource managers to maximize benefits for target populations and protect restoration investments. The post-restoration bird monitoring data will allow land managers and conservation planners to: (1) determine if barrier island restoration benefits species recovery; and (2) design island construction projects that balance human infrastructure/hydrology needs and creation of critical habitat.
Monitoring Effects of Barrier Island Restoration on Piping Plovers in Louisiana