OCEAN CITY, Md. - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Coastal Bays Program are working together to restore bird nesting, starting with Reedy Island in Ocean City, situated in the bay near 54th Street.
For decades, Reedy Island has served as a crucial nesting ground in Maryland's Coastal Bays, now representing the sole nesting site in the state for several bird species. However, the island is facing significant challenges due to erosion and water rising, with a shrinking ring of vegetation and an expanding tidal pond threatening its viability as a nesting area.
Long-time bird watcher Wayne Klockner reminisces about the island's past, "What I remembered as vibrant habitats for coastal birds is now reduced to just a few fragments." says Klockner.
This loss impacts bird species such as Royal Terns, Common Terns, and Black Skimmers, which depend on these isolated sand islands to avoid predators and raise their young.
Kim Abplanalp, bird habitat coordinator for the Coastal Bays Program, highlights the dire situation for the nesting birds, "The Royal Terns have attempted to nest here, but with the current high tide, any laid egg is at risk of not developing due to flooding."
In response, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Coastal Bays Program have initiated measures to counteract the island's erosion and create a safe nesting environment for the Royal Terns. Over the past two weeks, they have elevated parts of the island by a foot using crushed shells. Additionally, they've deployed an audio system to play Royal Tern calls continuously and placed decoys to attract the terns.
To deter other birds that might disrupt the terns, cameras monitor an inflatable pirate, which can be maneuvered to scare away unwanted visitors. These efforts mark just the beginning of a larger plan to restore Reedy Island entirely.
"Down the road, we are looking at a comprehensive project to restore the entire island," says Abplanalp, emphasizing the long-term commitment to the island's ecological revival.