This is bird nose.

Along the Gulf of Mexico, just above the high tide line, you'll find undeveloped sandy

flats and shallow lagoons.

This is prime habitat for Wilson's plovers to nest and raise their chicks.

The Wilson's plovers are a bit smaller than a Robin, and has a surprisingly long and

thick beak for its size.

It's a beak well-suited to grapple it with a plover's favorite prey, small fiddler crabs

that share its habitat.

To catch a crab, a plover runs swiftly across the sand and then strikes quickly with that

sturdy beak.

But life on the beach is tough for birds.

In many parts of its U.S. range on the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts, Wilson's plover habitat

is at risk.

Beachfront development, off-road vehicles, dogs running free, and mechanized beach raking

are all serious threats.

One practice that has helped other beach birds is to place low, temporary fencing around

key nesting areas.

That way, the plovers can walk through the mesh of the fence, and their nest sites are

protected within, making life on the beach just a little easier.

For Birdnode, on Michael Stein.

Birdnode gives you the sounds of birds every day, and you can get the sites as well when

you follow us on Instagram at BirdnodeRadio.

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