[SEMCO] Importance of Chatham to Coastal Waterbirds subject of FREE lecture series

[Melissa Lowe]

For Immediate Release:									Contacts:
February 14, 2006			Melissa Lowe (Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary): 508
349-2615

Chatham Beaches May Hold the Future for Threatened Birds
Free Lecture Series Discusses Why

South Wellfleet, MA. -  The small town of Chatham has huge importance for
nesting coastal birds such as piping plovers, common terns, and least terns.
Miles of unspoiled coastline offers prime habitat for these threatened
species to nest and raise their young. Chatham hosts 16% of the State’s
piping plover population and the Monomoy Islands host the largest colony of
terns in the Northeast. With increased pressure along our coastline from
development, human use, and natural forces such as erosion, the pristine
beaches of Chatham become even more critical to the success of these birds’
future.
Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has organized a FREE lecture
series to discuss what makes Chatham so special to birds. The talks will be
held Fridays, March 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 2 p.m. at Chatham’s Eldredge Public
Library.
On March 3, Mass Audubon’s Director of Important Bird Areas, Wayne Petersen,
will identify the important bird areas of Chatham and what makes them so
valuable to nesters and migrants. The following week Ellen Jedrey, Assistant
Director of Mass Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program and naturalist
Stephanie Ellis, will introduce the interesting natural history of plovers
and terns. On March 17 Ellen Jedrey will return to discuss how these birds’
populations have changed over time in response to changes in coastline, food
resources, and management practices in the Chatham area. And the series will
conclude by focusing on current efforts to protect these species and their
habitats presented by Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary director Bob Prescott
and Ellen Jedrey. After each presentation time will be reserved for
discussion and questions.
While the programs are free, participants are encouraged to call the
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to pre-register. Contact the Wellfleet Bay
Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615 for more information or to register.
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The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the west side of Route 6,
immediately north of the Eastham/Wellfleet town line.  Trails are open daily
8 am to dusk.  Sanctuary admission is free for members; $5 adults, $3
children for non-members. Call (508) 349-2615 for information.


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Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator

Massachusetts Audubon Society
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-349-2615 (phone), 508-349-2632 (fax)
mlowe at massaudubon.org

"Protecting the Nature of Massachusetts"
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay