[National Park Service Logo] [National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior][National Park Service Arrowhead] [Fire_Island_National_Seashore] [Nest with four eggs in a slight depression on the sand, among [search [go] fragments of broken sea shells.] ] view text printer friendly # Search this map size: park o Search nps.gov Fire Island National Seashore   Threatened and Endangered Species Skip_Navigation   PARK_HOME [Piping Plover adult.] [Aerial_view PLAN_YOUR_VISIT The piping plover is a small, stocky migratory shorebird that blends in with its sandy beach of_Fire PHOTOS_& surroundings. From March to late July, piping plovers breed on Atlantic Coast beaches from Canada Island_at MULTIMEDIA Virginia. They return to the south Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, Bahamas and West Indies for the its HISTORY_&_CULTURE winter. narrowest NATURE_&_SCIENCE Since 1986, Fire Island National Seashore—together with other federal, state, and local governmepoint, Animals volunteers, and private organizations—has been preserving and monitoring critical habitats and oBarrett Amphibians spaces for the protection of threatened and endangered shorebirds and coastal plants. Beach.] Birds Two federally listed threatened and endangered (T & E) bird species are known to nest withinFire Island Crustaceans Fire Island National Seashore. The piping_plover (Charadrius melodus) is on the federal threateneHabitats Fish and New York State endangered list. The roseate_tern (Sterna dougallii) is federally and state Learn more Insects,_Spiders, endangered. The state-listed threatened least_tern (Sternula antillarum) and the common_tern (Sabout the Centipedes, hirundo) also nest on Fire Island. natural Millipedes The bald_eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was officially removed from the federally threatened lifeatures and Mammals on August 8, 2007. Eagles continue to be protected by the 1940 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Aecosystems Mollusks and the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Bald eagles are occasionally sighted in the national of Fire Other seashore. Its presence is recorded during the annual fall hawk watch by Fire_Island_Raptor Island Invertebrates_ Enumerators (FIRE) near the Fire Island Lighthouse. National (corals,_sponges,   Seashore. worms,_etc.) [Sprawling_plant_on_sand.] more... Reptiles Seabeach amaranth is a small annual plant with rounded, waxy leaves and reddish stems. It grows l[Close-up [Arrow] Threatened to the ground and colonizes beaches between the high tide line and the dune area. view_of & The seabeach_amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus) is a federally threatened annual plant species that groyellowthroat Endangered on some of Fire Island National Seashore's beaches. warbler Species The seabeach knotweed (Polygonum glaucum) is a New York State rare plant that can be found on Fihead.] Plants Island.  Learn More Environmental   About Fire Factors   Island Birds Natural_Features_& [Sign on beach in front of lighthouse.] Diverse Ecosystems Signs, symbolic fencing and exclosures around nests are some of the measures that are taken to habitats FOR_TEACHERS ensure the survival of the federally threatened/state endangered piping plover. along the FOR_KIDS Fire Island National Seashore's piping plover monitoring and protection program begins in March wiAtlantic NEWS a restriction on driving, pets and kites on portions of the beach. Symbolic fencing is installed tflyway MANAGEMENT mark suitable plover habitat. support a SUPPORT_YOUR_PARK As nests are established, exclosures are constructed to protect both nest and eggs. After the chvariety of Site_Index have fledged, restrictions on pets and kites are lifted, but the symbolic fencing is left in placavian Frequently_Asked for the protection of beach plants. species. Questions   more... Bookstore You Can Help [Two Contact_Us * Respect fenced areas and stay clear of bird nesting areas. birdwatchers   * Where they are permitted, always keep dogs leashed. look_through [Support_the ==================================================================================================binoculars.] National_Park   Birdwatching Service]   is a great Three species of endangered whales may occur in the waters offshore of Fire Island: fin_whale way to enjoy (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback_whale(Megaptera novaeangliae) and northern_right_whale (EubalaenFire glacialis). Island's Five species of sea turtles have been documented around Fire Island, although none nest in the wildlife. area. The Kemp's_ridley_turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback_turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), more... and hawksbill_turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) are federally endangered species. The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and green_turtle (Chelonia mydas) are federally threatened.     [Riverhead Foundation and National Park Service staff examine dead turtle on beach.] Sea turtles are not known to nest on Fire Island, but an occasional animal will wash ashore. Staff from the Riverhead Foundation assist National Park Service rangers in the recovery and examination of stranded marine animals.  Occasionally, a threatened or endangered species will wash ashore, where it may be rescued or recovered by the Riverhead_Foundation, one of Fire Island National Seashore's partner organizations. Cold-stunned sea turtles are particularly vulnerable.  You Can Help * Patrol the beaches for sick & injured marine mammals and sea turtles * Report any sightings of healthy marine mammals and sea turtles to 631-369-9840 ext. 15 * Riverhead Foundation's  24-hour Stranding Hotline 631-369-9829 ===================================================================================================     [2007_T_&_E_Species_Monitoring_report_cover.] Learn More * Fire Island National Seashore's Threatened_&_Endangered_Species_Monitoring_Program_2007 Summary Visit the National Park Service's Nature & Science web site to learn more about Threatened_and Endangered_Species. * The_Endangered_Species_Act_of_1973 U._S._Fish_&_Wildlife_Service * U._S._Fish_and_Wildlife_Endangered_Species_Program: Long_Island_Recovery_Efforts * o U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1996. Piping_Plover_(Charadrius_melodus),_Atlantic Coast_Population,_Revised_Recovery_Plan. Hadley, Massachusetts. 258_pp.   pp. * Protected_Marine_Species NOAA Office of Protected Resources New York State's * Endangered_and_Threatened_Fish_&_Wildlife_Species * Protected_Plant_Species NYS Department of Environmental Conservation [Dead whale in swash on beach.] Did You Know? Whales and other marine mammals live in the ocean south of  Fire Island. Occasionally, they are can be spotted from shore, and rarely a dead whale will wash ashore. more... Last Updated: October 30, 2007 at 10:03 EST