Western Snowy Plover

The coastal population of the western snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus) was listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993. In 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a cooperative plan for recovery of the Pacific Coast population of the western snowy plover, which guides our management of plover habitat.

Sharing the Beach

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The western snowy plover spends its entire life on the beaches of Washington, Oregon, California, and the Baja peninsula. Since 1993, due to recovery efforts, the population has increased in Oregon from 30 to over 600 adults.

We work collaboratively with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, and other agencies to protect western snowy plover breeding and nesting habitat, educate ocean shore visitors, and monitor reproductive success, and public compliance with seasonal restrictions.

As their populations have increased in Oregon, nesting snowy plovers can now be found in many coastal counties. Nesting is not always successful, particularly where habitat conditions are marginal and recovery efforts are limited. Most of the western snowy plover population nests along the central and south coast, where they have been most productive in raising chicks to adulthood. 

The Siuslaw National Forest and Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area are home to about half of the central coast population of snowy plover. In partnership with Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, we implement seasonal restrictions on beach and dune activities within Snowy Plover Management Areas to protect sensitive nesting areas. These nesting season restrictions affect a small proportion of Oregon beaches and are essential to plover recovery efforts.

What Does Nesting Season Mean For Beachgoers?

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During the breeding season between March 15 and Sept. 15, dry sand beach areas (both inside and outside of roped off areas) are closed to entry to help protect the plovers during the critical nesting season. Snowy plovers lay their eggs in small depressions on open sand and rely on camouflage for protection. If the birds are disturbed by people, leashed or unleashed dogs, kites, or drones - all of which they perceive as predators - they may fly away from their nest, putting their eggs or young at risk. 

To protect nesting birds, it is important for beachgoers to pay attention to signs identifying what types of beach activities are permitted and what areas are open. Western snowy plover nesting areas are clearly marked where seasonal recreational restrictions are in place. 

By following nesting season restrictions and sharing the beach, you can help ensure plover chicks survive to adulthood.

Protecting the Western Snowy Plover Project Goals

• Conserve and recover western snowy plover populations in nesting sites occurring on and adjacent to the Forest and Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
• Strengthen and develop partnerships with organizations and individuals who will participate in restoring western snowy plover habitat and populations.
• Increase public awareness of the broader, long-range significance of recovery efforts, thereby increasing public compliance to local restrictions.

Project Status

Recent surveys of the reproductive success of the western snowy plover along the central and southern Oregon Coast indicated that the adult plover population has increased since monitoring began in 1990.

What Can I Do to Help?

• Remove any trash with you as trash may attract predators like ravens and crows to the area, where they may make a meal out of a plover egg.
• Please respect the beach restrictions in nesting areas and read all posted signs carefully.
• Enjoy beach activities in areas that aren’t home to the snowy plover.
• On designated plover beaches, remain on the wet sand near the water's edge; do not walk on the dry sand.
• Your vehicle, dog, and even kite may be enough to put eggs and young birds at risk. Make sure you know where the dog friendly beaches are during nesting season. 

Know Before You Go

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Although many Oregon beaches are not inhabited by western snowy plovers, several are designated as plover nesting beaches. On these beaches, certain activities are limited from March 15 - Sept. 15 to prevent disrupting plover during their sensitive nesting season. 

Visitors should pay attention to signs at beach access points identifying which types of beach activities are permitted and what areas are open. Designated trails through plover areas remain open; dogs are allowed on leash on these trails, but must stay on the trail and never enter protected plover areas. Visitors without dogs must remain on the trail, and once on the beach, only walk on the wet sand close to the water's edge. Dogs are not allowed on plover beaches between March 15 and September 15. 

Map of Plover Nesting Areas in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

View a full map of plover nesting beaches in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. 

Plover Nesting Beaches

Please locate year-round dog-friendly beaches here:

North Coast Beaches  South Coast Beaches

Prohibited Activities on Plover Beaches: 

Prohibited Activities on Plover Beaches

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• No vehicles, including OHVs
• No bicycles or non-motorized vehicles
• No kites or drones
• No dogs, even well-behaved dogs on leashes
• No camping
• No walking on the dry sand (walking permitted on wet sand near water’s edge only)

All dry sand beach areas are closed to entry in the areas listed below, except on designated trails. You may see portions of dry sand beaches and dunes roped off to protect known critical nesting areas, but dry sand both inside and outside of the ropes is closed. Plovers can nest very close to the rope line and occasionally on the outside of it. Staying on the wet sand helps reduce disturbance to nesting birds. 

UPDATE: Weather patterns, tides, and an increase in plover numbers in recent years has resulted in nesting occurring in new or historical nesting sites, include at Sand Lake Recreation Area. Visitors to the Sand Lake beach area near the lake’s inlet and by the Fisherman’s Day Use Area may see areas roped off to protect nests and may encounter plover on the beach. Formal restrictions are not yet in place here, but beachgoers are encouraged to protect these birds by limiting their activity to wet sand, avoiding nesting areas, and keeping dogs on leash.

What Restrictions Apply?

Forest Order 06-12-04-23-01 Snowy Plover Dry Sand Closure Areas