New Jersey Fish and Wildlife’s annual reports for the 2024 beach-nesting bird season show mixed results for the various coastal species, noted Todd Pover, senior wildlife biologist for Conserve Wildlife Foundation. “Piping plovers had one of their worst seasons on record in New Jersey since federal listing in 1986,” he explained. “Least terns also fared poorly, while black skimmers and American oystercatchers posted more-promising breeding results.”

According to the report, Pover said, plovers recorded their lowest population in the state this year, at just 89 pairs.