American Oystercatchers Return to Shores After Near Extinction

Biologists in Rhode Island’s Trustom Pond National Reserve recently banded oystercatchers as part of a larger ten-year effort to monitor and restore the population. The program, involving 35 coastal organizations across 16 states, has raised approximately $10 million and focused on educating beachgoers and protecting nests from predators and pets.

From 2008 to 2023, the oystercatcher population increased by 45 percent along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, a positive trend as most North American coastal bird populations are declining. Researchers determined that chick survival was a crucial factor in population numbers, leading to measures like limiting human disturbance and controlling predators.

Despite this success, ongoing threats remain, including climate change, sea level rise, and erosion. Some states are building elevated nesting sites and restoring islands to address these challenges, though revisions to the Endangered Species Act raise concerns about potentially weakening habitat protection.