Horseshoe Island -- new island off the NJ coast

[flyzipper]

A win for birds...

In 2021, Horseshoe Island persisted through all tide cycles. As summer progressed, public use increased dramatically as boaters landed on the shores of the site. While biologists installed small signs to mark off the areas most used by birds, unleashed dogs, people walking through important habitats, and use of the lagoon by jet skis was observed. As is indicated in the NJWAP, boating and use of beaches at sites such as the Horseshoe Island are considered threats. Furthermore, it is well-known that human disturbances are a serious threat to nesting bird species on beaches (Megnak et al., 2019).​

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Management Rights Agreement is Approved​

In early 2022, managers and biologists responsible for the well-being of coastal bird species in New Jersey requested a Management Rights Agreement from the Tidelands Resource Council to allow for management of the island and its intertidal areas for nesting and migratory birds. The site may be ephemeral, but research of similarly formed islands in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina suggests that as long as the site persists, it will be highly desirable habitat for years to come. Today, Horseshoe Island is one of the most critically important areas for birds in the State of New Jersey. In February 2022, The Tidelands Resource Council voted to assign management rights of Horseshoe Island to the NJFW and the USFWS, including a seasonal closure of March 1-September 30 for a period of 5 years. Biologists will survey and study bird use of the site to share information in the future.​

... from the Management Plan attached.

Google Maps link to the site -- Google Maps

 

[fashionfobie]

Coastal birds are some of the most at risk birds in the world. This is a fantastic plan.