To the Editor:
I know I say this often, but this latest edition of the Sun is excellent. It is full of articles of interest.
Usually I can work my way through the paper in one sitting, but this time I am still reading some of the articles. This is what a local paper should be.
You and all of the staff and writers should be proud of the product you produce.
Richard Hammes
Hilton Head Island
To the Editor:
Yay! The sea turtles are returning to Hilton Head Island!
At the same time, some shore birds are leaving for upper or outer regions to nest. Some may wish to stay here, but there is too much human activity on our beaches for birds to find a peaceful place to raise their kids.
One potential beach habitat is the spit on Port Royal Plantation shore near Fish Haul, a popular bird hangout. In mid-April the horseshoe crabs laid thousands of nutritious eggs there, gobbled up by threatened red knots and piping plovers, among others, who stop over on Hilton Head to refuel for their arduous journeys north to nest. The birds were constantly disturbed by beachgoers.
A meager area is posted there, vertically, to cordon off a tiny dune area – a poor configuration and unused. Perhaps a better idea would be to arrange the posts horizontally across the point to protect the entire small spit so the winter and summer birds can live undisturbed. The beach extends for miles. People can go the other way.
I discovered a willet nest there last spring, but it was trampled. This April I saw four Wilson plovers who are potential nesters there, if protected. But unlike some other coastal communities, nesting shorebirds are virtually ignored here.
Cannot we humans share a portion of the beach with the birds? We recreate there and then go home. The beach is their home and they are fast running out of space. Where will they go?
Debby Boots
Hilton Head Island
