On Mon, 7 Aug 1995, David B. Wright responded to my post about the spit on
the south edge of the tidal lagoon at the Ocean Shores game range (also
known as Oyhut Spit at Oyhut Sink):

"Actually, it is not marked *at all* with closure signs. One can walk
there simply by following the shoreline. ...[snip]... How in the world can
you expect anyone to know the spit is closed?"

An excellent question. One way is to post the information to Tweeters.
Another is to drive pilings into the intertidal zone so signs can be
posted at "the" shoreline. The first of these methods is easy and costs
very little. The second is far more complicated and expensive (and
controversial).

> Other shorebirds on the Oyhut Wildlife Area (game range) can be viewed
> by accessing the spit from the treatment plant
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"So is the spit closed or not? (cf. your above statement; there is only
one spit on the game range."

I wish I could draw a picture! Walking/wading/swimming onto the spit
from the west end is okay. There should be another line of signs cutting
across the spit part way along its length. So *most* of the spit has
restricted access during plover breeding seasons, but enough of it is
open to allow some access to the other shorebird viewing spots.

"I have no problem with judicious closure of plover nesting areas."

And I sincerely hope you are not in the minority.

I know most birders going to this area at this time of year are looking
for a variety of shorebirds, but those interested specifically in snowy
plovers can see them with almost no walking in sand. The other day I
parked at the entry parking area (the one at the gate), walked across the
road and over the driftwood, stopped at the closure sign line, and scoped
the barrenness. In a half hour I saw 2 adults (not a pair) and 3
2-week-old chicks. My foreknowledge was limited. I knew plovers would be
present, but the specific area to look was unknown. In fact, snowy plovers
with broods often travel long distances (I'm talkin' miles here), so they
could turn up almost anywhere. Unfortunately, appropriate habitat is
extremely limited, so most plovers that nest at Damon Point or Oyhut Spit
generally stick around.

To reiterate the importance of closures: the Snowy Plover is a State
Endangered species and the Pacific coast population of the Western Snowy
Plover is a Federally Threatened species. The number of Washington nests
from which young depart is in the single digits. The few young that hatch
must contend with crows, ravens, harriers, and gulls, as well as human
beings and their dogs.

A state recovery plan for the species is available by request.

Scott Richardson
Olympia
richasar at dfw.wa.gov