The Town of Wells has received several inquiries regarding the status of beach maintenance and beach raking this Summer. Beach maintenance has been impacted by the presence of Piping Plovers, which are a federally protected species as well as endangered in the state of Maine. Piping Plovers are present on Wells beaches from the time they arrive to nest, in April, until the chicks have hatched and fledged, in mid to late July. During this time, beach maintenance is postponed in order to protect the plovers, give them space to hatch, and increase their chance of survival.
Currently, there are only a few chicks remaining on Wells Beaches, but there are migrating plovers that stop to feed and rest. These plovers need protection, so that they can successfully continue their migration South. Now that the chicks have fledged, Wells is able to continue its beach maintenance efforts, being mindful of any visiting plovers still present.
We thank our beach goers for their patience as we work to keep these endangered birds a priority. Rest assured, our raking and maintenance will resume this month, and we hope you enjoy the remainder of your Summer.
If you are curious about the status of other Public Works projects, you can read an update from the Wells Director of Public Works in our August Newsletter.