I was standing on the beach the other day minding my own business when a young bird plopped down in the sand close by.
I was near the National Wildlife Refuge so there were signs everywhere. Don’t disturb this bird: $500 fine. 6 month’s Imprisonment. All of the above.
I moved.
But a few minutes later—plop. There he was again. The little twerp had followed me.
And this time some adults came straight at me squawking like a flock of parrots. They started diving at my head, screeching and creating a commotion around me.
What is it? Hover to find out.
This wasn’t good. So I left.
Then a ways down the beach some guy comes up and starts quizzing me about the birds. Things like: did I know they were protected? And did I know they were sensitive to any disturbance?
“Oh-oh.” Bird police.
Well it turned out OK. But I admit I was nervous. All the time he was talking I just kept wondering if I was in trouble. What was this guy going to do? What should I say? What could I say?
“They started it?” :)
Boring Fact: While endangered in California, this bird is not considered threatened nationally. One of their biggest problems (besides our big feet) is the Gull-billed Tern.
