The East Hampton Towns Endangered Species Programs goal is to provide the greatest use to the public for the longest period of time while still ensuring the required protection. We are entrusted with monitoring, collecting data, and protecting nests and chicks of the NYS endangered/federally threatened Piping Plover and NYS threatened Least Tern on all East Hampton Town lands.

The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange legs, a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black ring around the neck. This chest band is usually thicker in males during the breeding season, and it's the only reliable way to tell the sexes apart. It is difficult to see when standing still as it blends well with open, sandy beach habitats. It typically runs in short starts and stops.