Hampton Beach Piping Plover Update
Status Period: 7/6/26-7/13/26
Overview – No significant changes since last update pertaining to firework events. We continue to have active piping plovers in all 3 zones. In the northern zone, unfledged young continue to be present. In the central zone, incubating adults continue to be present on eggs; in the southern zone, incubating adult plovers and least terns and unfledged young of plovers and terns present. Closure areas continue to be recommended as previously identified for firework events.
Plover Nest Status within each of the Hampton Beach Zones:
[NOTE: Once chicks hatch, they are highly mobile. While the parents will continue to provide care and will still return to their nest for a short period following when they hatch, they will move throughout the beach in search of food and safe structures. As such, chick movement will be between all zones of the beach.
- North Zone (North of northern jetty/ Church Street): Unfledged Chicks Present; 2 nests hatched previously (8 chicks hatched; remaining current number of young being assessed but at least one chick believed to be unaccounted for). Chicks observed to be moving throughout the north jetty area, as well as just south of the north jetty.
- Central Zone (Church Street – Haverhill Ave): 1 active nest continues. Adults incubating.
- Nest expected to hatch any day. Further guidance may be provided once nest hatches and chick movement is assessed.
- Southern Zone (South of Haverhill Ave): Active nests and unfledged plover young are present throughout southern zone and actively moving between areas outside of protective fencing. Some young have been lost over the preceding couple weeks.
- On July 8, during the day (day of but prior to the fireworks event), a piping plover chick was found dead within one of the protective fencing areas south of Haverhill street. A least tern chick was also discovered dead within a nearby beach access section south of Haverhill Street (near Bradford Street). Both chicks were collected and submitted to UNH Diagnostic lab for necropsy. Results pending.
Note – Chicks are very vulnerable and mobile within and outside of fenced exclosures. NHFG will continue to monitor the chicks through when they fledge (i.e., are able to fly) which is typically within 35 days of the date in which they hatch. Protective fencing will remain in place post-hatch until young fledge or no longer use area. Fencing will be adjusted as needed.
Other Species:
- Least terns (a state endangered bird that nests on beaches with piping plovers). Many nests have hatched and chicks are present in protective fenced areas south of Haverhill Street.
Firework Events:
- NHFG coordinated with DNCR and Town of Hampton regarding guidance for July fireworks events.
- Town fireworks event occurred on July 8 from Hampton beach.
- Two NHFG conservation officers monitored plover restricted areas for compliance during event.
- Two NHFG biological monitors observed plovers on the July 8 event and continued monitoring plovers within these areas before and after the event. Monitoring observations not included here.
- DNCR staff set up additional protective plover fencing in two areas, cleared people from those areas, and assisted with site compliance.
- The Town of Hampton is planning firework events for each Wednesday for remainder of summer including upcoming events on July 15, 22, 29.
- NHFG guidance provided for fireworks continues to be recommended until further notice as nesting plovers and unfledged young remain.
- NHFG will continue to provide monitoring and law enforcement staff as capacity and funding allow. We are scheduled to provide 2 biological monitors and 2 conservation officers through next week which have been focused on monitoring the central and southern nests.
- We request that DNCR and/or Hampton police continue to provide compliance enforcement in northern closure area (closed stairways and access north of rock jetty).
Outreach:
- Piping plover biologists continue to provide outreach to beach users while conducting monitoring activities and distribute newly developed piping plover rack card.
Other
- NHFG biological and law enforcement staff coordinated on potential violations.
- NHFG continues to work with HBSP regarding beach maintenance, public messaging and general updates as warranted throughout the week.Hampton Beach Zones:North Zone: North of northern jetty/ Church Street (~225 meters in length):
Central Zone: Church Street – Haverhill Ave (the seashell building is approximately center; ~1,400 meters in length):
Southern Zone: South of Haverhill Ave (~750 meters):
