Piping plover mortalities caused by off-road vehicles on Atlantic coast beaches

Voluntary reporting of incidents of piping plover mortality showed that motorized off-road vehicles (ORVs) caused mortality to 18 unfledged piping plover chicks and two adults in 14 incidents on Massachusetts and New York beaches. ORV use may be due to administrative, recreational or service reasons. The piping plover chick behavior tendency to feed along intertidal zones increased their vulnerability to such accidents. Such areas should be closed to ORVs at least a day before hatch dates to prevent chick mortality.