Anthropogenic disturbances do not affect the abundance of shorebirds on Long Island Sound beaches

Abstract

The increase of the human population on beaches changes the behavior of the avian populations. This study tests if human disturbance will have a negative effect on the abundance of the shorebird populations. Surveys conducted at four beach sites. Each site was surveyed 5-8 times for a total of one hour by walking from the end of the beach to the other counting individual birds and humans. The data do not suggest anthropogenic disturbances affected how the birds used the beach, where they chose to congregate, and overall behavior.