Good Morning PiPl Ambassadors!

A pea soup foggy morning and Marshmallow was snuggling with Dad within the protected area when I arrived, where they stayed for quite some time.

I filled two trash bags, mostly with empty beer bottles and cans etc., many within the roped off area. So disappointed to see people partying inside the roping. I left briefly to run home to pick up 2 more trash bags and when I arrived the beach raker was driving alongside the roping, going the length of the beach. I spoke with him, but hope so much for next year the City will be amenable to creating a much safer raking plan and the lines of communication will include all rakers. The rakers have their hands full, the beach was an absolute pigpen this morning, and I am in no way criticizing the hard work they do everyday. We just need much better communication I think between all parties.

Two more of the large sized heavy duty trash bags were filled to the brim. That is four bags  too many, from one very small section of the beach.

I couldn’t find the pair within the enclosure when I arrived the second time, but after a bit, did find Dad and Marshmallow down at the Creek. I left just before 8 and didn’t see my replacement but know they are fairly safe at the Creek at this hour of the day.

I understand from several monitors that during their afternoon shifts there have been incidences this past week with a group of middle school age boys seriously harassing, and possibly even intentionally trying to harm Dad and the Chick. After insuring the two are safe, it is absolutely imperative that we call the Gloucester Police main number at 978-283-1212 (please put this number in favorites or speed dial on your phone, if you have not already done so) and speak with an officer so that at the very least, a report is filed. Even if the boys have skedaddled, it is so important to let the police know what is happening and that there is a record of the incident. The City does not want to loose a PiPl by harassment, that would be considered a “take’ by the endangered species laws and we would receive a very substantial fine, possibly in the tens of thousands of dollars.

If you do see a person harming the PiPls, please stay with the bird and please call me immediately. We will get medical attention to the PiPl asap. Please also take as much photographic evidence as possible. We can not touch an injured bird, but we can phone my friend who in the past has been allowed to handle endangered and threatened wildlife. This is a worst case scenario I know, but as the harassment has been going on for several days we need to talk about this.

It’s going to be a super busy beautiful weekend. Please call if you need help in anyway. Thank you for all you are doing to help our GHB PiPls thrive!

xxKim