Federal investigators offer $5K reward for info on destruction, removal of protected shorebird eggs, nests

The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to a conviction in what they're calling the intentional destruction of shorebird nests and at least one egg in incidents stretching from Queens to Southampton.

News 12 Staff

Aug 9, 2022, 4:39 PM

Updated 622 days ago

Share:

Federal investigators offer $5K reward for info on destruction, removal of protected shorebird eggs, nests
The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to a conviction in what they're calling the intentional destruction of shorebird nests and at least one egg in incidents stretching from Queens to Southampton.
The agencies say the incidents happened between May 13 and July 6.
Several incidents took place in the area of Arverne in Queens, officials say. From May 13 to May 15, the agencies say approximately 57 American oystercatcher eggs and four piping plover eggs were taken from nests at Beach 38 and Beach 57. A blue hooded sweatshirt with a star pattern was found next to oystercatcher eggshells in that incident. A dead piping plover adult was then found at Beach 47 on May 15, and two oystercatcher nests were tampered with at Beach 64 around May 20. Protective fencing was destroyed and people were seen putting up tents in the piping plover breeding areas of Beach 56.5 on June 11 - three eggs went missing from a piping plover nest.
A destroyed oystercatcher egg was found around July 6 at the border of Breezy Point Co-Operative and Gateway National Recreation Area's Breezy Point Unit in Rockaway Point.
The Long Island incidents happened in May and June at Robert Moses State Park, Jones Beach State Park and an ocean beach in the Town of Southampton. A piping plover nest and a predator exclosure were destroyed at Robert Moses between May 23 and 24. Two piping plover nests and predator exclosures were destroyed at Jones Beach between June 11 and 14. Unleased dogs were seen June 26 near a piping plover breeding area at an ocean beach east of Shinnecock East County Park on June 26, and eggs were taken at that time.
The American oystercatcher is protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, with penalties of $15,000 and/or up to six months for each egg. The piping plover is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, with maximum penalties of $25,000 and/or up to six months for  each egg or bird.
Anyone with information about the July 6 egg incident is asked to contact Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Kathryn McCabe at 516-318-7383, the National Park Service's Jamaica Bay Unit 24-hour dispatch at 718-354-4700 or 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477). Anyone with information on the other incidents can contact McCabe at 516-825-3950 or 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477).
Click HERE for more info.


More from News 12
0:31
President Joe Biden to visit Village of Irvington for celebrity fundraiser

President Joe Biden to visit Village of Irvington for celebrity fundraiser

2:39
Mary J. Blige’s Road to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame started in Yonkers public housing

Mary J. Blige’s Road to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame started in Yonkers public housing

2:06
Frost and freeze concerns overnight, glorious Tuesday with temps in the 60s

Frost and freeze concerns overnight, glorious Tuesday with temps in the 60s

2:04
‘She wore her uniform proudly.’ Westchester COBA mourns late officer Eleanor Birrittella

‘She wore her uniform proudly.’ Westchester COBA mourns late officer Eleanor Birrittella

2:19
Turn to Tara team looks at new domestic violence laws implemented across tri-state following NJ murder-suicide

Turn to Tara team looks at new domestic violence laws implemented across tri-state following NJ murder-suicide

1:45
West Point’s Keller Army Hospital, Hudson Valley VA form partnership to expand access

West Point’s Keller Army Hospital, Hudson Valley VA form partnership to expand access

1:56
Armonk twins showcase baking skills for Passover

Armonk twins showcase baking skills for Passover

0:21
Orange County man killed in Sullivan County motorcycle crash

Orange County man killed in Sullivan County motorcycle crash

0:36
Yonkers native Mary J. Blige, Queens hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest selected for Rock Hall of Fame

Yonkers native Mary J. Blige, Queens hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest selected for Rock Hall of Fame

0:38
Better Than Ezra to headline Pleasantville Music Festival this summer

Better Than Ezra to headline Pleasantville Music Festival this summer

0:39
Slithering success: NY Metro Reptile Expo draws crowds to Westchester County Center

Slithering success: NY Metro Reptile Expo draws crowds to Westchester County Center

0:58
Headlines: Shooting in Poughkeepsie, New Rochelle assault, shooting threat in Beacon

Headlines: Shooting in Poughkeepsie, New Rochelle assault, shooting threat in Beacon

0:19
Traffic Alert: Gilchrest Road closed for construction upgrades in Valley Cottage

Traffic Alert: Gilchrest Road closed for construction upgrades in Valley Cottage

1:29
$3 million road construction project could impact drivers in Nanuet

$3 million road construction project could impact drivers in Nanuet

0:29
Fishkill police rescue quartet of ducklings from storm drain drama

Fishkill police rescue quartet of ducklings from storm drain drama

0:28
Yonkers volunteers clean up Old Croton Aqueduct trail in honor of Earth Week

Yonkers volunteers clean up Old Croton Aqueduct trail in honor of Earth Week

0:34
Hundreds rally in Newburgh to support Habitat for Humanity

Hundreds rally in Newburgh to support Habitat for Humanity

0:39
Local musicians compete for spots at Pleasantville Music Festival

Local musicians compete for spots at Pleasantville Music Festival

0:21
Fire crews contain transformer fire at Jackie Jones Tower

Fire crews contain transformer fire at Jackie Jones Tower

0:20
Port Jervis welcomes Azure Candle & Co with grand opening event

Port Jervis welcomes Azure Candle & Co with grand opening event