https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article289275480.html
BY HELENA WEGNER JUNE 14, 2024 10:06 AM Someone drove through a western snowy plover nest in Grayland Beach State Park, ruining a nest, officials said. A cracked and nonviable egg is seen at the bottom of the photo. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife A driver ignored signs when they drove through dunes on a beach in Washington and ran over a threatened species’ nest, officials said. Now, wildlife officials are warning others to pay attention to signs posted at beaches. TOP VIDEOS The driver destroyed a western snowy plover nest at the Grayland Beach State Park in Pacific County, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a June 13 Facebook post. One egg was completely smashed and another egg was left “cracked and non-viable,” wildlife officials said. “Quick reminder that if you see signs saying not to drive on the beach … please don’t drive on the beach,” officials said in the post. Western snowy plovers have brown or grayish coloring with a white underside and a black bill. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE WESTERN SNOWY PLOVER The small shorebird is about 6 inches long with brown or grayish coloring and a white underside with a black bill. It has been listed as an endangered species at a state level with fewer than 100 breeding adults in Washington as of 2023, the wildlife agency said. Snowy plovers were also listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because of its small population, the birds are vulnerable to threats, including predators, weather, beach erosion and recreational activities. To keep their eggs protected from predators, the birds lay speckled eggs that help camouflage them in the open sand. They also spend “their entire lives between the dune line and the high-tide line,” officials said. This makes it particularly important for beachgoers to pay attention to signs and closures on beaches that warn of nesting areas, so the western snowy plover and their nests are not disturbed, per the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. They breed from mid-April to mid-September. The snowy plover breeds along the Pacific Coast from Washington to northwestern Mexico, officials said. However, in Washington, they are only found in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties, officials said. Snowy plovers lay speckled eggs, which help hide them from predators but also make it difficult for beachgoers to see. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife READ NEXT CALIFORNIA Group illegally drove over protected beach home of threatened species, CA officials say JANUARY 12, 2024 3:17 PM
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The Extinction Chronicles 
I do not believe any beaches anywhere should be open to cars; what is the point of allowing cars on beaches? Oregon lets drivers drive on some beaches that have access, and I have seen cars on beaches there. It should only be for wildlife officials or ambulances. I do love it when cars get stuck in the sand…it’s kind of a beach “screw you”.
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These types of people, who care nothing for anything else but themselves and their rights being ‘more important’, must be fined or something done. For whatever reason, it is worse than ever – just look what happens in Yellowstone, despite countless warnings and so-called education.
I agree, there’s no reason to have vehicles on a beach, it’s too destructive. And ah’s like this – what can you say?
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