are meaningful steps
“ There
we can take individually
and collectively to ensure the
shorebirds will continue
to flock to our coasts.
”
major challenges. Problems caused by people include chasing
birds or getting too close and frightening them to flight—
including domestic dogs and cats! It’s not cute to let your dog
chase the shorebirds.
People within 300 feet of feeding shorebirds are a
significant contributor to decreases in foraging time. While
migrating, shorebirds have a limited period of time and
limited foraging space. So time spent avoiding a disturbance
is less time spent foraging or resting. This can interfere with
needed weight gain especially for birds that must fly over
oceans. They simply run out of energy and plunge to their
deaths, or they arrive at their nesting destination so ragged
they die there.
NK: What can we as human beings and
concerned citizens do to help ensure the birds
will continue to flock to our coasts?
MAM: There are meaningful steps we can take individually
and collectively to ensure the shorebirds will continue to flock
to our coasts:
1) Leash dogs where birds are roosting. Don’t let your dog or
child run into the flock (or too close).
2) Pick up trash on the beach. Leave only your footprints on
the sand.
3) Limit use of plastic (plastic bottles, straws, bags).
4) Don’t release balloons near the sea.
5) Recycle! As a community, band together to identify staging
areas (way stations) for shorebirds and nesting areas and
protect them.
6)Ask local vendors not to use plastic bags.
NK: What was your greatest challenge in
weaving this story?
MAM: My greatest challenge in writing this story was finding
SUMMER/FALL 2017 • VOLUME 38
the inspiration for shorebirds. I began writing a story set
against pelicans. I began rescuing pelicans and bringing them
to the Avian Conservation Center. At first, I thought I’d weave
in the threat of plastics, but I didn’t find a parallel in a human
story that inspired me. Then one day at the Center, I learned
a startling statistic: there’s been a 70 percent drop in the
population of shorebirds in North America since the 1970s.
That was the inspiration I needed.
NK: Most important lessons learned?
MAM: I develop themes from lessons I learn from the
species. For Beach House for Rent and my focus on shorebirds
I drew parallels to human stories from: a) shorebirds
migrate great distances, b) they depend on coastal areas with
sufficient habitats to feed and renourish, and c) the cyclical
nature of migration.
NK: Suggestions for your readers who fall in love
with the birds?
MAM: I was struck with how fascinating and unique each
species of shorebirds is—as well as wading birds (spoonbills,
herons, egrets) and seabirds (pelicans). I recommend one
gets a free app on the phone (Audubon, Cornell), a pair of
binoculars, and go out and have fun learning about them!
I also included canaries in this novel. I have five! I spend a
great deal of time indoors writing. Like the character Heather,
I enjoy the song. It’s bringing a bit of the outdoors in. I defy
anyone to be sad when a canary sings!
NK: Where to next? Any new topics in mind?
MAM: I have an idea for a book set in Charleston, but
honestly, I’m getting so many requests to write another
Beach House book.
What do you think? NK
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