Guess who’s back, back again? The Piping Plover are back! Tell a friend! Starting on April 1st, many beaches in Maine have very specific Dog Rules to protect these endangered tiny, sandy, grayish brown birds with white bellies, that bring delight as they scurry along the beaches. In the past Angel Chuck Billy has asked all of our friends to take the Piping Plover Pup Pledge, to keep them safe while also ensuring that dogs continue to be welcome on Maine beaches. For you see if only just a few dogs disobey the rules, we could all be banned from the beaches!
However, Chuck Billy’s posts can be rather long and hard to remember, especially when out enjoying a day at the beach. So I’m trying a new approach! I wrote a song that will hopefully help remind you to be respectful of our little fathered friends. This tune is loosely a parody of Eminem’s “Without You.”
Guess who’s back, back again?
Plovers back, tell a friend!
Plovers back, Plovers back
Plovers back, Plovers back
Plovers back, Plovers back
Plovers back!
The Piping Plover nest on the dune side,
On the dune side, on the dune side
The Piping Plover nest on the dune side,
On the dune side, on the dune side
Little shore birds have migrated back
And it is on the beaches they decide to unpack
They lay itty bitty eggs that are hard to see
But remember they don’t lay them near the sea!
Dogs, stay on the wet sand
And we won’t get banned
You’ve got to stay tethered
Even in the nice weather
And whatever you do, don’t give chase
Or the humans will make us leave in disgrace
While I’m at it, pick up the pet waste
Never use the excuse the bag’s been misplaced
‘Cause we all need to keep things nice and clean
Without causing a scene
Or humans can say we are being mean!
We can all be friends on the beach
Now get out there and help teach!
Plovers back, Plovers back
Plovers back, Plovers back
Plovers back, Plovers back
Plovers back, tell a friend!
Alright, I repeat this parody is only loosely based on the original Eminem song. But I hope it is enough of an earworm to help dogs remember to follow the beach rules and keep our Piping Plover friends safe this summer!
For more information on the dog rules, please check with the beach you are planning to visit. For more information about these endangered birds, visit Maine.gov and AllAboutBirds.org.
