The discovery of a federally-protected shorebird nest has led officials to cancel a free summer concert series at Sandy Hook, the National Park Service said Thursday.

A Piping Plover nest was found at Sandy Hook’s Beach E last week in the same area used for the Sandy Hook Foundation summer beach concert series, according to park officials. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends a 1,000 meter buffer to protect the nest for certain activities outlined by the agency.

regulations ban any activity, including outdoor concerts, that occurs within 1,000 meters of the protected bird nest.

“In order to fulfill the park’s legal obligations and give the birds the greatest chance possible at nesting success, this year’s concert series has been cancelled,” a statement from park officials said.

“We want these special birds to thrive,” Gateway National Recreation Area Superintendent Jen Nersesian said.

Officials tried to find another location for the concerts, but could not locate a site that “meets the Foundation’s needs or the spirit of what this program has become,” according to Nersesian.

“We are disappointed right alongside our visitors, but appreciate everyone’s support in helping to save a species on the brink,” Nersesian added.

There are less than 1,879 nesting pairs of Piping Plovers along the Atlantic coast, according to wildlife officials. This year, the birds built more than 20 nests on beaches at Sandy Hook, which has had 40 to 50 percent of the nesting plover pairs in New Jersey over the past decade. Of 145 chicks from New Jersey, 59 came from nests at Sandy Hook, the park service said.

“Noise scares the birds so much they can’t focus on what they flew here to do: live on Sandy Hook for a couple of months, then move on,” the National Park Service and the Sandy Hook Foundation said in a joint statement.

“We want them to thrive and lose the moniker of being threatened,” the organizations said.

The Sandy Hook 2019 Summer Concert Series has been cancelled. This is due to the needed protection of Piping Plovers, a... Posted by Sandy Hook Foundation on Thursday, June 13, 2019

Editor’s Note: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said some information provided initially from the park service was inaccurate. This story has been updated with details about the suggested buffer zone and piping plover population.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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