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Jersey Shore Community Moving Weekly Beach Fireworks Show To Accommodate Endangered Birds

POINT PLEASANT, N.J. (CBS/AP) — An Ocean County shore community has moved its weekly beach fireworks show to accommodate endangered birds nesting and hatching there. More than 150 pairs of American oystercatchers, least terns, and black skimmers have successively laid eggs near Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant.

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So officials have moved the weekly summer fireworks shows, which started Thursday, to an area south of where the birds are located.

oystercatcher
An oystercatcher hunts for food along the beach of Sandy Hook on July 12, 2018 near Middletown, New Jersey. (Photo by Don EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

The nesting and hatching area has been roped off and aquarium employees are monitoring the birds at least twice a day. Some birds have already nested and hatched, while others have just started to nest.

Officials estimate the birds will be around for at least another six weeks.

Aquarium officials say visitors are encouraged to observe the birds.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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