The Wood Duck swam across Plover Park’s pond as quickly as it could. The three little shorebirds were frantically trying to get his attention. Still, they were all shrieking over each other in their excitement. The poor duck couldn’t understand a word they were saying.
“YOU NEED TO LEAVE! YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED IN HERE!” the three little shorebirds screamed across the open water.
“Why not?” asked the Wood Duck, his voice tinged with confusion.
“BECAUSE THE PARK IS FOR PIPING PLOVERS ONLY! THEY KILL ALL OF THE OTHER BIRDS TO MAKE ROOM FOR THEM,” they replied.
“How do you know?” asked the Wood Duck.
“FACEBOOK!” the three little shorebirds exclaimed.
“It was in the comments section, ” added the smallest one.
But the Wood Duck was not on Facebook, so this all sounded pretty scary. Not wanting to risk it, he yeeted out of there fled the area immediately.
We could have avoided this scene had we made a greater effort to teach the world’s young birds how to consume information critically and recognize irony. How could they not see that each was attracted to, welcomed, and thriving in the Park? They were the evidence that everything they discussed wasn’t even remotely true.
And what a shame to lose such a unique visitor like the Wood Duck; the kind of special moment becoming more common each day as the habitat restoration continues to expand and improve.
Perhaps it would have helped if the Wood Duck had been on Facebook. It would probably help more if we got all the other birds off Facebook instead.
Because in the end, you can’t find the truth about the Barnegat Light habitat restoration project on Facebook.
You can only find it by visiting the Park, strolling along the inlet, and experiencing the magic for yourself!
