Homeowners in coastal town fuming at warning against July 4 flags that could harm endangered birds

Residents of a Massachusetts coastal town say that they were warned that flying flags on their own property could violate endangered species laws, sparking outrage in the community just days before the nation’s 250th anniversary.Plum Island homeowners recently received a notice from the Town of Newbury warning that it had “become aware of the use of devices and materials intended to deter” protected shorebirds from using local beach and dune systems.The letter listed “mylar streamers, flags, [and] reflective materials” as examples of such devices.The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, goes on to caution that “activities intended to deter protected shorebirds from utilizing suitable habitat may be viewed as harassment or disruption of normal feeding, nesting, or migratory behavior,” which is prohibited under the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, and “carry significant regulatory and financial penalties.”“Non-compliance may result in state or federal enforcement actions and, thus, the Town urges residents to comply with applicable state and federal wildlife protection laws,” the notice states.Longtime residents of the beach community were stunned by the letter, interpreting the inclusion of “flags” as targeting their Independence Day celebrations.

Marc Sarkady, who has lived on the island for over 30 years, said he was outraged.“Are you serious?” Sarkady recounted his reaction, in an interview with Fox News Digital.“You’re telling me I can’t fly American flags on my property to celebrate America 250?”Sarkady said the area features roughly “ten miles of open beach” completely free of houses where birds can freely roam.“It’s a nature preserve,” he said.

“So to us, it’s like, folks, come on, be reasonable.”Town officials, however, told Fox News Digital that they are not prohibiting patriotic displays.Newbury Town Administrator Tracy Blais said that the town is “not in any way attempting to interf...