Independence Day is a cause for remembrance and celebration. Unfortunately, celebratory fireworks can literally frighten birds to death. Although beachside fireworks shows are entertaining to people, the bursts of color and noise wreak havoc on coastal birds-especially for nesting species. After each fireworks explosion, birds panic and fly from their nests, scattering the chicks and exposing them to predators and heat until their parents return. For this reason, it is better to attend a municipal fireworks show versus deploying store-bought fireworks on the beach.