Piping Plovers Feared Lost at Sauble Beach Nest
07/04/2012
Nine-day-old plover chick from south nest. Photo by Brendan Toews.
Distressing news from Piping Plover guardians Kim and Brendan Toews, in their latest report on the Piping Plover population at Sauble Beach, Ontario. This was sent in to us just before Canada Day.
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This morning, both adults and four nine-day-old chicks were observed foraging along the Lake Huron shoreline. When the beach became busier, the chicks and one adult moved inside the protection of the perimeter fencing while the other adult continued to forage along the water’s edge.
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All four chicks from the north nest were lost, possibly due to predation.
The chicks that were less than one week old had been observed in the morning foraging up at the berm, but by late afternoon none of the plovers were relocated, including both of the adults. The perimeter fencing and predatory nest exclosure were removed from the beach on 28 June. As of this morning, there is still no sign of any of the north nest plovers.
Being a Piping Plover guardian brings highs and lows, but volunteers like Kim and Brendan are an important part of bird conservation efforts, particularly for at-risk species like the piping plover. Read earlier reports here.
