Piping Plovers at Sauble Beach – Predators on the prowl
An update from volunteer Piping Plover Guardians Kim and Brendan Toews for July 1-6. Lots of action happened on the beach during this week!
1 July, 2010
We had numerous visitors on Canada Day.
Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The plovers were constantly on the move. Three chicks observed together while the fourth was often on its own feeding well away from the others. A fox was observed on the beach. The adult plovers did not react the first time the fox moved towards them, but the birds piped loudly when the fox approached them again later on. We hope that the plovers are able to continue to avoid this predator.
Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Switch overs were still occurring.
Additional Males: A couple of males were still in the area.
3 July, 2010
Guardians had 65 visitors in the morning and by afternoon there were 475 people counted between the 2 nests and many more beach-goers were arriving. Plovers kept within the perimeter fencing. The beach remained busy until the early morning hours.
Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Three chicks only! One chick missing, cause unknown. Possible predation by fox or merlin, as both of these natural predators have been seen in the area.
Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The pair continued to switch over.
4 July, 2010
Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Both adults inside the perimeter with the 3 chicks. This was observed a few times throughout the day. Other times the male and female switched duties. Male was observed displaying to the female. The female could depart for her wintering grounds within the week leaving the male to raise the chicks on his own.
The plovers stayed inside the perimeter area and moved north and to the shoreline all day. Brooding observed two or three times during the day. The chicks are growing rapidly and should be nearly full grown in another week. Chicks are beginning to flap their wings.
Merlin was seen in the area twice today.
Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The pair continued to incubate and switch over.
5 July, 2010
Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Only 2 chicks observed today, so presumably one chick was lost overnight. One chick is noticeably larger than the other, and the smaller one feeds some distance away from the others.
Adults gave a loud alarm call and a merlin flew through the area. Both adults were observed inside the perimeter with the chicks. The male faced the female again and flared his wings in an aggressive manner. The female should be leaving for the Gulf Coast any day now.
Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The female and male continue the incubating process.
6 July, 2010
Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The male and 2 chicks were observed resting in the wrack and feeding along the shore. The female was not seen all day. No predators seen today.
Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Less than 3 weeks for this hatch date.
Thanks once again, Kim and Brendan, for sharing this great experience with us!
Catch up on all of this year’s Endangered Piping Plover updates:
