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Browsing posts tagged with: piping plovers

Piping Plovers Return Early to Southern Maine

Posted on: Thursday, April 11th, 2013

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Maine Audubon asks beach goers and beachfront landowners to be aware of nesting plovers

Maine Audubon reported today that several piping plover nesting pairs have returned to southern Maine beaches. All beachgoers and beachfront landowners along the coast should be aware of nesting plovers, but particular caution is required at beaches where pairs are currently active, including Fortunes Rock Beach (Biddeford), Goose Rocks Beach (Kennebunkport), Ogunquit Beach, Wells Beach and beaches in Kennebunk.

Piping plovers are listed as an endangered species in Maine and are threatened under federal law. Plovers nest in front of sand dunes on the upper beach and are vulnerable to natural predators, roaming pets, storms and human disturbance. Maine Audubon encourages beachgoers and landowners to reduce human-caused mortality of plovers by leaving y our pets at home when you go to the beach, staying away from roped off plover areas and to watch where you are walking on the beach, to avoid stepping on nests.

If you find a plover nest, or would like to volunteer for the Piping Plover Project, please contact Laura Minich Zitske at lzitske@maineaudubon.org or (207) 781-2330 x226.

RestrictedArea-PIPL-signLearn more about Maine Audubon’s Piping Plover Project:
Traczie Bellinger, Maine Audubon seasonal biologist, will show a short video and slide show about the Piping Plover Project at several locations throughout southern Maine this spring:
  • April 16, time TBD, York Public Library
  • April 25, 6:30pm, Scarborough Public Library
  • May 9, 6pm, Biddeford Library
 

Piping Plover Outreach

Posted on: Monday, August 20th, 2012

In addition to management and other activities in the field, outreach is a critical component of the Piping Plover and Least Tern Recovery Project. Our team regularly organizes outreach sessions to talk with beachgoers, beach residents/landowners, local beach associations, lifeguards, police, school kids and others. The goal of our outreach program is to educate people about Piping Plovers on their local beaches–we tell them about the biology of the birds, the challenges they face, and what we can all do to help protect them.

In July and August, our team talked with two groups of elementary and preschool children at the Goose Rocks Beach Association summer camp. About 70 curious kids attended and showed a lot of enthusiasm for learning about these birds. Their questions were very astute, like “why do plovers pretend to have a broken wing when approached by people?”  During the most recent session, kids enjoyed creating their own Piping Plover chicks made out of cotton balls and dry spaghetti (see photos). They also played a game to learn more about where plovers live, what they eat, and what likes to eat them. At the end of the sessions we handed out cool Piping Plover temporary tattoos. The first session was such a hit, that they requested another session the following month!

In addition to the above efforts, our team also regularly sets up a table near beaches where plovers nest to talk more informally with beachgoers about the birds.

So far this summer the Maine Audubon team has talked to over 3,700 people about Maine’s Piping Plovers. We are looking forward to continuing outreach activities next season and we encourage private associations and other groups whose activities are related to conservation or environmental education to contact us to organize educational talks and activities.

Written by Erik Ndayishimiye

 

Heavy rain, and a heavy burden on piping plovers

Posted on: Friday, June 8th, 2012
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Typical "exclosure" for protecting a piping plover nesting area

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Storm damage to a piping plover protected nesting area

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Storm damage to a piping plover protected nesting area

Typical "exclosure" for protecting a piping plover nesting areaStorm damage to a piping plover protected nesting areaStorm damage to a piping plover protected nesting area

This past weekend was a difficult one for nesting piping plovers in southern and mid-coast Maine. The high tides and rain storms washed out many of the nests, burying eggs under the sand.

Following an early Spring, this year’s nesting season started earlier than usual given the birds a great head start. Recent weather events came at a time when some of the nests had already hatched, but many nests were due to hatch in the next couple of days. So far we are not aware of any casualties among the adult plovers, however we believe that at least 15 chicks were lost with the inclement weather. Only 5 nests remained intact in the State after the weekend weather, while 22 nests were lost from Ogunquit to Georgetown.

Piping Plovers have been known to renest after the 1st nesting attempt has failed and since it is still early in the season, we are hopeful that at least some of the birds will renest, but even so, they face additional challenges since those who renest will be incubating and tending chicks in the middle of the summer when beaches are more crowded.

Right now we are working hard to remove fallen exclosures and assess damage; we will keep you posted on our progress. We also encourage anyone who has any information about possible dead plover chicks or new nesting activity to contact us.

This is a good reminder of how fragile and vulnerable Piping Plovers are. We thank the beachgoers who respect our requests to stay away from nesting areas and keep their dogs on leash. We welcome and appreciate any questions you may have for us. After this recent weather setback, we really need everyone’s cooperation and assistance in order to help these birds overcome this hurdle and be successful this season. With just about 40 pairs now, more than ever, every egg counts!

Written by Erik Ndayishimiye

 

Maine Audubon Urges Kennebunkport to Approve Consumer Fireworks Ban

Posted on: Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

“Yes” vote on Question 6 on June 12 ballot would protect endangered piping plovers in critical habitat

Maine Audubon is urging Kennebunkport residents to vote “yes” on Question 6 on next Tuesday’s municipal ballot in an effort to protect piping plovers, a migratory bird species of which there are only 43 known nesting pairs in the state.

Of the few sandy beaches along the Maine coast, the ones in York County and in particular around Kennebunkport are critical nesting locations for piping plovers. A “yes” vote would ban the sale and use of consumer fireworks by individuals in the town. (more…)