All plant and animal species have their own particular role to play as parts of global ecology. However, sometimes situations or conditions arise which have an impact on the ability of a species to survive and prosper. The piping plover ( Charadrius melodus melodus ) is a small migratory shorebird that returns each spring to nest on the shores of Prince Edward Island, as well as in other parts of the Atlantic Provinces and in the Magdalen Islands of Quebec. The piping plover has been listed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada ( COSEWIC ) since 1985.
The plover faces challenges common to many species in nature. For example, seasonal storms or spring tides, natural predators and the possible future effects of global warming (rising sea levels) are all limiting factors on the success of the species. However, the greatest challenge for the recovery of the species is loss of habitat, which is most often an effect of human use of beaches, including disturbance by people and their pets of nesting sites and the surrounding areas.
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Video: Plovers in a Dangerous TimeWatch the video in HD on YouTube
What are we doing to help?
2002 marked the 25th year that Parks Canada has been monitoring the plover population in this national park. This means that the information collected to date represents an impressive study on a particular species at risk. In Prince Edward Island, Parks Canada staff work closely with the Canadian Wildlife Service (see " Banding ") and the Island Nature Trust. In recent years, more of the plovers on the Island have begun to nest on beaches located outside the national park. The Island Nature Trust is responsible for monitoring and protection for plovers nesting in these areas. They achieve this through an ambitious program of piping plover guardians.
Parks Canada staff work closely with the Canadian Wildlife Service .
© Parks Canada / Barrett and MacKay, 2002
One of the reasons domestic animals are prohibited from beaches in Prince Edward Island National Park from April 1 - October 15 each year is to help ensure a more secure habitat for piping plovers (and other shore birds). Other national parks such as Kouchibouguac in New Brunswick have similar protection policies. Plover nests are so well camouflaged that people or their pets can trample them without knowing it. The perception of predators or other threats can cause plovers to expend their energy, sometimes unnecessarily, in defending their territory.
A team of "Plover Monitors" has been at work in Prince Edward Island National Park since 1982. Plover monitors in the national park begin their observations when the birds arrive around mid-April. They spend the next several months monitoring nesting sites, collecting information which becomes part of the ongoing recovery effort for plovers and their habitat.
Plover nest or "scrape" with eggs .
© Parks Canada / Barrett and MacKay, 2002
A day in the life of a Plover Monitor
While in the field, plover monitors watch for the presence of predators or tracks, evidence of human use, other shorebirds and recording weather and tide conditions. Jennifer's typical day begins at 8:00AM. She stops at the office to collect the gear she'll need; field notes, binoculars, scope, food, water, sun screen and maybe a jacket, since the coastal weather can be unpredictable. After a thirty minute walk from the closest access point, she arrives at the first nesting site. This particular morning, she is able to observe one of the plovers foraging at the edge of the water. Its mate is sitting on the nest. This nest has four eggs and has been recently covered by an exclosure. While observing, Jennifer remains still and low to the ground at a distance, enabling her to observe the nest but not cause disturbance to the birds. All appears well at this site.
The situation is not as good at the next site, located about twenty minutes walk away. The plovers are calling and running frantically on the beach. A couple have gone in the closed area to sun bathe. Jennifer approaches them and explains why they will have to leave the area. Just as they are leaving, another couple comes along in the direction of the closed area, so Jennifer waits to answer any questions they might have. These people are more aware about the plovers and had hoped to catch a glimpse of one. The birds have calmed down slightly and are feeding at the water's edge. Jennifer explains that they should not approach the birds too closely to avoid further disturbance.
Jennifer needs to count the eggs in this nest, or at least see if the nest is still there; but she doesn't want to pinpoint the exact location of the nest so that people may discover it. When no one is around, she is able to find the nest and verify that there are three eggs, although there are fox tracks within 3 metres of the nest. Jennifer will recommend the use of an exclosure at this site and will make arrangements with her coworkers to return soon to install one.
Setting up a plover exclosure. An exclosure is designed to allow plovers to come and go easily, and to keep out predators, allowing the birds an added degree of protection while nesting .
© Parks Canada / Barrett and MacKay, 2002
Banding
One of the most useful tools in the monitoring of recovery efforts for the piping plover is banding . The Canadian Wildlife Service initiated a banding program in 1998, and Prince Edward Island National Park has participated ever since. Before the band is applied, its number is recorded with the date and location. This has made it possible to gain some interesting insights into the behaviour of the plover. For example, in 2002, a female plover banded in May in Prince Edward Island was found roosting in Little Talbot Island in Florida in October!
Banding a plover .
© Parks Canada
Doing the math
In 2002, there were fewer piping plovers on beaches across Prince Edward Island (101 compared to 112 in 2001). There was an increase in the number of nesting pairs (45 compared to 41 in 2001), which means more birds found mates and built nests. Things are improving at a very slow rate. It will take time, patience and the cooperation of many individuals and groups to continue the progress of recent years.
What you can do to help:
It's easy for you to participate in the piping plover recovery effort. Ensuring an undisturbed nesting area goes a long way to fostering a successful recovery for this species at risk. If you find yourself on a beach where piping plovers are nesting you can help by respecting closed areas and by informing others about the plover and its plight.
In Prince Edward Island National Park, a sign program is used to inform and educate park users and visitors, in particular for closed areas on beaches when plovers are nesting. When visiting beaches in the park, watch for the following signs:
Watch for these types of signs when visiting beaches in the park.© Parks Canada / 2002
On beaches outside the park, this is the sign to look for:
On beaches outside the park, this is the sign to watch for .
© Parks Canada / 2002
Would you like to know more?
To learn more about the piping plover and the ongoing recovery of this endangered species, here are some interesting Internet resources:
Parks Canada - Species at Risk
( www.pc.gc.ca/speciesatrisk )
Canadian Wildlife Service
( www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca )
Government of Canada Species at Risk site
( www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca )
Island Nature Trust
( www.peisland.com/nature )
COSEWIC
( www.cosewic.gc.ca )