June 30, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 223

For more information, contact Matthew Bailey, Wildlife Biologist, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, 302-382-4151, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Eight piping plover chicks take wing on the Point at Cape Henlopen

The first four piping plover pairs to nest on the Point in Cape Henlopen State Park have now fledged a total of eight chicks, Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey announced today. Three chicks being cared for by the two remaining pairs on the Point are expected to take wing for the Independence Day holiday on July 4.

The three plover pairs incubating nests at Gordons Pond suffered some harassment from crows last week, causing the birds to be away from the nest for long periods of time in the morning.  However, the last few site visits have shown no crow presence near the nests and all seems to be back to normal, Bailey said, with the first hatch expected on July 3.

For more information on beachnesters and monitoring efforts, please contact Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.