NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
May 29, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 248
For more information, contact Matthew Bailey, Wildlife Biologist, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, 302-739-9912, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Mild Memorial Weekend Weather Inspires Plovers to Re-Nest
The mild weather over Memorial Day weekend gave the piping plovers at Cape Henlopen State Park a much needed break from climate challenges, but introduced them to the floods of beachgoers that will become the norm as summer progresses.
“Thankfully, the closed areas were relatively free of intrusions and many of the plover pairs took advantage of the good weather to get down to business and to begin re-nesting,” said Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey.
Four new nests have been found at the park in the past few days bringing the total nests on the ground up to six. Currently four plover nests have been spotted at the Point and two plover nests found at Gordons Pond.
“Judging from the level of scraping and defensive behavior that are being observed, at least another two nests are expected in the next few days,” Bailey said.
In other beachnester news, American oystercatchers are being seen regularly at both Gordons Pond and the Point. The May 12 storm washed up an abundance of mussels and the oystercatchers have been feasting on them. The oystercatcher nest reported in the last update was taken by predators, but the pair is hanging in there and an oystercatcher scrape was seen on Sunday at the Point in the same general area as the taken nest.
Least terns have yet to move into their traditional nesting areas, but they are being seen regularly feeding along the shorelines and nesting is likely to commence soon.
For more information on piping plovers and volunteer plover monitor training, please contact Matt Bailey at 302-739-9912 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.
