April 11, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 153

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. 

Piping Plovers Brave Bad Weather,
Settle in for Breeding Season at Cape Henlopen

Delaware’s piping plovers have weathered the gray skies and high waters sent their way over the past weeks and seem to be getting back into gear for the breeding season. On the evening of April 8, 11 piping plovers were seen feeding on the tidal flats at the Point at Cape Henlopen. The next day down at Gordons Pond, numerous plovers were heard through the dense fog - visibility less than 200 feet - but none were seen. 

April 7 brought a new moon, the phase associated with the highest tides. The tides that day were coupled with strong easterly winds which made for conditions that flooded out most of the overwash areas where the plovers typically nest.  

However, around the perimeter of the flooded areas, evidence of plovers having begun territorial activity could be seen. Tracks left by a pair of plovers doing a mating display were observed at Gordons Pond and scrapes (practice nests) were found at both the Point and Gordons Pond. 

Fowlers Beach, Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve and Delaware Seashore State Park’s beach from Tower Road to Conquest Road have all been surveyed for piping plovers in the last week with no sightings reported. All three had reports of piping plover presence earlier in March, so it remains to be seen if last week’s lack of sightings is due to the harsh weather or due to the possibility that plovers that were previously sighted were migrating through Delaware and have moved on to more northerly beaches.

In preparation for the annual human migration out to the beach, an orientation/training session for volunteers interested in helping to protect the plovers’ nesting areas will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 3 at Cape Henlopen State Park’s Biden Center. 

For more information on piping plovers and volunteer training, please contact Matt Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.