May 26, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 240

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 Busy Incubating Six Nests, More Expected

Warm, sunny weather made for a busy holiday weekend for beachnesters as well as vacationers, with six pairs of piping plovers incubating full nests of four eggs each, two at Gordons Pond and four on the Point. Hatches are expected at both sites in the first few days of June.

“In addition, pairs of plovers that haven’t nested yet have been observed setting up territories at both Gordons Pond and the Point,” said Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey, noting a great turn-out of volunteers were on hand over the weekend to chat with curious beachgoers about the tiny endangered birds and their nesting habitat.

In other beachnester news, least terns have been arriving in force over the last two weeks, with their chattering calls filling the air over the beaches and courting behavior occurring in nesting areas where the birds are starting to occupy colonies. More than 20 terns are defending an area on the ocean beach at Gordons Pond.

“At least three tern nests are already on the ground at Gordons Pond, with beginning signs of nesting also occurring at the Point,” Bailey said.

Reports from Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on the Delaware Bay show least terns nesting at Fowlers Beach. A pair of least terns also have been reported defending an area at Beach Plum Nature Preserve, but no nests have been spotted as of yet.

Although a nest was lost last week at Gordons Pond, American oystercatchers are settling into nests in other locations, with one containing three eggs spotted on Saturday at the Point. Nests have also been reported at Mispillion Harbor and Fowlers Beach. In addition, several pairs are believed to be nesting at Middle Island in the Inland Bays.

“Almost certainly there are other oystercatcher nests in Delaware. Many of the sites where oystercatchers nest are in remote marsh areas where surveys are not necessarily conducted every year,” Bailey added, noting most oystercatcher observations are made in the course of surveys for nesting plovers and terns.           

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.