NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
July 1, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 293
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 hatch new chicks, lose two nests at Cape Henlopen
With one nest newly hatched and another flooded out, piping plover monitors have reported good news and bad news from the Point on Cape Henlopen this week.
The good news: plover monitors on the Point Monday spotted two just-hatched chicks with one remaining egg.
“It’s possible the fourth chick may have been hiding in the grass nearby. After observing the chicks, our monitor moved on quickly to let the parents care for them,” said Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey.
The bad news: New moon tides washed out the Point’s newest nest last week – the second time for this plover pair, who lost their first nest to a storm in May. Monitors sadly reported that the eggs were still in the nest under six inches of water.
“However, the adult plovers were still defending the nest area, so it is possible that they will attempt to nest yet again,” Bailey said.
Two additional nests remain on the Point with plover pairs incubating their eggs. Monitors are also watching one chick expected to fledge this week.
Meanwhile, there’s more good news and bad news at Gordons Pond. The newest nest has been lost to suspected predators, but again, there’s reason for optimism.
“The adults have been busily scraping since and even doing broken wing displays in the area, indicating they are likely to renest,” Bailey said.
Monitors have been observing two additional plover families at Gordons Pond. Two plover chicks hatched June 15 are growing rapidly under the watchful eyes of their parents, while monitors have been keeping their eyes peeled for another chick hatched June 4.
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.
