Sept. 3, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 305

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.

Plover season winds down, seabeach amaranth findings up

The piping plover breeding season has drawn to a close in Delaware. Piping plovers are still being seen on Delaware beaches but at this point the small shorebirds could be plovers that nested here in Delaware or migrants from another state or province. 

“The piping plovers that did breed in Delaware did very well in 2010. Of the nine pairs that nested at Cape Henlopen State Park, 14 chicks were fledged, matching the previous annual record since frequent monitoring was begun in the early 1990s,” said Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey.

As has been the case in previous years, the ocean side beach at the Point at Cape Henlopen reopened on Sept. 1. The bay side of the Point will remain closed until Oct. 1 to give refuge to the many species of migratory birds that pass through Delaware on their way to overwintering grounds to the south.

Although the beachnesting bird breeding season has ended, surveys for seabeach amaranth are continuing. Seabeach amaranth is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.  Searches of likely amaranth habitat are conducted in Delaware three times a year: late July, mid-August and late August/early September.

“Early searches for amaranth turned up only three plants, all at Cape Henlopen. However, a survey done at Delaware Seashore State Park on Aug. 26 turned up 25 new seabeach amaranth plants,” said Bailey.

All of the known amaranth plants are inside areas that are fenced and posted as being closed to entry. “Since some of the amaranth plants that have been found are only about the size of a dime in diameter, they can be very hard to see – and very easy to step on – so it is important for people to stay outside of any area that has been posted as closed,” Bailey added.

“With Hurricane Earl due to arrive today, we will be keeping our fingers crossed that any seabeach amaranth that is out on our beaches will not be swept away before it has a chance to set seed,” Bailey said. “Of the amaranth plants that have been found so far in 2010, none have yet progressed past the flower stage, so, viable seeds have not had time to develop yet.”

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.