NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
June 2, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 251

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.

Plovers, Terns, Oystercatchers
Continue Nesting Amid Changing Weather

Like the shifting sands on which they nest, Cape Henlopen’s piping plovers, terns and oystercatchers are adjusting to the changing conditions out on the beaches, with rainfall, sun, wind and temperatures varying widely from day to day.

Last week, heavy rains and flooding on the Point washed out three of six piping plover nests, leaving one on the Point and two at Gordons Pond. Those three nests remain active, with one in each location due to hatch this week.

A new nest was found on the Point Friday evening, May 29. This nest represents a new plover pair, bringing the total number of confirmed pairs up to seven. In addition, the three pairs that had their nests washed out are scraping and defending territories and are expected to renest soon.

In other beachnester news, the least tern colony at Gordons Pond has been lost, with heavy rains erasing any possible clues. No terns have been observed defending the former colony site.

However, on June 1, a one-egg least tern nest was found at the Point. In addition to the two terns defending this nest, about eight other terns were in the vicinity, indicating the possibility that the Gordons Pond colony may shift up to the Point.

Meanwhile, the oystercatcher pair that has been incubating a nest out on the Point is holding steady. During last week’s storm, the tides reached as high as the nest, but, fortunately, the nest is built on a slight hummock, allowing water to run on both sides of the nest while leaving it intact.