May 4, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 201

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.

Plucky Piping Plovers Begin Nesting in Rainy Weather

Although the rain, wind and cooler temperatures have somewhat slowed the start of Delaware’s beachnester nesting season, piping plover monitors have spotted the first three nests of the year at Cape Henlopen State Park. In addition to these three nests, three more piping plover pairs also have set up territories in the park.

The first nest was found on the Point on Friday afternoon, May 1. A male plover was seen within 15 feet of the nest, but other than refusing to fly away when approached, it showed no defensive behavior. The second nest was discovered on the mud flats beside Gordons Pond Saturday afternoon, May 2. Both a male and a female plover were in the vicinity of the nest. The male defended the nest vigorously, peeping loudly and doing a broken-wing display in an attempt to draw the plover monitor away from the nest. A third nest was discovered just this morning, May 4, on the Point.

“This afternoon, Americorps volunteers helped put up protective fencing to safeguard the Gordons Pond nesting area, and we will be watching closely for more nests,” said Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey. “However, the wet and windy weather has hampered nest searching efforts so far this season, wiping away tracks and nest scrapes and making it very difficult to determine where plovers have set up territories. All three of the recent nest finds were the result of the plovers hanging tight to an area as monitors approached them,” Bailey added.

In other beachnester news, American oystercatchers are being regularly observed at both the Point and at Gordons Pond.  Nest scrapes made by oystercatchers have been found at both locations, but more birds are being observed feeding along shorelines than in the nesting habitats.  “Hopefully, the oystercatchers will begin laying eggs in the near future,” Bailey said.

Volunteers interested in joining DNREC’s beachnester monitoring team are invited to a free training session at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Biden Center at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. Preregistration is encouraged. Park entrance fees will be waived for volunteers attending the training by notifying the fee booth attendant.