Snowy Plover Update - August 12, 2023

August 12, 2023 Posted by: Matt Lau

Overview

Hello Ploverites!

Six snowy plover nests have hatched since our last breeding season update, but the trend of low chick survival continues and only three of the broods have survived as of today. On a brighter note, the male of a North Beach brood secretly kept a chick hidden from us for an entire month (i.e., we thought he only had a single chick with him the entire time) and managed to fledge two out of three chicks this week! Thus far, we have confirmed 13 total fledges this season, compared to the total of 28 from the 2022 breeding season.

Two active broods can be found along North Beach (between Abbotts Lagoon and North Beach parking lot) and one on Limantour Spit. Three active nests remain—two near Abbotts Lagoon and one on Limantour Spit—all projected to hatch next mid-week. This means we'll be monitoring broods going into September! If all things go well, and a majority of these chicks survive, we can pull through and end the season strong!

The Royals Update

We spoke too soon on the Royal pair of Limantour! We previously mentioned that we had not observed the Queen (av:bg) recently, and sure enough, she was incubating a nest hidden away on the Estero of Limantour Spit! It's unclear why they abandoned the one egg nest we found a few weeks ago, but their new nest is only two eggs, leading us to believe they promptly started this new nest after abandoning the one egg of the old nest. The rest of the Royal family (i.e., the offspring of the King and Queen: va:aa female and va:ba male) have wrapped up their seasons and have joined the nearby winter flocks.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Matt Lau via email.

CURRENT STATS:

  • 50 total nests this season
    • 3 active nest
    • 27 hatched
    • 20 failed nests
  • 6–8 chicks on PRNS beaches
  • 13 chicks fledged!

A photo of a small black-speckled, beige-colored shorebird chick lying on sand among pieces of driftwood.A hidden snowy plover chick, still with an egg tooth (the white speck on the tip of the bill used to help them break out of the egg) near Abbotts Lagoon. August 6, 2023.
Photo credit: NPS/Matt Lau

A photo of a black-speckled, beige-colored shorebird chick with colored bands around its legs standing on a sandy beach.A newly banded snowy plover chick from Limantour Spit. August 2023.
Photo credit: NPS/Matt Lau

A photo of three small black-speckled, beige-colored shorebird chicks lying on sand adjacent to a long and thin piece of driftwood.Three snowy plover chicks from one of the last nests near Abbotts Lagoon. August 6, 2023.
Photo credit: NPS/Matt Lau


The National Park Service shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. These data and related graphics (if available) are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The National Park Service gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/disclaimer.htm

PointReyes, PointReyesNationalSeashore, bird, birds, plover, plovers, snowyplover, snowyplovers, westernsnowyplover, westernsnowyplovers, Charadriusnivosus, Charadriusnivosusnivosus



Last updated: August 12, 2023

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Phone:

415-464-5100
This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (e.g., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; fire danger information; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc.), or speak with a ranger. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call.

Contact Us