Snowy Plover Update - August 17, 2024

August 17, 2024 Posted by: Matt Lau and Aiko Goldston

Overview

Hello Ploverites!

We are now at 25 fledges for the season! The snowy plovers are once again pulling through during the last several weeks of the season. Chick survival is typically higher during the latter half of the nesting season in Point Reyes and biologists are not quite sure why. Raven activity in beach habitats tend to wind down during this time period and could possibly be an explanation. There are still approximately six to nine chicks still being raised by dedicated plover dads, which will likely increase our fledge count close to our record of 29 fledges in 2022!

One active nest remained on south Kehoe Beach last week, though it was determined to be nonviable. The adults appeared to have abandoned the nest approximately a week after it was due to hatch. Biologists continued to monitor it to see if the eggs showed evidence of hatching, but alas, they showed no sign. And just like that, no active nests remain in the seashore.

At least two of the three eggs that NPS biologists transported to International Bird Rescue last month have hatched! The chicks will be raised to fledge age with other snowy plover chicks collected elsewhere, and will eventually be released back in the seashore near a winter flock.

Winter flocks of snowy plovers continue to grow and can be found at the Abbotts Lagoon mouth, south Kehoe Beach, Limantour Spit, and North Beach. There were at least 60 plovers observed in the Abbotts Lagoon flock. Typically, winter flock numbers peak sometime in December or January, before birds begin dispersing for nesting areas in February and March.

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

Productivity Stats

  • 41 total nests this season
    • 0 active nests
    • 28 hatched
    • 12 failed nests
    • 1 collected nest
  • Up to 9 chicks on PRNS beaches
  • 25 chicks fledged

A photo of two small black-speckled, beige-colored, newly-hatched shorebird chicks and a small black-speckled, beige-colored egg sitting on sand among small grayish-green vegetation.The last snowy plover nest (RA05_2024) of the breeding season, Abbotts Lagoon restoration area.
Photo credit: NPS Photo / Dave Press

A photo of a National Park Service employee wearing a green ball cap and gray hoodie holding a small shorebird chick on a beach.Biologist Matt Lau banding a snowy plover chick from the last known snowy plover nest in the seashore. Abbotts Lagoon restoration area.
Photo credit: NPS Photo / Dave Press

A photo of a woman wearing a dark gray hoodie and olive-green beanie kneeling on sand while applying a band to the leg of a small shorebird chick held in her right hand.Wildlife technician Aiko Goldston banding a snowy plover chick. Abbotts Lagoon restoration area.
Photo credit: NPS Photo / Dave Press

A photo of a small white-breasted, brown-backed shorebird standing on sand surrounded by low-lying vegetation.Banded western snowy plover, gy:ok (green, yellow left leg, orange, black right leg). This bird appears to be a juvenile, originating from Humboldt County in northern California.
Photo credit: © Carleton Eyster, Point Blue Conservation Science


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

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Last updated: August 17, 2024

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