Overview
Hello Ploverites!
It has been one incredible start to the nesting season—once the late season rains and storms stopped in mid- to late March, all the snowy plovers in the park decided it was go time! At the highest peak so far, we (i.e., NPS and Point Blue Conservation Science biologists) were able to locate 16 nests that were all active at once; we usually don't observe that much activity until peak nesting season in June and July! Average nest numbers this time of year is usually around 8–10 active nests.
So far, we have found a total of 24 nests: two on Kehoe Beach (K), six in the Abbotts Lagoon Restoration Area (RA), 12 on the beach between Abbotts Lagoon and North Beach parking lot (NP), one between North Beach and South Beach parking lots (NB), and three on Limantour Spit (L). Six of these 24 nests have failed, 10 have hatched, and eight are currently active as of May 29. There are currently broods (dad plovers with mobile hatchlings) running around at Abbotts Lagoon area, North Beach, and Limantour Spit.
Our preliminary breeding population size seems to be around the same as last year, if not slightly higher. Amazingly, a large proportion of our 2022 juveniles (i.e., hatchlings that successfully fledged last season) seem to have survived over the winter and many of them have stayed in the park and are breeding here. Eighteen of the 29 total 2022 fledglings have been observed breeding either here in Point Reyes or elsewhere.
Our beloved King (av:ww male) and Queen (av:bg female) of Limantour have returned and again have nested on Limantour Spit. Their nest hatched on May 21 and the male has been confirmed to be with two chicks earlier this week. The Queen has been spotted with another mate and has been seen creating scrapes. The new male appears to be va:ba, who was the Queen's offspring in 2022! Time will tell how that turns out…. Once the Queen's second nest hatches, we presume she'll pair back up with the King for a third nest! Lastly, check out this article in the National Parks Traveler that highlights the King and Queen of Limantour!
The Western Snowy Plover: A Tiny Shorebird On A Long Journey (nationalparkstraveler.org)If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Matt Lau via email.
CURRENT STATS:
- 24 total nests this season
- 8 active nest
- 10 hatched
- 6 failed nests
- 12–15 chicks on the beach
- 0 chicks confirmed fledged
A three-egg nest near Abbotts Lagoon.
Photo credit: NPS/Matt Lau
A nest within the Abbotts Lagoon restoration area, close to the lagoon mouth.
Photo credit: NPS/Matt Lau
Two hatched chicks from a nest that was placed on top of an old beach firepit full of glass shards, on Kehoe Beach. (Please note: Glass containers are prohibited on park beaches and fires should be built below the high tide line so as to better leave no trace.)
Photo credit: NPS/Matt Lau
Two recently hatched chicks from Limantour Beach
Photo credit: NPS/Matt Lau
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