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Struggles in the Sand: The Uphill battle of the Piping Plover chick
July, 2024
The news from Chicago was heartbreaking.
Imani and Sea Rocket’s third chick had died, the cause of death not yet known. There was great excitement in the city when Imani, the offspring of famed Chicago pair Monty and Rose, finally found a mate. That excitement turned to joy when the couple’s clutch of four eggs hatched, fostering hopes that Monty and Rose’s legacy would endure. Yet now, only one chick remains.
This sad story is not unique, however, and highlights the challenges that piping plover chicks face. Approximately half of wild chicks successfully fledge, meaning they survive long enough to learn to fly, typically at around 23 days of age. Of those who fledge, only about 37% will survive their first year. Some are preyed upon by other animals. Others succumb to disease or injury. Sometimes, the cause is never known.
Yet, amidst these challenges, there is hope. Each loss serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding these fragile birds. Efforts to protect nesting habitats, mitigate human disturbances, and monitor populations are ongoing. In their short lives, Imani and Sea Rocket’s chicks served as tiny ambassadors, bringing much-needed awareness to the species. May their loss make us appreciate each small victory that much more and inspire us to keep working toward a future where the piping plover thrives.
Piping Plovers Flock Back to Michigan!
April, 2024
April is not only the month of tax returns… It also marks the return of Piping Plovers to Michigan! After months spent in warmer climates, the plovers begin to arrive at their summer homes along the sandy beaches of Michigan's Great Lakes. Unlike the dreaded tax return, this homecoming is a cause for celebration as it marks a new chapter in the lifecycle of a species that once teetered on the brink of extinction.
The return of Great Lakes Piping Plovers (GLPPs) from their wintering grounds is a testament to this small bird’s resilience. Weighing only about 60 grams, they travel thousands of miles from the Atlantic coast to their nesting sites along the Great Lakes shores (Michigan Natural Features Inventory, n.d.). However, their return is also a testament to the ongoing efforts of the people and organizations that work tirelessly to protect and preserve these precious birds and their habitat. For decades, dedicated conservation initiatives have been instrumental in ensuring their survival. GLPP numbers have increased from 12 breeding pairs in 1990 to 80 breeding pairs in 2023 due to collaborations between universities, government agencies, Native American tribes, zoos, and countless volunteers (Saunders, 2023). Thanks to these efforts, critical habitats have been safeguarded, nesting sites have been monitored, and public awareness of this endangered bird has been raised.
After almost 40 years on the Federal Endangered Species list, piping plovers are not out of danger yet, and it’s easy to get discouraged when it seems that destruction of the natural world is the norm. However, if you happen to visit a Great Lakes beach this summer, listen for a short call of “peep-lo.” Consider it the sound of hope and a reminder of what people coming together can do.
Welcome back, plovers. May this nesting season be the most successful one yet.
Sources:
Great lakes piping plovers are flying high with a second record-breaking breeding season. (2023, September 15). Audubon Great Lakes. https://gl.audubon.org/news/great-lakes-piping-plovers-are-flying-high-second-record-breaking-breeding-season
Michigan Natural Features Inventory. (n.d.). Charadrius melodus. https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/abstracts/zoology/Charadrius_melodus.pdf
Photo: Joy Thompson