Jack Dingledine, a biologist with the Services East Lansing, Michigan, field office, said the 32 pairs produced a total of 71 chicks which survived to fledge, the age at which they can fly. In addition, Dingledine said three captive-reared piping plovers were released along Michigan shorelines this year. These birds were from nests that were abandoned or where one or both adults were lost.
Dingledine said the success of this years nesting season can be attributed in part to the efforts of resource managers, researchers, stewards and volunteers who provided important information and helped protect nests from disturbance over the summer.
"Their work is invaluable - helping us locate and monitor nests as well as protecting nests, eggs, and chicks from harm," Dingledine said.
As the nesting season comes to an end, Great Lakes piping plovers will begin heading south for wintering grounds in Florida and other Gulf and Atlantic states, joining plover populations from the Atlantic Coast and Great Plains. As the birds move south, the Service is asking birdwatchers and others to report any sightings of piping plovers, especially plovers with colored bands.
"We encourage people to be on the lookout for piping plovers, and we are especially interested in birds with color bands. However, we urge people not to harass the birds to get a closer look at a band," Dingledine said.
Anyone who spots a piping plover can contact Dingledine at 517-351-6320 or by e-mail at Jack_Dingledine@fws.gov or Jennifer Stucker at 612-624 -1202; http://www.consbio.umn.edu
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | | | | | | |
