For the third year in a row, the nesting success of western snowy plovers on Oregon beaches set a record, according to state and federal agencies. This year 77 young birds survived long enough to learn to fly and become independent of their parents. This number is more than double the average of 37 young produced annually since monitoring began in 1990, and the second highest on record.
Washingtons Leadbetter Point enjoyed similar increases, with 13 succesful hatches produced on 32 nests. This higher success rate in Washington was attributed to a project that spread oyster shell over portion of the nesting area. Many of the nests at Leadbetter Point were associated with this enhancement, which was done through cooperation with local oyster growers.
"We are thrilled to see another record year for nesting plovers," said Kerrie Palermo, a Bureau of Land Management senior wildlife biologist in Coos Bay. "We believe it shows all the effort we put into coordinated plover management is worth it. Of course, nature has a hand in this success as well."
Snowy plovers are small, pale-colored shorebirds with dark patches on either side of the upper breast. The coastal population breeds along the Pacific coast from southern Washington to southern Baja, California in Mexico. This population was listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as "threatened" in 1993 under the federal Endangered Species Act. The inland and coastal populations are listed collectively by the State of Oregon as a threatened species. They are considered a species of concern by the State of California, and a threatened species by the State of Washington.
Biologists attribute the higher number of fledglings this year to a combination of factors, including:
* increased habitat from long-term restoration projects;
* increased chick survival due to selective predator management;
* separation of beach users from plover nesting areas to lessen disturbance to nesting plovers; and
* cooperation from beach users in avoiding plover nesting areas.
"We know the dry sand restrictions can be an inconvenience, and we appreciate the continued support and understanding of beach visitors to share the beach," said Cindy Burns, a Forest Service biologist in Florence.
Habitat restoration projects include sites at Sutton Beach, Siltcoos Estuary, Tenmile Estuary (northern Coos County), the North Spit of Coos Bay; Bandon Beach State Natural Area and New River area beaches.
Carefully targeted predator control took place at all active nesting sites on Oregon beaches this year, and the data indicate that predator control is helping plover numbers climb toward recovery goals.
An estimated 153 to 158 plovers populate the Oregon coast this year; the highest number since monitoring began in the early 1990s. However, despite excellent chick production last year, the population of plovers increased by only 10 to 15 birds. Biologists believe that winter mortality of adult and fledged plovers may have increased, resulting in reduced numbers of returning plovers. They hope that this year's production will result in further increases to the overall population next season.
The birds prefer coastal sand spits, dune-backed beaches, beaches at creek and river mouths and salt pans at lagoons and estuaries. Biologists attribute the decline of the species to loss of nesting habitat due to development of dune areas, the encroachment of European beach grass into former open dune areas, human disturbance of nest sites, and nest predation by raccoons, ravens and non-native red foxes.
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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 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 and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
