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Piping plover population increases on P.E.I.

There are five new adult birds, bringing the total to 71, said Vicki Johnson, piping plover co-ordinator at the Island Nature Trust.

'We're not quite sure why these numbers might be boosting'

Sean Patrick Young · CBC News ·
Both plover parents take their turn keeping the nest warm. (Submitted by Vicki Johnson)

The number of adult piping plovers on Prince Edward Island has increased this year.

There are five new adult birds, bringing the total to 71, said Vicki Johnson, piping plover co-ordinator at the Island Nature Trust.

"We're not quite sure why these numbers might be boosting," said Johnson. "It's always great to see an incline in our numbers."

Johnson said the increase may just be a coincidence because of the return of some plovers lining up with the team's census.

"It just may be the birds have returned a little bit earlier this year, and happen to be around during the census window."

This piping plover, named 0P, is a sign of hope to the Island Nature Trust. It was banded as a chick on P.E.I. back in 2017, and has returned each year since. (Submitted by Vicki Johnson)

There are other factors that may be contributing, such as birds travelling through P.E.I. on their way to other provinces. 

Johnson said that happens quite often, but believes they may stay.

"I have a lot of hope that some do stick around, and increase our population here on P.E.I.," Johnson said.

The adult birds don't just need to stick around though — they need to pair up.

The trust has found approximately 23 breeding pairs and five singles within the total number of adults, said Johnson.

The remaining 10 pairs are within the P.E.I. National Park beaches. 

Despite the increase in adults, plover chicks on P.E.I. are still struggling to reach an age where they can fly on their own and migrate. 

This could be because of bad weather conditions, high tides and predators in the area.

'If we can all work together'

But there are things people can do to help out as well.

She suggests taking any garbage you may produce at the beach, making sure to keep pets on leashes and walking along the wet sand on the shore to keep away from habitats in dry areas.

Piping plovers nest in loose sand above the high tide line, which is why Johnson suggests staying on wet sand when walking on the beach. (Submitted by Vicki Johnson)

In an email, Becky Whittam, head of the terrestrial and marine unit of the Canadian Wildlife Service, said it is too early to confirm numbers from the other Maritime provinces.

However, Whittam said plover population numbers in New Brunswick appear similar to last year's count of 65 breeding pairs.

The Nova Scotia population appears to have dropped a bit from 2018 when 42 pairs were found, based on her discussions with census counters.

More P.E.I. news

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sean Patrick Young

Sean is a P.E.I.-born journalist splitting his time between Canada's smallest province and Toronto. Email him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter at @seanpatyoung.

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