There are 2 chicks remaining of the 2 nests (4 eggs each) laid here at Wasaga
Beach (Beach 1.)
The 2 hatchlings were banded on July 3rd.
These chicks hatched a few hours before the serious hailstorm that killed 3
chicks from the other nest and destroyed one egg. Although the chicks appeared
healthy at the time of banding, for days following the storm, one chick seemed
to have damage to its eye and another seemed to have some leg damage. As they
were being banded, a vet from the Toronto Zoo was on hand to give the chicks a
brief physical check-up. The chicks were, indeed, healthy. (i.e. No permanent
effect from the hail.) And they had good weight gain for their age.
The chicks are 21 days old today. For the past few days they have been
experimenting with flight. (A short flap-n-hop.) Today they were right on
target for taking their first short flight. Despite high winds, both chicks
took short (3meter) low flights early this morning!
It is expected that they will fledge by next Wednesday July 23rd.
Other banded adult PIPLs have stopped by Beach 1 at Wasaga Beach over the past
few weeks. (One of these individuals appears to be a 2007 hatchling form Sauble
Beach.) There have been some very interesting confrontations between the rival
adult PIPLs. PIPL parents will protect their chicks from all threats including
other adult PIPLs.
We are told that the piping plovers at the Sauble Beach and the Oliphant nests
have also experienced some difficulty this summer and that only one chick
remains from each of these two nests.
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