Hello Ontbirders,
I am posting on behalf of Stewart Nutt, Piping Plover Project
Coordinator, Sauble Beach.
On April 17th, 2009, Ontario was again blessed by the arrival of the Piping
Plover. Many individuals had been surveying the Lake Huron Shoreline and
were rewarded at Sauble Beach. Two males were first noticed and over the
next few days other plovers arrived. At least four distinct pairs were
identified and three pairs remained on north Sauble Beach. The first nest
was established by an unbanded male and the female which had nested on
Sauble Beach the past two years. Subsequently two more nests were
discovered.
The first nest was abandoned after four eggs were laid; we are unsure of
the cause. The unbanded male left the area; however another male arrived
about the same time and that pair soon mated and four more eggs were laid.
These three established pairs are doing well at this point. All nests have
been protected with exclosures and perimeter fencing. We have volunteers
watching and waiting for the first hatch which we expect in approximately
two weeks.
We could use your help. We have three main shifts per day monitoring the
Piping Plovers beginning at 9:00 am and finishing at 9:00 pm. We do have
individuals who monitor earlier in the morning and later at night. If
you will have any time to help us monitor, please send us an email at
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> and let us know
of the times you could help.
If you would like further information check out our web site
http://www.saubleplovers.com <http://www.saubleplovers.com/> which will
be updated for 2009 by May 31.
You of course are also welcome to come for a visit. To locate the nests,
follow the shoreline at Sauble Beach north to the Sauble River to find the
nests. Contact me before you arrive and I would be happy to meet you. Also
upon arrival check with the monitor on site. We ask that you remain at a
reasonable distance from the birds and use the perimeter fencing as a
guide.
You can contact me on site by cell @ 519-372-8588 or personal email
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> if you have further questions.
Note: Wasaga Beach also has three pairs of piping plovers with two
established nests at this writing.
Stewart Nutt
PIPL Project Coordinator
Sauble Beach, ON
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