Sunday, May 18, 2008

Plovers Washed Out

Last week's storms washed away many of New Jersey's piping plover nests.

  • 14 of 21 nests monitored by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation were destroyed.
  • 2 nests at Long Branch lost half their eggs.
  • 9 nests were washed out at Sandy Hook, 2 nests were flooded but still being incubated, and 2 nests were unaffected.
  • 1 nest in Holgate was washed out.
It is still early enough in the breeding season that piping plovers can try nesting again. Storms are one of many threats that piping plovers face. Others include predators, fireworks, harassment from beachgoers, and being run over by trucks.