The Endangered Piping Plover
This past week I had a wonderful opportunity to photograph one of America’s endangered species, the piping plover A representative of the State o Connecticut DEP escorted me to the location of the remaining single plover chick of the 18 that had been born this year. The chick was only one week old but was already ranging up and down the Harkness State Park beach.
As we crossed the signs advising the public of the vulnerability of the birds and de-marking the “Do Not Enter” area I asked Denise if she found that the public generally respected the signs. Sadly, she informed me that it is not the case. Many of this years chicks were eaten by dogs allowed to run free on the beach.
As we approached the nesting area Denise suggested listening for the warning cheeps of the plovers to let us know we were nearing their habitat. As many of you already know, the plovers are very hard to see as their coloring blends in so well with the beach surroundings. Denise spotted the chick first as it scampered towards the water’s edge.
One Week Old Piping Plover
I was fortunate enough to get several useful images of the chick in the hour we spent watching it. Mom and dad also presented themselves for photo ops
Adult Piping Plover- Harkness State Park
These very small birds live a very vulnerable life especially during the nesting season. We all really need to respect the attempts to preserve their specie by not encroaching on nesting areas or letting dogs run loose in them.
