Date: 4/19/24 8:37 am From: Laura M <magrinha97...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Piping Plovers in Boston
Hi all, last night I attended an interesting shorebird Zoom moderated by John Nelson. Speakers were Wayne Petersen and John Herbert of MassAudubon, Lisa Schibley of Manomet, and Andrew Vitz of MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. I learned that although shorebirds reported in Massachusetts over time are in steep decline (especially Hudsonian Godwit, Red-necked Pharalope and Whimbrel), there is one Massachusetts success story - the Piping Plover. Federally threatened in Massachusetts and endangered in the Great Lakes, Piping Plover numbers are currently increasing here by 10% per year! Twenty years ago, we had 150 pairs, while today we have 1,100 pairs in Massachusetts. They are even nesting in the City of Boston, behind the L Street Bathhouses in South Boston.
I also attended a Piping Plover talk about a month ago in Southie. At this talk, Coastal Waterbird Director Lyra Brennan said the plovers were first noted nesting near the bathhouse in 2017. Since then, nesting areas have been roped off and plover monitors put in place. There are three small beaches behind the bathhouse, which are separated by tall wooden fences. The bathhouse was closed for several years for renovations, which undoubtedly helped the birds. Now it is reopened for members. I'm told the two side beaches will be off limits and reserved for plover nesting, while the middle, larger beach will be open to bathers, with nesting areas marked off with strings and sticks.
The birds here are somewhat protected as no dogs are running off leash, however there is not much vegetation for them to hide in. They and their chicks are vulnerable to predation by crows, skunks or even coyotes. And high tides are getting higher, which can wash away nests and then the plovers have to begin again.
My last count at the beaches was 8 birds. To view the birds from the central bathhouse deck you must be a Boston resident and a member of the Curley Community Center - you can apply online if interested.
