Piping plover

The piping plover is listed as endangered. It is able to breed in Kejimkujik National Park because it is protected there.

Piping plovers are small birds, about the size of a sparrow. Sand-coloured, with yellow-orange legs, they have a black band across the forehead from eye to eye and a black ring around the neck. They nest on flat beach areas with little grass cover. Their call is a plaintive, bell-like whistle.

Park officers have monitored and documented piping plover nesting activity and behaviour at the Seaside Adjunct of the park since 1986. Up to 10 pairs of plovers nest at this site annually. The beach is closed to the public while the plovers are nesting between late April and early August.

Because the plovers nest on exposed beach, strong winds can uncover the eggs. High tides can flood the nests. The eggs are also at risk of being eaten by raccoons and birds like gulls and crows.

Although the nests are now protected by wire mesh enclosures, the chicks are still at risk when they hatch. Fledgling success varies from year to year. Since the program began in 1986, up to 23 chicks have fledged each year. The average now is 14 per year.

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