 
Snowy Plover Population Monitoring, Research, and Management Actions: 2007 Nesting Season Research Progress Report
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Related links:
Snowy Plover Population Monitoring, Research, and Management Actions: 2008 Nesting Season Research Progress Report
Snowy Plover Distribution, Abundance
& Reproductive Success:
2006 Research Progress Report
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Max Zahn, Warren Michaelis, Mark Hopey, and Lauren Holman from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Marie Fernandez from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted adult population surveys and volunteers Alan Knue, Craig Zora, and Martha Jensen conducted surveys of previously occupied but currently unoccupied sites. The Shoalwater Tribe and Steve Spencer in particular provided access to tribal land for plover surveys and assisted with plover surveys. Washington State Parks staff including Lisa Lantz, Julie Tennis, Jim Schmidt, Steve Wood, Evan Roberts, Daniel Yorkston, John Jamieson, and Ed Girard assisted with land management issues including enforcement, signing and fencing. Martha Jensen assisted with surveys, funding, and has been extremely helpful in our monitoring and management actions. Dave Lauten, Kathy Castelein, and Charles Bruce provided invaluable advice on several aspects of this work. This Work was funded by a grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operating funds. Thank you all!!! |
Snowy Plover Population Monitoring, Research,
and Management Actions:
2007 Nesting Season Research Progress Report
Scott F. Pearson, Kirsten Brennan, CyndieSundstrom, and Kathryn Gunther
January 2008
Overview
During the 2007 Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) nesting season, we monitored breeding phenology, nesting success, fledging success and the number of nesting adult plovers in Washington. Primarily Kirsten Brennan, Cyndie Sundstrom, and Kathryn Gunther conducted field monitoring and research with assistance from Max Zahn, Warren Michaelis, Marie Fernandez, Scott Pearson, Mark Hopey, Lauren Holman, Steve Spencer, Julie Tennis, and Martha Jensen. Volunteers assisting with occupancy and adult surveys include Craig Zora and Alan Knue. A summary of some of our 2007 results:
Breeding Phenology
- Clutches were initiated between 4 April and 29 June. However, intensive surveys did not start until after April 1.
- The first chick to fledge, fledged around 8 June and the last chick known to fledge, fledged around 13 August.
Breeding Range
- Snowy Plovers nested on Leadbetter, Midway Beach, and Graveyard Spit. Plovers did not nest on Damon Point or surrounding areas.
- We continue to recommend conducting four surveys to a potential nesting site by experienced observers between early to mid-May and the end of the first week of July – the period of greatest plover nesting activity – to have a very high probability of determining site occupancy.
Number of Breeding Adults
- The mean 2007 Washington breeding adult population was 48 (95% Confidence interval: 39-56). Nearly all of the breeding adults were found on Leadbetter Point and Midway Beach.
- Errors associated with double counting and detectability were addressed.
Nesting Success
- Forty-five nests were discovered and monitored.
- The percent of nests that survived from egg laying through hatching during the 2007 nesting season was 37% which was an 11% increase over last season.
- As in past years, the primary sources of nest failure were predation (primarily by crows and ravens) and nest buried by drifting sand.
Fledging Success
- The average number of young fledged per adult male on three nesting sites in Washington was 0.92 (95% Confidence interval: 0.77-1.13). Population viability analyses indicate that at least one young must fledge per adult male to have a stable population. Our results indicate that the Washington population is not being maintained by local production.
Management Actions
- Education: Washington State Parks presented 10 educational programs to a total of 50 people that focused on Snowy Plovers at Cape Disappointment State Park and 22 programs to 240 people that included a discussion of Snowy Plovers at Grayland Beach State Park. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife presented one program on Snowy Plovers to about 20 people.
- Enforcement: Washington State Parks rangers patrolled beaches at Leadbetter, Midway/Grayland, and Damon Point. Rangers contacted people walking dogs off leash, driving in closed areas, camping illegally, and so on. Some violations were issued. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service federal agent patrolled razor clam tides and issued citations.
- Restrictions: Beaches controlled by State Parks were closed to fireworks
- Nest exclosures: 16 nests were exclosed on the Wildlife Refuge at Leadbetter, 1 nest was exclosed on State Park land on Leadbetter, and 7 nests were exclosed on State Park land at Midway Beach.
- Signing: Approximately 7.5 miles of beach was signed at Leadbetter and approximately 1 mile of Midway Beach was signed to restrict human access and protect nests.
- Restoration: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cleared approximately 21 acres of non-native beachgrasses and added oyster shell to 13 acres to the Leadbetter restoration bringing the total acres treated at this restoration site to 84. Four new restoration sites were identified on Leadbetter State Park, pre-treatment bird and plant monitoring was conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with the assistance of Audubon volunteers and initial treatments to control non-native beachgrasses were conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Environmental cleanup: The cleanup and removal of the S.S. Catala shipwreck was completed at Damon Point. 34,500 gallons of heavy fuel oil was removed and recycled, 360,000 gallons of oily water was collected and transported offsite for treatment, 2,585 tons of oil-contaminated sand were removed and disposed.
Monitoring and Research Recommendations
- Continue testing methods for determining site occupancy and for estimating adult population size.
- Examine the effectiveness of habitat restoration areas.
- Examine methods for creating a self-sustaining population.
- Conduct research to identify habitat features important to successful plover nesting.
- Initiate a study to examine the effectiveness of predator control.
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