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Published: March 2020
Pages: 19
Author(s): Cyndie Sundstrom, William Ritchie, Anthony Novack, and Scott Pearson
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Washington was directed by its Governor to implement a statewide restriction of activities to prevent the spread of disease in March 2020. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with their snowy plover surveying partners (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State Parks and Recreation, Shoalwater Bay Tribe) implemented additional restrictions and precautionary measures to limit the possible human-to-human transmission of disease. All coastal beach accesses were temporarily closed and citizens were directed to stay home. As a result, the 2020 survey season and monitoring efforts were reduced. Survey efforts were only performed where and when permitted by the various entity partners.
This report reflects only the surveys and limited observations performed during the breeding season. Very limited data analysis will be offered for the 2020 season and any data comparisons of the 2020 season to previous years’ data should be done cautiously.
Overview
During the 2020 western snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) nesting season, the number of breeding adult snowy plovers were counted at most of the known breeding sites in Washington. Limited management activities included restriction human access to nesting sites, predator management, and restoring nesting habitat. The following is a summary of some of the 2020 activities and results:
Breeding Range
- We conducted 18 breeding surveys at 7 sites in two counties between 19 May and 19 June 2020 either to assess site occupancy status or to count the total number of adults.
- Snowy plovers were found at Copalis Spit, Connor Creek, Ocean Shores, Midway Beach, and Graveyard Spit.
- Breeding adult snowy plovers were observed at Long Beach and Leadbetter Point though comprehensive surveys were not conducted.
Breeding Window Survey
- We counted a minimum of 47 plover for the areas surveyed.
- No surveys were conducted at Graveyard Spit or the Long Beach Peninsula.
Nests
- Active nests were found or known to exist at Long Beach, Leadbetter Point, Graveyard Spit, Midway Beach, Connor Creek, and Copalis Spit. Twenty (20) nests total from all locations were discovered. No nest monitoring occurred.
Fledging Success
- A minimum of thirteen (13) locally fledged chicks (>28 days old = juveniles) were observed. Because nest and brood monitoring did not occur, the average number of chicks fledged per male cannot be calculated for the 2020 season.
Management Actions
- Signing: In an effort to protect nests from human activities, approximately 8.0 miles of beach at Leadbetter Point and approximately 2.6 miles of publicly owned beach (Washington State Parks Seashore Conservation Area) at Midway Beach were signed to restrict human access to critical nesting areas. The Shoalwater Bay Tribe posted approximately 15 acres of beach used by nesting snowy plover at Graveyard Spit.
- Clam tides: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife allowed razor clam harvests in the early months of 2020 and cancelled all remaining digs after mid-March due to COVID-19 restrictions.
- Long Beach: During the snowy plover breeding season (April 1st – September 15th), no razor clam digging occurred. The only scheduled digs were: 13 days in January, 11 days in February, and 6 days in early March. Additional digs in mid to late March were cancelled.
- Midway Beach: No razor clam digging occurred during the plover breeding season. Clam digging was allowed for 13 days in January, 11 days in February, and 6 days in early March which occurred before the nesting season begins.
- Nest Predation: Wildlife specialists with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services on both Leadbetter Point and Midway Beach conducted some limited Predator Management in 2020. Management actions consisted of dispersing birds or performing targeted lethal removal of known snowy plover nest and chick predators (corvids) in or adjacent to the plover nesting areas. Results typically suggest that this activity is successful in increasing nest hatching rates and fledging rates.
- Habitat Restoration: The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge staff worked to remove invasive plants at Leadbetter Point from January to March. Twenty (20) acres at the north end of the peninsula was cleared of beachgrass, gorse, and Scot’s broom and an additional 90 acres on previously cleared portions of the Refuge and State Park were disked.