As we progress through the summer, the 2024 plover season at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has been eventful and dynamic. Here’s a summary of the key developments and highlights so far:

June 14th: New Beginnings

The season started with an exciting development—chicks on the beach! By mid-June, 14 nests had hatched, resulting in 42 lively chicks exploring the sands. Additionally, 21 nests were actively being incubated, with the anticipation of more pairs nesting or re-nesting in the coming weeks. The beach was also buzzing with activity from least terns, with a survey on June 13th counting at least 75 adults nesting in multiple locations.

June 29th: Growth and New Arrivals

By the end of June, the plover population had grown significantly. As of June 29th, there were 61 chicks on the beach, spread across 23 broods, with 16 active nests. Notably, the banded plover EH8 and its mate successfully hatched four chicks on June 25th. The least terns continued their nesting activities, and some least tern chicks (LETE) had begun to hatch.

July 6th: Challenges and Resilience

The first week of July brought a mix of good news and challenges. There were 36 chicks, one fledgling, 16 total broods, and nine active nests being incubated. Unfortunately, there was an increase in chick predation, particularly at the south end of the beach. Despite these challenges, the least terns persisted in nesting across various areas, with at least three near-fledgling size LETE chicks spotted at the southernmost colony.

July 12th: A Diverse Range of Ages

By mid-July, the beach was home to a wide range of chick ages, from just a few days old to more than 30 days old and beginning to fly. As of July 12th, there were six nests still being incubated, 35 chicks on the beach, and 10 fledged chicks. The fall shorebird migration also began to ramp up, bringing in adult and juvenile piping plovers, spotted sandpipers, sanderlings, whimbrels, and even a red knot.

July 26th: A Collaborative Effort

The end of July saw continued efforts from the dedicated team at Parker River NWR. With the discovery of a new two-egg nest, the refuge now hosts 50 piping plover pairs for the season. As of July 26th, there are 15 chicks of various ages still on the beach, with the youngest just hatching earlier that week. A total of 33 chicks have fledged and headed south. The beach is also bustling with other migrating shorebirds. Least terns remain active, with 44 adults, at least seven fledglings, and five nests still being incubated.

A Note of Gratitude

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our law enforcement officers, weekend staff, and dedicated plover volunteers for their tireless efforts in minimizing human disturbance and beach trespassing during some hot and busy days, including the 4th of July. Special thanks to Amy for her surveys and to Marissa for her ongoing monitoring of the northernmost part of the refuge beach.

The 2024 plover season has been a testament to the resilience and beauty of these birds, and we look forward to seeing how the rest of the season unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in celebrating and protecting the incredible wildlife at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

Check back for more information and updates!

The Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge