Snowy Plover nesting earliest in 32 years of study

March marks the start of the Snowy Plover nesting season in Monterey Bay, but this year a pair started nesting in February. Biologists from Point Blue Conservation Science have been closely monitoring these small shorebirds since the late 1970’s. This early nesting could actually benefit these birds.

Early nesting may be related to climate change, as this year’s mild winter and dry spring are allowing for plovers to get a head start on the breeding season. However, in the long term, the effects of climate change could negatively impact Snowy Plover populations, which nest on sandy, open beaches. Sea level rise, with increasing wave heights and storm surges, may narrow beaches making nests more vulnerable.

Yet even with this year’s promising early start, plovers need the help of beach goers.

“This tiny sparrow-sized shorebird struggles to survive on our beaches – dodging predators, people, dogs, and soon may be grappling with the effects of climate change, including shrinking beach habitat from sea-level rise and wave scouring from strong storms,” said Point Blue Waterbird Ecologist Carleton Eyster. “But people can help protect plovers by following a few simple beach going tips.”

Tips to help protect nesting Snowy Plovers:

1. Watch for signs, stay out of closed areas to avoid crushing nests and disturbing chicks.

2. On dune beaches, walk along the wet sand, to avoid stepping on nests and to give chicks ample space to feed.

3. Keep dogs on leash and only bring them to beaches that allow dogs.

4. Don’t chase plovers, or any birds, resting on the beach. Teach your kids how to walk around resting birds.

5. Get involved! Are there Snowy Plovers nesting at a beach near your home? Do you have questions, curiosities, ideas, energy to help? Contact your beach owner or manager about starting a program to help nesting snowy plovers, or email pointblue@pointblue.org for assistance.

Snowy Plovers are federally listed as a threatened species, and in 2014 produced just enough young to keep the population from declining, which is largely due to predators, human disturbance, and habitat degradation.

Snowy Plover chicks are usually raised by their fathers. Once they hatch from a nearly invisible, well-camouflaged nest, fathers and their ping-pong ball sized babies move back and forth from sand dunes to the water’s edge, to find insects and grow to adulthood. Chicks start flying just 30 days after hatching out of their tiny eggs. This month-long period is tricky to navigate for young plovers, especially when beaches are heavily used by people and their pets.