After a 30-year absence of breeding Piping Plovers, a pair successfully nested in Ontario in 2007, and four pairs of this endangered species nested in the province in 2008. Bird Studies Canada are pleased to announce that Piping Plovers are nesting in Ontario again this season. Nests have been established at both Wasaga Beach and Sauble Beach. All nests are protected from predators with exclosures, and are monitored by volunteers. Beach users are asked to stay outside of the fenced areas that surround the nests, and to look for the volunteer plover guardians for advice on how to observe the plovers.
Piping plovers Photo: Brendan Toews
Volunteer guardians spend time on the beach monitoring and protecting the plovers, and educating the public about these rare birds and the efforts underway to protect them. More guardians are needed. If you are interested in volunteering at Sauble Beach, contact Stew Nutt at 519-372-8588 or saubleplover@gmail.com, or for Wasaga Beach, contact Kim Jaxa-Debicki at (705) 429-2516 or speciesatrisk@wasagabeachpark.com.
Monitoring and coordinating protection for the plovers is a collaborative effort of government and non-government partners including the Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks, and Bird Studies Canada, with important support from the local municipalities and numerous volunteers.
For more details, see Bird Studies Canada.
We have seen several plovers at the Lakefront Promenade Park in Mississauga for the past week. We have not been able to see if they are nesting or not.