The Dwindling Breeding Grounds of the

 Snowy Plover

Benny Lin

Common Name: Western Snowy Plover
Scientific Name: Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus

Listing Status: Threatened

Listing Date: 03/05/1993

Plan Date: 09/24/2007

Size: ~5.9 to 6.6 inches long & ~1.2 to 2 ounces
Lifespan: ~3 years

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/070924.pdf

Description

http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/FullRes/natdiglib/4996566155_0920d9e398_b.jpg

This small shorebird can be found along the west coast in California, Oregon, Washington, and parts of Mexico. It can be identified by its dark brown spots that appear on its head and wings with a white underbelly and dark gray to black legs. During breeding season, the males will sometimes display a black plumage crown on their head. Snowy plovers usually lay 2-6 eggs (usually 3) in a clutch, which both the male and female spend time incubating. 

Threats

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/070924.pdf

The snowy plovers live throughout the Pacific shoreline, mostly 5 sites in Washington (now 3 common), 20 in Oregon (now 7 common), and 53 in California (now 20

common).  The beach and sand dune habitats of these plovers are unstable due to storms, high winds, shifting soils, and wave action.  The dangers that the western snowy plovers face generally fall under these categories: destruction and improper modification of habitat, overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific or educational purposes, disease and predation, faulty regulations.Driftwood, kelp, and dune plants in the area help provide protection for chicks to hide in and serve as a food source full of invertebrates. In addition to these factors, the introduction of nonnative species like beachgrass, sandmining, and urban development further add to the challengers the plovers face. Over time, as shown in the table below, populations have declined like this throughout the west coast, but new efforts and awareness might have begun to bring back the plovers. 

Surprising or Unexpected Threats: driftwood removal, domestic and feral cat predation, bird banding (identifiers on legs), lack of protection in Baja, disturbance by kites and model airplanes

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/070924.pdf

Recovery

Criterion 1: Average 3,000 breeding adults among 6 recovery units for 10 years minimum

Criterion 2: Yearly average productivity of at least one fledged chick per male in each recovery unit for 5 years

Criterion 3: Plans for long-term protection and management of breeding, wintering, and migration areas to maintain Criteria 1 and 2.

The path to saving these shorebirds begins with research. Scientists need to monitor the breeding and wintering populations and habitats to see how certain actions will contribute the longevity of the western snowy plover.

Direct actions include maintaining the dunes that the western snowy plovers occupy and pass through by removing nonnative grasses, depositing clean dredged material (sand and gravel), and adding salt ponds. Managing the public will also be important, so conservationists might have to close off breeding areas or develop new trails for people. Animals may also get in the way of breeding plovers, especially seals and domestic pets. If necessary, protective barriers can be put up to keep predators away rather than relocating the birds.

Together, management teams and the government will have to coordinate with private landowners to develop long term plans. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field offices can help working groups that will consist of representatives from the federal, state, local, and private sectors. ; They should meet regularly to study population trends and carry out recovery efforts.

If preventative and restoration efforts succeed, delisting may be possible by 2047. However, this can only be done with support from the public. Education and outreach will be critical, and must be led by trained and informed staff under the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Looking at the bigger picture, the government needs to establish an international conservation program with Mexico. A joint effort between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mexico’s National Institute of Ecology, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries with independent organizations will lead to faster results.

"How We're Saving Snowy Plovers"Monterey Bay Aquarium via Youtube

References

Snowy Plover Profile <http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=B07C#recovery>

Recovery Plan for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover <http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/070924.pdf>
Further Reading
http://westernsnowyplover.org/
http://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/birds/WSP/plover.html