Every spring, Piping Plovers—sparrow-sized, endangered shorebirds—arrive at beaches across Atlantic Canada to nest and raise young. However, since 1991 the number of Piping Plovers returning to Nova Scotia’s beaches has declined by over 20%. Loss and degradation of beach nesting areas, increased predator pressures, coastal development, and human recreation are the main causes of endangerment and are among the challenges facing this species’ recovery.
In April 2006, Bird Studies Canada initiated the Nova Scotia Piping Plover Conservation Program. Using population monitoring, habitat protection, and the dedication of dozens of stewardship volunteers and project partners, we are working towards reversing the decline of Piping Plovers in Nova Scotia.

From April through August, a team of biologists monitors Piping Plovers [link to About Atlantic Piping Plovers section] in southern Nova Scotia where more than half of Piping Plovers breed in the province. It is believed that this region supports a population of plovers that is reproductively isolated from other parts of the province. Regular surveys of beaches determine where breeding pairs are located and nest checks determine numbers of eggs hatched and chicks fledged. Human disturbance (too-close approaches to nesting plovers and even trampling of eggs and chicks by people and dogs) can cause breeding failure. To protect breeding plovers, we set up “Do not Disturb” signs and rope lines around sensitive nesting habitat. Education of beach goers by biologists and volunteers also assists in protection.

Piping Plover monitors with chalk outreach board used to share information with beach goers in southern NS.

Predation is one of the main causes of nest failure in southern NS. On beaches where there is a high risk of nest predation, we use nest exclosures to protect eggs. These fence structures allow plovers to walk in and out during the incubation phase of the nest cycle, but prevent predators from entering and preying on the eggs. Nest exclosures can be a useful tool in increasing hatching success.

The data collected from monitoring and protection efforts is used to inform beach management decision-makers and species recovery planners, and to increase public understanding. Beaches are widely used by different organisms, including humans, and monitoring data from surveys can provide a useful picture of what and when species use beaches and how that may change over time.

Successful recovery of species at risk requires the support and stewardship of the public. Through funds from The Government of Canada Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, we guide and engage individuals, community groups, and agencies in managing, enhancing, and conserving beach habitat across Nova Scotia.

Approximately 95% of Nova Scotia’s coastline is privately owned, thus the Nova Scotia Piping Plover Conservation Program actively reaches out to private landowners. Beach landowners play an essential role in beach habitat protection. When Piping Plovers are found on private lands, BSC works with landowners to discuss recommendations for protecting sensitive nesting habitat and share resources.

Engaging Volunteers in Stewardship

James Hirtle, volunteer Guardian for Cherry Hill Beach, NS
In June 2006, Bird Studies Canada received funding from Habitat Stewardship Program and began directing the Nova Scotia Piping Plover Guardian Project, which has a long history in Nova Scotia. Working closely with biologists, dozens of volunteers and Piping Plover Guardians play a lead role in the recovery of Piping Plovers by patrolling beaches, collecting information, conducting beach clean-ups, and sharing plover-friendly tips with beach-goers, such as:

Volunteers greatly assist with beach clean-ups on plover breeding beaches in March and April. Some volunteers also assist biologists with plover protection and monitoring activities. There are many opportunities to get involved, so please contact us [link to contact information]!

We’re always looking for new Guardians, please contact us at nsplovers@gmail.com!

Sue Abbott
Bird Studies Canada
c/o Environment Canada, 16th floor
45 Alderney Dr.
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6
Phone/voicemail: (902) 426-4055
Fax: (902) 426-6434
Email: sabbott@bsc-eoc.org or nsplovers@gmail.com

The Government of Canada Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk	Environment Canada - Canadian Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Recovery Fund	Shell Environmental Fund
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources

Other Program partners include:

Ecology Action Centre
Cape Sable Important Bird Area
Fresh Air Society
Nature Conservancy Canada
NS Department of Natural Resources
NS Department of Transportation & Public Works
Pomquet Development Society
Société Acadienne Ste. Croix
Steelie DesignResources

Piping Plover is a sparrow-sized shorebird that relies on its cryptically coloured feathers to secretly nest and evade predators on coastal beaches.

Range: Atlantic Coast population of Piping Plovers found on coastal beaches during spring and summer in all four Atlantic Provinces and eastern USA. Other populations occur in Prairie Provinces and the Great Lakes.

Why are Atlantic Piping Plovers endangered?

1. Habitat loss: Outright loss of beach breeding sites across its range due to both natural and human-related causes.
2. Habitat degradation: Human activities on beaches can negatively affect the quality of breeding habitat, including: development of houses and other structures on dunes and vehicle use.

3. Predator pressures: Increased suite of predators on beaches, including American Crows, Common Ravens, fox, mink and roaming dogs and cats.

The ‘broken wing display’ usually indicates a too-close encounter and is a Piping Plover’s way of feigning injury to draw predators or humans away from their nest or young.

4. Human disturbance: Too-close approaches of people to breeding Piping Plovers can lead to destruction or abandonment of eggs, death of chicks, and loss of beach as a traditional breeding site.
5. Weather: High tides or high winds can flood nests or threaten survival of chicks.

A high tide at Sand Hills Provincial Park in southern NS leaves little safe nesting habitat for plovers.

Status: Endangered in Canada and Nova Scotia

Special protection for Piping Plovers:

Nova Scotia Range: Currently breed on about two dozen beaches in NS, including the South Shore (Shelburne to Halifax Co.), North Shore (Pictou and Antigonish Co.), and Cape Breton (Victoria, Inverness and Cape Breton Co.)

Timing of life cycle activity:

Nest placement: Male and female make a shallow depression (10 cm wide) in the sand or cobble above the high tideline on a beach or dune, called a “scrape.”

Clutch size and timing of laying: usually 4 eggs over 4-8 days (average 6 days)

Incubation: male and female share duties over period of 28 days.

Chick-rearing: Chicks able to walk and run within hours after hatching. Chicks are not fed by parents, but are led to foraging habitat by parents. Chicks brooded (warmed against parent’s brood patch on belly) by both parents for first few weeks. Some females leave male to care for brood 5-17 days after hatching. Extent of chick-rearing period by adult plovers varies, but is approximately 4 weeks.

Fledging: Age at which chick can sustain flight is between 28-32 days.

Re-nesting: Pair will attempt to raise one brood of young every year, however, if eggs are lost before hatching the pair may attempt a new nest until early July.

Fall Migration: Adults start leaving beaches when nesting is complete, starting in mid-July and continuing through September.

Foraging & Diet: Invertebrates, including marine worms and small crustaceans, captured by “stop, run, peck” foraging. Also known to vibrate one foot on wet sand, presumably to bring up invertebrates to surface.

Number of Adult Piping Plovers in Nova Scotia: less than 100

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