Piping Plover (3 shots)

[ngannet]

This is always a treat to see these cute birds. One of the most critically endangered species in NJ-the Piping Plover. This small bird may be the most talked about bird in NJ. Each year starting in March, major sections of beach are fenced off in order to protect the nesting sites of this bird, along with Black Skimmer and Least Terns. Even with the intense protection, this species is declining at an alarming rate due mainly to-what else-humans. Development along the coast, human and vehicle traffic, and pets are major threats. These birds lay little sand-colored eggs in shallow depressions in the sand and are sometimes flooded out in very bad storms. I'm pulling for you little shorebirds! Aside from that, hope you like the pictures! There were two birders that told me about him before I got down there, including one birder from California!

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/58168793.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/58168795.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/58168797.jpg

[dancinec]

Great shot Bob, what other plovers do you have there? We have black-bellied, semipalmated, killdeer and the snowy.

[ngannet]

Thanks Dennis! We have Black-bellied, Semi, Killdeer, Piping, and usually some American Golden Plovers. I'm sure there are other vagrants seen here and there, but the previous species are reliable. I love those black-bellied plovers!