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NEW! Click for 2010 Season Updates
Project Goal: To monitor and protect the breeding population of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) along the New Hampshire Seacoast, as well as their habitat.
Photo: Marquis Walsh
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Timeline: Before the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, unregulated hunting caused the decline of the Atlantic Coast population of piping plovers. Since the 1940's piping plovers have steadily declined due to increased coastal development resulting in habitat loss and degradation, human disturbance, and predation all along the Atlantic coast. Piping plovers were believed to be absent from New Hampshire for several years until they were discovered nesting again in 1996 by a jogger running on the beach.
In 1997 the NH Fish and Game's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program began working to monitor and protect breeding piping plovers and their habitat.
Location: Hampton and Seabrook, NH
Description: Each spring, from late March to early April, Nongame Program staff erects fencing along the sandy dunes at Hampton and Seabrook beaches to coincide with the annual return of piping plovers to their breeding grounds. The fence consists of wooden stakes and galvanized metal T-posts pounded into the sand with yellow nylon rope strung along the posts. "Area Closed" signs attached to the fence inform the public of the habitat protection and its importance to piping plovers.
A Piping Plover Monitor works full time during the breeding season to monitor nesting plovers, coordinate beach management activities such as beach raking and cleaning, and facilitate public awareness about the protection of the birds and their habitat. When a piping plover nest is located, the plover monitor, together with 2 or 3 volunteers erects an "exclosure" around the nest. This circular fence keeps predators away from the nest (excludes) yet allows piping plovers the ability to walk in and out through small squares in the fencing. Mesh netting is placed over the top of the exclosure to prevent avian predators (gulls and crows) from destroying the nests.
Once the chicks hatch, the plover monitor (with the assistance of volunteers) conducts daily counts of the chicks while informing and educating beachgoers of the protection efforts. The symbolic fencing is removed at the end of the breeding season each year usually between late July and mid-August after the last piping plover chicks have fledged (are able to fly).
Partners:
Towns of Hampton and Seabrook including the local Departments of Public Works and Police Departments
NH Department of Resource and Economic Development - Parks Division
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Funding: Private donations have provided the foundation for the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program since its inception in 1988. Contributions support the on-the-ground work and also enable the Nongame Program to qualify for additional funding through grants from both the State of New Hampshire and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Donations made to the Nongame Program are matched dollar-for-dollar by the State of New Hampshire up to $50,000 annually. Please help keep this project going by donating to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. (Click here to donate).
The Nongame Program also receives a portion of proceeds from the sale of the NH Conservation License plate (moose plate) each year. To learn more please visit the NH Moose Plate Program online at www.mooseplate.com.
Volunteering: Volunteers are needed to help monitor adult piping plovers, their nests and chicks on Hampton and Seabrook beaches. Volunteers may also interact with beach-goers to answer questions and make them aware of the plover's presence. For more information on volunteering contact the NH Fish and Game at 271-2461 or wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov.
Click here for a list of the top 10 things you can do to help piping plovers (PDF, 98 KB)
Outcomes:
| |
# nesting pairs |
# chicks hatched |
# chicks fledged |
productivity |
| 1997 |
5 |
18 |
3 |
0.6 |
| 1998 |
5 |
16 |
12 |
2.4 |
| 1999 |
6 |
20 |
16 |
2.7 |
| 2000 |
6 |
18 |
14 |
2.3 |
| 2001 |
7 |
19 |
15 |
2.1 |
| 2002 |
7 |
12 |
1 |
0.1 |
| 2003 |
7 |
15 |
7 |
1.0 |
| 2004 |
4 |
11 |
4 |
1.0 |
| 2005 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
| 2006 |
3 |
9 |
2 |
0.7 |
| 2007 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
0.3 |
| 2008 |
3 |
11 |
6 |
2.0 |
| 2009 |
5 |
8 |
2 |
0.4 |
| Average |
4.9 |
12.9 |
6.4 |
1.2 |
More Information:
NEW! 2010 Season Updates (Updated June 29, 2010)
Press release May 24, 2010: Endangered Piping Plovers Present on N.H. Beaches this Memorial Day Weekend
Nesting
Seabrook - There are currently no known piping plover nests.
Hampton Beach State Park - There is one nest with four piping plover eggs. It is believed that both adults have been lost to predation and this nest is no longer viable.
Chick Status
Seabrook - There are currently 2 pairs of adult piping plovers with chicks. The first pair has two chicks that are just over one month old. These chicks should fledge (be able to fly) by July 5th. The second pair at Seabrook Beach was recently discovered with 3 newly hatched chicks! The 3 chicks are about one week old and expected to fledge by the end of July.
Hampton Beach State Park - There is one pair of adult piping plovers with three chicks. The 3 chicks are about one week old and expected to fledge by the end of July.
Until the end of July the chicks at both Seabrook Beach and Hampton Beach can not fly! Please be cautious, watch where you step, and fill in any large holes in the sand at the end of the day - even small holes can be traps for the tiny chicks!
Please be curtious to wildlife and fellow beach-goers and follow local animal control ordinances.
Seabrook - "No dogs are allowed on Seabrook Beaches from June to September. Dogs are allowed on the beach from September 15th to June 1st provided that they are controlled on a leash." www.seabrookpd.com
Hampton Beach State Park - "Pets are not permitted in the park or at the beach. Pets are not permitted in the RV campground from April 1st through mid-September." www.nhstateparks.com/hampton.html
Beach Maintenance
NH Fish and Game staff continue to work cooperatively with local officials to coordinate beach management and protect the endangered piping plovers.
At Seabrook Town Beach and Hampton Beach State Park, beach raking and maintenance work will be temporarily haulted through the end of July only in the areas where piping plover chicks are present.
Beach raking and maintenance work may be performed on all other areas of Seabrook Beach and Hampton Beach as deemed necessary by local officials as long as it is coordinated in advance with the NH Fish and Game Department and the Piping Plover Monitor is present while beach management work is being done to monitor and prevent the loss of any piping plover eggs, chicks or adults.
Volunteers
Volunteers are needed through the end of July to help monitor the chicks at both Seabrook Beach and Hampton Beach State Park. The 4th of July holiday weekend is crucial as the chicks will only be about one week old and won't be able to fly yet.
Anyone interested in volunteering may contact the piping plover monitor at (603) 419-9728.
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