North Beach Island continues to play host to many potential parents. As couples shop for real estate (scraping here, there and everywhere) we (the monitors) put up stakes and string in hopes of persuading beach goers to walk around these time sensitive areas. Yellow signs seem to sprout up like the grass, identifying the areas as "future home of Mr and Mrs Plover".
As monitors, we almost hope that the signs, string and stakes will signal the birds "if you nest here you'll be save" like the popular Boston Apartment ad campaign which told Storrow Drive traffic victims, "If you lived here, you'd be home" .
Only time will tell if all the pounding and sign posting will pay off. The quest for the discovery of the first egg begins. Even the American Oystercatchers are getting in on the game; scraping out nests and leaving us wondering where that first clutch will occur.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
04.17.2008 "Windy, Cold and Busy?"
The wind was blowing today due to a storm passing off the coast. It is not going to be significant storm, but the winds made the rising tides and cold air worthy accomplices in keeping my visit short and sweet. Only four PIPLs were seen (2 Pairs) and they were less then happy to see me in light of the elements. I was surprised to see so many scrapes. Busy birds in spite of the cold nights we have had. The AMOYs were still hanging out in the same area. I am confident they are a nesting pair. My presence stressed them. PIPLs tracks were on the bay side south of the last camp. I was going to scout that area, but decided to take the birds cues to heart and backed off. Tomorrow may offer better conditions.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
04.10.2008 "The Dance Begins"
An early morning trip to North Beach Island was extra special, in spite of the rain which was followed by unexpected heavy fog. We arrived in our own boat made available to us thanks to the Harbormaster ET AL. A beautiful, unmarked, inconspicuous skiff.
The morning tide was low and dropping. I only saw six PIPLs feeding together. It was foggy and spotting them was difficult, so the margin for error was high.
The sun came out as the tide turned and five hours later, under clear blue skies, the same area was completely flooded. No PIPL were seen. The large population of assorted gulls and sea ducks did not peak my interest until I heard a familiar, high pitched call which made me take a second look. Among the assorted large fowl, I saw two American Oystercatchers where a pair had nested last year. I was delighted and look forward to seeing if they stay.
Not far from the AMOYS a pair of PIPLs were spotted. Clear courting tracks and scraps only reinforced that they were indeed a pair. A few yards further, I actually witnessed my first male displaying his courting dance to (what I can only describe as) an underwhelmed female. When the two moved away from where they were, I saw she had been sitting in a very well developed scrape with several paths all around it, to and from the area . I predict, this will be our first egg baring pair.
Oddly, almost in the same territory two more PIPLs just stood looking at me, looking at them, for about five minutes. I felt like I was interrupting their first date, so I promptly GPS ed their location and moved on (a look back through my binoculars only offered their continued awkwardness with one another) Not ready to call them a pair.
In a more predictable "territorial" lengths away, I found another Pair. Although I could not find any scrapes to support their union, I recognized their head bobbing and fake nesting to be a sign of their relationship. They were also in an area that historically hosted a pair. I spotted his foot work there on 03.29.2008 as he was flying around my head. As I sat watching from a pretty far distance, the male kept coming closer and closer to where I was sitting. I have never had a PIPL approach me as close as he did. It was as if he was truly checking me out. If nothing else, I got at least one great picture of him. This male has a neat collar that looks like someone drew it on him with a medium "Sharpie" pen. It is completely even all the way around his neck. The female also looked very pale gray, almost juvenile.
The morning tide was low and dropping. I only saw six PIPLs feeding together. It was foggy and spotting them was difficult, so the margin for error was high.
The sun came out as the tide turned and five hours later, under clear blue skies, the same area was completely flooded. No PIPL were seen. The large population of assorted gulls and sea ducks did not peak my interest until I heard a familiar, high pitched call which made me take a second look. Among the assorted large fowl, I saw two American Oystercatchers where a pair had nested last year. I was delighted and look forward to seeing if they stay.
Not far from the AMOYS a pair of PIPLs were spotted. Clear courting tracks and scraps only reinforced that they were indeed a pair. A few yards further, I actually witnessed my first male displaying his courting dance to (what I can only describe as) an underwhelmed female. When the two moved away from where they were, I saw she had been sitting in a very well developed scrape with several paths all around it, to and from the area . I predict, this will be our first egg baring pair.
Oddly, almost in the same territory two more PIPLs just stood looking at me, looking at them, for about five minutes. I felt like I was interrupting their first date, so I promptly GPS ed their location and moved on (a look back through my binoculars only offered their continued awkwardness with one another) Not ready to call them a pair.
In a more predictable "territorial" lengths away, I found another Pair. Although I could not find any scrapes to support their union, I recognized their head bobbing and fake nesting to be a sign of their relationship. They were also in an area that historically hosted a pair. I spotted his foot work there on 03.29.2008 as he was flying around my head. As I sat watching from a pretty far distance, the male kept coming closer and closer to where I was sitting. I have never had a PIPL approach me as close as he did. It was as if he was truly checking me out. If nothing else, I got at least one great picture of him. This male has a neat collar that looks like someone drew it on him with a medium "Sharpie" pen. It is completely even all the way around his neck. The female also looked very pale gray, almost juvenile.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
03.31.2008 A Cold Day Visit to the Island Pays Off
With the tears rolling down my face as a result of the cold winds, I spent the early part of the day in search of our first Piping Plovers. It paid off! Sixteen colorful Piping Plovers were seen feeding together on the Southern point.
Much to my surprise, a Glossy Ibis was also seen feeding with some Gulls. According to the Coastal Waterbird Progam, GLIB nest over on Monomoy in the rosa rugosa bushes as well as on Boston Harbor Islands. It is thought that maybe we have a Monomoy or a boston bird.
Much to my surprise, a Glossy Ibis was also seen feeding with some Gulls. According to the Coastal Waterbird Progam, GLIB nest over on Monomoy in the rosa rugosa bushes as well as on Boston Harbor Islands. It is thought that maybe we have a Monomoy or a boston bird.
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