Talia Wagener, Normandy Park School
Morris County
Second Place, Morris County, Piping Plover (c) Talia Wagener
The Piping Plover
A slight breeze runs over the rough gravel beach. The sea is empty and everything is quiet except for the soft sound of waves. I send out a whistle, breaking the silence.
Many people call me a Piping Plover. I naturally live on gravel beaches and barrier islands of Coastal New Jersey. Because of where I live I am considered a shorebird. Even though I do have natural predators, I also have some unnatural ones, such as pets. I guess some animals find me as a tasty snack; which consist of dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons, and even rats! I look very simple, with murky white feathers and small gray markings; I blend into my habitat very well. Most animals do not see my while I am standing still. With my carnivorous diet, I enjoy eating insects, marine worms, and crustations. As a sign, sometimes us Plovers flap around like we're wounded (the males in particular) if someone gets too close. Many Piping Plovers can be seen alone or in small flocks.
There are many different threats to us Piping plovers. Humans have been decreasing our habitat by using the shoreline where we live. There are many ways to help our population grow again, such as making more sites for us to live in. People should be careful of littering in the fenced off reserves that we call home. Every year has been harder for us piping plovers because of people's reckless behavior. Many humans are still disrespectful of our species. Not just making more of our natural habitat available will help us. Many can help by being watchful of harmful pets and our reserves.
Written By: Talia Wagener
Normandy Park School, Morristown, NJ
Teacher: Mrs. Toye, Mrs. Cathy Polcaro, and Ms. Wendy Gilson