Conserve Wildlife Blog

We Have Liftoff!

June 21st, 2010

First Piping Plover Fledges at Stone Harbor Point

By Christopher Haxter, Seasonal Steward

Piping plover chicks exercise their wings. © Bill Dalton

Back on May 20th, we had our first Piping Plover nest hatch at Stone Harbor Point.  Three out of the four eggs hatched, and since hatching only one chick was lost.  On June 12th, I was delighted to witness the two chicks flying!  When a chick survives to the point where it can fly, we call it a fledge or fledgling; usually about 25 days after hatching for piping plovers.  I observed the pair of chicks flying even before their estimated fledge date; they grew up fast!
Watching the chicks over the last month has been fascinating.  Within a day of hatching they are out of the nest feeding, not straying far from their parents.  They grew quickly in the last month, now they’re just a bit smaller than the parents.  The most discernable difference between the parent and the chicks now is the color of the beak; the chick’s beak is black while the parent’s is still yellow.

It is great news when a chick fledges; it has a much better chance of survival.  As of right now there are three more chicks from another pair at Stone Harbor Point.  Hopefully these chicks are just as successful. Sure makes all the hard work that goes into protecting them seem more worthwhile!

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