The Piping Plover (
Charadrius melodus melodus) is a small, migratory shorebird that breeds on the sandy and stony coastal beaches of Eastern Canada between April and August. The Piping Plover establishes territories, lays eggs and raises young on the open beach between the ocean and dunes. Camouflage is the Piping Plover’s main defence. The sand-coloured adults, chicks and eggs are very difficult to see.
- From April through August, stay away from fenced and posted Piping Plover breeding areas and walk on the wet sand close to the water’s edge.
- Keep pets leashed, because roaming pets can disturb Piping Plovers.
- Remove food waste and garbage from the beach to avoid attracting predators that will endanger Piping Plover adults, chicks and eggs.
- Leave driftwood, shells and seaweed on the beach, because Piping Plovers need these to feed on and for cover.
- Do not operate any vehicles on beaches or dunes, because vehicles can disturb Piping Plovers, crush eggs and chicks, and damage beach and dune habitat.
- Report the location of Piping Plovers and their nests to Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service.
- If you see people, pets or vehicles disturbing Piping Plovers or their nests, contact Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. The Wildlife Service will pass on the information to a local organization that can do something about it.
- Get involved. Join a local Piping Plover conservation organization and volunteer to protect the species and its habitat, and help spread the word about its plight. Contact Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service for information on Piping Plover conservation organizations in your area.
- Adult Piping Plovers weigh the equivalent of six to eight toonies.
- At hatching, Piping Plover chicks weigh approximately the equivalent of two pennies.
- Piping Plover chicks leave the nest hours after hatching and have to feed themselves.
- Male and female Piping Plovers spend equal amounts of time tending their eggs.
- As of 2008, there are approximately 250 pairs of Piping Plovers breeding in Eastern Canada.
