Rose Moves On (but then returns), and 2 Chicks Remain with Monty

In the past few days there has been a lot of changes with the Montrose plover family, some expected, and some that we were hoping to avoid.

Rose has not been seen and we believe she is headed on her southern migration. This is typical for Piping Plovers and for shorebirds in general: the female leaves first, then the male, then the chicks. After laying 8 eggs this past season, then nesting and brooding her 4 hatched chicks, Rose can now build up her strength for several months before her next nesting season.

[7/31/2021 Update - Rose returned to Montrose on 7/30/21. She was observed on the beach all day long, feeding along the lake shore. Her bands were covered in mud, hiding the colors and confusing many! ]

Unfortunately, we have also lost 2 chicks in the past week. The chick with the red star went missing first, then two days later the chick with the blue star went missing. Both chicks disappeared during the day, despite our best efforts at monitoring them. Their range has been gradually expanding, often dispersed over a fairly large area, and no one was able to witness their disappearance. Plover chicks are small and still cannot fly, and are therefore extremely vulnerable to predation. Although we have no conclusive evidence, the area has been visited repeatedly by Peregrine Falcons, Cooper's Hawks, American Kestrels, Great Blue Herons, Herring Gulls and scores of Ring-billed Gulls. In addition, a family of Killdeer with young has been competing for the space. All are known chick predators.

Several agencies (USFWS, IDNR and USDA) have been involved in managing the situation with various tools, the proper permits and without harm to any predators.

We are disappointed by the presumed losses but continue to focus on the safety of the remaining 2 chicks., who are being closely monitored by Monty, and by volunteer human volunteers.

Monty with 2 chicks in grass, photo: Judy Cheske