The sessions will review the biology of the piping plover, how to monitor breeding pairs and chicks, volunteer organization and logistics and law enforcement information. The sand-coloured adults, chicks, and eggs are very difficult to see. We’ve spoken with many people who have never seen an adult Piping Plover, let alone chicks in their breeding territory. Partners that helped protect these birds include researchers from the University of Minnesota, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery Effort. Piping Plover Volunteer Training Guide Why Piping Plovers Need Our Help The threats Why is it a threat? Piping Plover Project. Volunteers are stationed at the site seven days per week, 12 hours per day as they monitor the Piping Plovers and record behaviour accordingly. But as a volunteer, interacting with the public has been a very rewarding experience, too. A Piping Plover Monitor works full time during the breeding season to monitor nesting plovers, coordinate beach management activities such as beach raking and cleaning, and facilitate public awareness about the protection of the birds and their habitat. If you would like to volunteer for the Piping Plover Recovery Project, please visit our Volunteer page and contact us. Volunteering with Piping Plover. The threatened piping plover has been the focus of intensive conservation in Massachusetts. 2016 Maine Piping Plover and Least Tern Project Report (PDF) Like us on Facebook. Volunteer training sessions will review the following: biology of the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Least Tern; how to monitor breeding pairs and chicks; volunteer organization and logistics; and law enforcement information. Fish and Wildlife Service and MassWildlife, the plover population here has come a long way since the shorebird was protected under the Endangered Species Act, with the population increasing by about 500 percent since it was listed in 1986. How to share the beach with Piping Plovers “If you want to be involved in a program that clearly is successful, this is it.” March 8, 2018 – Piping Plovers will be migrating back to Connecticut’s beaches any day now and conservationists are preparing to do everything possible to help them have a breeding season as successful as last year’s, starting with training sessions for experienced volunteers and newcomers. 1. The U.S. People getting too close to nesting areas Walkers, sunbathers, off-leash dogs, picnickers, kite fliers and surfers, horseback riders, and vehicle traffic can get too close. Camouflage is the Piping Plover’s main defence. Public Outreach and Monitoring Nests: A key component to the recovery of Piping Plovers is the Volunteer Program. Fish and Wildlife Service is relying on volunteers to monitor the critically endangered piping plover during its nesting season this summer, from May 1 st to July 15 th.. Patrols have already been established in Michigan national forest and state parks, including Sleeping Bear Dunes lakeshore. Thanks to continuing efforts by the many partners of the U.S. When a piping plover nest is located, the plover monitor, together with 2 or 3 volunteers erects an "exclosure" around the nest. If you find a plover nest, please call our team at 207.233.6811. Lake Ontario Piping Plover Monitoring-Piping Plovers were observed at Sandy Island Beach State Park and Lakeview Wildlife Management Area in 2015 and we are hoping they will continue to return. Plover technician, Stormy Vandeplas, and volunteer, Kevin Bronson, were thrilled to find plovers nesting on Fowler Beach. Please report your Piping Plover sightings to Audubon Alliance staff, CT DEEP, the U.S. Diligent volunteers like Kennedy have taken to monitoring the plover nests and surrounding areas, to ensure the birds can raise their young in safety. (KenCanning/iStock) Comments X. As a volunteer you will be involved in sharing information about the birds with the public, monitoring bird behaviour and spreading stewardship messages about our beach. We are looking for both new and returning volunteers to help with our 2019 Piping Plover Recovery Program. Maine Healthy Beaches .. 2016 Piping Plover Study.