Skip to main content

Piping Plovers on Cape Cod

Forget spring fever, I have summer fever! I can hardly wait for it to be beach season. This editorial cartoon on CapeCodOnline.com made me laugh and think back fondly on my trips to the Spit in Popponesset in Mashpee.



Source: CapeCodOnline.com Editorial Cartoons

There's a piping plover nesting area at the Spit, and this cartoon is not too far off from reality. During the most critical time of nesting season there are Audubon volunteers who actually patrol the roped-off area to make sure dogs and children don't trample the nests. Not only do they patrol the borders of the nesting site, they also provide educational pamphlets explaining why that area is off-limits.

I know I have video footage and pictures of piping plovers on Martha's Vineyard and in North Truro but I guess I haven't posted them yet. I just have pictures of a pacific golden plover in Hawaii, and a semipalmated plover in East Sandwich. I'll have to go through my laptop at home and find them. Actually, an interesting fact about the semipalmated plover- semipalmated means "half-webbed" referring to its two toes.

Labels:

Comments

Dawn Fine said…
Ha..Cute cartoon..thanks for sharing!
April 2, 2009 at 12:53:00 PM PDT
Andy said…
Reminds me of a story a co-worker told me.

His kids were small and the brother screams at his sister, "Hey, you're not suppose to touch those birds!"
The little sister screams back angrily, "I'm just petting it".
My co-worker said all eyes turned to the direction of the kids with his little daughter "petting" a baby plover. :lol:
Neither the child or bird was hurt :)
April 2, 2009 at 12:54:00 PM PDT
Birdinggirl said…
@Dawn- thanks!

@Andy- That's a crazy story! I'm sure those Audubon volunteers would have a meltdown if they heard it. I've never gotten close enough to see the nests, but just watch them along the beach.
April 4, 2009 at 2:02:00 PM PDT
Spencer said…
At the Platte River, we also have a piping plover sanctuary, with strict-looking signs warning you not to walk there. It's nice to see these birds getting the protection they need.
April 18, 2009 at 7:03:00 PM PDT
Birdinggirl said…
@Spencer- that's good to hear! You're right- they do need all the help they can get. On Cape Cod there are a lot of people who get frustrated when portions of the National Seashore are closed to Oversand Vehicles because of nesting plovers. But usually the closings are only temporary, and the birds really do need that much of a protection barrier.
April 22, 2009 at 6:46:00 AM PDT
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Difference Between Grackles and Starlings

I saw a sad sight today during my lunchtime jog—a dead grackle. Or was it a starling? I'll get to that in a minute. I was making my way down to the trail along the Charles River when I saw what I thought was an injured bird in the middle of the road. It was just sitting there and I figured it was just stunned or maybe had an injured wing. The bird probably didn't have much of a chance, but the least I could move it out of the road. As I got closer to the bird I saw it had its mouth open and then I realized the gruesome truth—it was dead and was frozen in that position. I just got shivers thinking about it. The poor thing. Anyway, so it got me to thinking 'What is the difference between grackles and starlings?' I use the two interchangeably and haven't really made an effort to sort it out. Until now. I like to use All About Birds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as an online resource. The site is comprehensive and easy to use. (I also really like the 'Cool ...
26 comments
Read more

Killdeer Chick in Yellowstone National Park

These were taken at West Thumb Geyser Basis, along the beach. It was really cool to get to watch these little chicks up close and personal. I had never seen Killdeer chicks before- only adults. These pictures are from our trip to Montana/Wyoming in July 2012.
1 comment
Read more

Indigo Bunting at Mt. Auburn Cemetery- Lifer!

I was so excited to see my first Indigo Bunting today. I quickly ran over to Mt. Auburn during lunch to take advantage of peak warbler season before it's over. I'm going to be in San Francisco for work all next week so I fear by the time I get back the birds will have moved on. There were a lot of birders there today and of course lots of activity around the Dell. That's where I saw a flash of blue fly into the undergrowth at the edge of the water. None of the other birders with scopes set up were bothering to look at it. I'm assuming they had already seen it and were focusing on other more exciting birds- such as the pair of screech owls that have been reported at the Dell recently. Here is where I first sighted him at the edge of the water. There was also a female cardinal there splashing around trying to cool off. He then flew up into the bushes on top of the wall behind the Dell, where I got a better picture. I was very pleased with the day! It's addicting tho...
8 comments
Read more