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.

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

Cathleen Voss 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

Cathleen Voss 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

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