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They're Back, Baby!
An endangered shorebird has begun nesting on Lake Huron beaches, and that’s a good sign for people concerned about good lake health.
The tiny Piping Plover has made its way back to Sauble Beach to nest for the eighth consecutive year. Before that, it was absent from Great Lakes shorelines in Ontario for 40 years. It’s very picky where it nests, but it’s no coincidence that it is preferring high quality beaches where beach and dune conservation efforts have taken place.
Two nests are currently at Sauble Beach, and a nest has appeared for the first time in Port Elgin, at the main beach. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is also a nesting destination for some Plovers. The birds and their young present some challenges for beach managers and beach-goers since they do need some space to do their thing. But it is possible to beach in harmony with the little birds. It takes a bit of patience, and an understanding that these are an endangered species.
Two nests are currently at Sauble Beach, and a nest has appeared for the first time in Port Elgin, at the main beach. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is also a nesting destination for some Plovers. The birds and their young present some challenges for beach managers and beach-goers since they do need some space to do their thing. But it is possible to beach in harmony with the little birds. It takes a bit of patience, and an understanding that these are an endangered species.
In fact, their dubious distinction makes them a bit of an attraction. Plovers are endangered throughout North America. This isn’t lost on the many birders who come to get a glance, or a photo, of this tiny beach bird.
Aside from their rarity, these birds provide an indicator, or 'marker,' of good beach quality. And, as it happens, each of these three Ontario beaches have undertaken conservation measures that have improved beach sand quality and quantity, restored the natural dunes, reduced erosion and improved local water quality. So when the Piping Plover comes to nest, that tells us our shores must be doing all right.
Aside from their rarity, these birds provide an indicator, or 'marker,' of good beach quality. And, as it happens, each of these three Ontario beaches have undertaken conservation measures that have improved beach sand quality and quantity, restored the natural dunes, reduced erosion and improved local water quality. So when the Piping Plover comes to nest, that tells us our shores must be doing all right.
Plover Report for Sauble Beach:
- four pairs on the beach this year.
- lost two nest to predation, possibly a weasel or mink; however, both pairs re-nested.
- the first pairs clutch hatched on July 6.
- only 2 of the 4 eggs hatched and both chicks were taken — one by a gull the first day and the other the following morning by a gull or merlin.
- there are 3 nests left on Sauble Beach and they are due to hatch July 17, 24, and 27th.
Plover Report for Port Elgin Beach:
- a total of 4 chicks hatched on June 23.
- the chicks are doing well and are starting to stretch their wings.
- they are also getting quite big now at 2.5 weeks old.
- the female and male are still caring for the chicks.
Threats to Beaches:
Tips for Protecting Plovers:
- stay out of fenced-off beach areas as this is important habitat for plover nesting and raising young
- keep pets off the beach, and make sure they are on a leash
- if you see a Piping plover, please keep your distance
- do not feed the gulls, as these birds will prey upon the plover’s eggs and chicks
- put your garbage in the proper receptacle. Gulls can be attracted to garbage on the beach
- look for volunteers on the beach wearing orange vests and feel free to ask questions and view the plovers with them
- if you'd like to volunteer to watch over the Plovers, contact Craig Todd at the Ministry of Natural Resources - craig.todd@ontario.ca
Learn more about Piping Plovers click here.
[article by Geoff Peach, Coastal Resources Manager]
Just Average??
Water levels on Lake Huron have been low so long, that a rebound to average conditions is a cause for celebration. Since 1998, when levels dropped dramatically, and then remained low until early last year, people have wondered if we’d ever see ‘normal’ conditions again. Well, some really wet seasons, including the large accumulations of snow and ice cover of this past winter, show how quickly things can change on such a big water body.
After an unusually cold winter in the Great Lakes region, Spring 2014 was also cooler than normal, coming in as the 5th coldest on record since 1948. Great Lakes ice cover reached 92.5% by early March, making it the second greatest amount of ice cover since record keeping began in 1973.
2014 has seen a larger-than-average seasonal lake level rise, bringing Lake Huron, to just 16 centimetres below the 1918-2013 average and making the Great Lake 35 centimetres higher than the same time last year. In January 2013, levels on Lake Huron marked a record low, 70 cm. below ‘chart datum’. Since then, the rebound has been remarkable, rising over one metre since that low point.
[Note: reliable water level records on the Great Lakes began in 1918, so the historical record typically refers to that start point. Also, from a hydrological standpoint, Lakes Michigan and Huron are considered to be a single lake, due to the deep Straits of Mackinac that connect them. The level on Lake Michigan is the same as the level on Lake Huron.]
May 2014 Water supplies were well above average during May on Lake Michigan–Huron causing this lake’s level to rise by 16 cm, double its average May increase of 8 cm and the sixth highest May rise on record
April 2014 Water supplies in April were also well above average on Lake Michigan–Huron causing this lake’s level to rise by 20 cm, nearly double its average April increase of 11 cm and the sixth highest April rise on record. Looking back to the year before, Lake Michigan–Huron’s level rose by 24 cm, more than double its average. The 24 cm increase was only 1 cm less than the record April rise of 1951
[sources: Environment Canada; US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]
More on Lake Levels - click here.
Lazy Days of Summer
During those hot summer days when all you want to do is lounge with a cold beverage, there aren't too many activities that will get you moving. But if you focus all of your energy, a fun activity that doesn't require you to leave your lounge — is making a donation to the Coastal Centre! You can do it the old fashioned way and write a cheque (requires about 0.032 kilo joules of energy expenditure), or the new-fangled method through your tablet or smart phone (needs about 0.026 kilo joules of energy). Either way, you won't even break a sweat. How cool is that?
You can donate online through CanadaHelps, or send a donation cheque by mail. For more information on donating to the Centre, visit our donate page.