Factors Affecting Piping Plover Chick Survival in Different Brood-Rearing Habitats

Abstract

The decline of piping plover (Charadrius melodus) populations and subsequent listing as a threatened species has been attributed, in part, to low chick survival. During 1988-90, we observed piping plover chicks daily to evaluate hypotheses of differential food resources, predation, and disturbance explaining differences in chick survival in 3 habitats on Assateague Island National Seashore (AINS), Maryland. Chicks reared on the bay beach and island interior had higher daily survival rates (0.97, 0.99 vs. 0.87; P < 0.001), higher foraging rates (13.3, 10.8 vs. 5.9 attemptsjmin; P < 0.001), and spent more time foraging (76, 80 vs. 37%, P < 0.004) than chicks reared on the ocean beach. Terrestrial arthropod abundance on the bay beach and island interior was greater than on the ocean beach in 5 of 6 cases (P :s 0.01). Amphipods, however, were more abundant on ocean beaches than in bay and island interior habitats each year (P :S 0.03). Chicks 4-5 days old that were reared on the bay beach or island interior habitats were heavier than those reared on the ocean beach (8.5, 7.8 vs. 6.5 g; P < 0.01). Overall disturbance rates did not differ among habitats (behavioral observations; P = 0.29). The number of predator trails did not differ among the 3 habitats (P = 0.2). Red fox (Vulpes wipes) trails were more numerous in the island interior and ocean beach (P < 0.001), ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) burrows were more numerous on ocean beach (P < 0.001), and gull (Larus spp.) and raccoon (Procyon rotor) trails were more numerous on bay beach (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Piping plover chicks moved from ocean beach nest sites to the bay beach and island interior along ephemeral, vegetation-free paths created during winter storms by waves surging across the island. These paths should be maintained to enable piping plover chicks to move to the island interior and bay habitats where chick survival is greatest. Preserving access to high quality brood-rearing habitat will ensure reproductive rates that will sustain the local population and contribute to the species' recovery.

Reproductive Success of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) in Texas

“…The positive influence of brood age on survival indicates that as chicks become older survival increases. This is not surprising, as young chicks are likely more vulnerable to extreme temperatures and depredation than older, larger chicks (Loegering and Fraser 1995;Colwell et al 2007). Schulte (2012) monitored 121 American Oystercatcher chicks using radio telemetry and found that mortality was highest within the first week after hatching and during the early fledging period.…”

Influence of Drought on Annual Survival of the Mountain Plover in Montana

“…A chick that survives to age 11-13 days (about 30 g) more than triples its probability of first year survival. Studies of the Snowy Plover (C. alexandrinus; Warriner et al 1986, Colwell et al 2005, Piping Plover (C. melodus; Powell 1992, Loegering andFraser 1995), andKilldeer (C. vociferous;Powell 1992) have all noted high mortality (>50%) of chicks within the first 10 days of life. Patterns of age-related survival in Mountain Plover chicks have revealed that most mortality occurs soon after hatching and that survival increases with chick age (Graul 1975, Knopf andRupert 1996).…”

Piping Plover response to coastal storms occurring during the nonbreeding season

“…Conversely, extreme storm events, particularly those occurring outside the breeding season, i.e., fall or winter, can create ideal Piping Plover nesting habitat while possibly favoring access to foraging sites for juveniles (Burger 1987, Cohen et al 2009, Environment Canada 2012. Overwashes and breaches created during severe storms facilitate access to ephemeral pools and bay tidal flats (Loegering and Fraser 1995). Moreover, these relatively flat areas are characterized by sparse vegetation and extensive cover of sand, pebbles, and shell fragments, which are favored by Piping Plovers for nesting and raising their broods (Flemming et al 1992, Elias et al 2000.…”

“…The 2006 International Piping Plover Census estimated the eastern Canada Piping Plover population at 460 adults, which corresponds to a decline of 4.3% since 2001 and 9.6% since the 1991 census (Goossen and Amirault-Langlais 2010). Numerous studies have described Piping Plover distribution, abundance, and habitat use, as well as factors affecting productivity throughout North America (Haig and Oring 1985, Burger 1987, Flemming et al 1992, Loegering and Fraser 1995, Rioux et al 2011. However, little is known about the potential influence of coastal storms during the nonbreeding season on Piping Plover habitat and breeding populations.…”