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Piping Plovers, an endangered shorebird species, are having a hard time this year. The recovery of this species depends on a successful nesting season. So far, it doesn't look good. These birds began nesting on our Nova Scotia beaches in April and May, and of 25 nests found and monitored (searching and monitoring is allowed only for those issued permits from the Canadian Wildlife Service), at least 15 have been lost! Most of these nest losses have been due to predators such as crows, or by the high storm tides that have washed out their nests. But because Piping Plovers may nest a second time, all is not lost! The later the nesting season goes, however, the less liklihood for success. Piping Plovers need our help more than ever this season! Here's how you can help . . . If you are going to a Piping Plover beach (which are well-marked with signs) in June, July, and August, please remember: * Please do not walk along or in the dunes. * Walk below the high water line (indicated by seaweed lining the shore) close to the water. Predators follow human tracks because they know there may be a meal in the offing. By walking below the high water mark, predators are not attracted to critical nesting areas. * Please, please keep your dog on a leash and out of the areas indicated above. Plovers view dogs (and humans) as predators. They will leave their nests when predators are near (exposing the eggs to weather) and chicks will stop feeding until they are long gone (losing valuable feeding time before they fly south in August and September). * Please do not drive vehicles on the beach. Vehicle noise causes plovers to react the way they do for predators. Vehicles can also crush nests and chicks. * Put your own and other's litter in its place - in a trash or recycling can. Litter attracts crows, gulls, racoons and other predators to where Piping Plovers nest, contributing to egg loss. * Please respect the signs posted and keep away from these areas. If you observe an adult Piping Plover that is behaving as if it has a broken wing, displaying head bobbing or vocalizing, you are likely very near a nest or young chicks. Move to the water's edge and observe Piping Plovers through binoculars. If you would like more information, please contact me or your local Department of Natural Resources or Environment Canada office. Let's work together to help protect this species. Thank you! Anna Anna McCarron Program Coordinator Nova Scotia Coastal Guardian Program 19 Thompson Drive, Wellington, NS B2T 1J4 Phone/fax (please call first): (902) 860-1263 Email: plover@istar.ca Anna McCarron 19 Thompson Drive Wellington, NS B2T 1J4 phone / fax: (902) 861-3624 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- SUST-MAR TIP: our archives are http://www.chebucto.ca/lists/sust-mar CBC enviro news-briefs follow: -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- HIGHWAY 101 WORKERS DISCOVER HUMAN REMAINS RCMP are investigating the discovery of a human skull near Windsor. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_remains020614 INVESTIGATORS LOOK FOR CAUSE OF GARBAGE FIRE A dump fire has been put out at the Kemptown balefill facility, in Colchester County. More than 60 firefighters spent the night fighting the fire. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_kemptown020614 STORA WARNS SECOND MILL COULD CLOSE The paper company, Stora Enso, is now threatening to close the newer of its two mills in Port Hawkesbury, if it does not get lower operating costs. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_stora020614 © Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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