The recovery of the Piping Plover population requires a collective effort of individuals, communities, conservation groups, industry and governments. Already, local “Guardians” are The posting signs on beaches to mark Piping Plover breeding areas and are sharing information on protecting the species with beach-goers and landowners. With the participation of all, the Piping Plover recovery of this species is possible.

The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus melodus) is a smallsmall, migratory shorebird thathat You can help keep the Piping Plover safe by following breeds on the sandy and stony coastal beaches of Eastern Canada between April and these tips at the beach. August. The Piping Plover establishes territories, lays eggs and raises young on the open beach between the ocean and dunes. Camoufl age is the Piping Plover’s main 1. From April through August, stay away 6. Report the location of Piping Plovers defence. The sand-coloured adults, chicks and eggs are very diffi cult to see. from fenced and posted Piping Plover and their nests to Environment breeding areas and walk on the wet Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. The sand close to the water’s edge. 7. If you see people, pets or vehicles 2. Keep pets leashed, because roaming disturbing Piping Plovers or their MID-APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER pets can disturb Piping Plovers. nests, contact Environment Canada’s Piping Adults arrive Canadian Wildlife Service. The Wildlife males defend territories 3. Remove food waste and garbage Service will pass on the information to a Find mate and nest site from the beach to avoid attracting adults make nest local organization that can do something Females lay eggs predators that will endanger Piping about it. Plover nests not tended regularly IN EASTERN CANADA Plover adults, chicks and eggs. Adults incubate nests nests tended regularly 8. Get involved. Join a local Piping 4. Leave driftwood, shells and seaweed Chicks on beach Plover conservation organization and chicks cannot fly for about four weeks and are tended by adults on the beach, because Piping Plovers volunteer to protect the species and its Migration preparation need these to feed on and for cover. feed and rest habitat, and help spread the word about 5. Do not operate any vehicles on its plight. Contact Environment Canada’s beaches or dunes, because vehicles Canadian Wildlife Service for information can disturb Piping Plovers, crush eggs on Piping Plover conservation LEGEND organizations in your area. peak activity and chicks, and damage beach and off-peak activity dune habitat.

Dunes Dry sand = Sensitive nesting area Wet sand = Ocean What is being done to protect the Piping Plover? Safe walking area In 1985, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada designated the Piping Plover as endangered, which means that the species is at great risk of disappearing from Canada. The Piping Plover was listed under the federal Species at Risk Act in 2003. Walk on the beach here Provincial endangered species or wildlife legislation to protect the Piping Plover exists in all Atlantic provinces as well as Quebec.

(Source: Bird Studies Canada) Photo credits Front cover (left to right): Environment Canada, Sidney Maddock, Sidney Maddock. Panels 2 and 3: Sidney Maddock. Watch for this symbol Why is the Piping Plover endangered? on beaches in The Piping Plover has only a limited time to mate, and fi nding a safe place to breed is challenging. Many human activities on beaches threaten, Atlantic Canada and Quebec disturb or harm adults, chicks and eggs. Predators, habitat loss and environmental factors are also threats to the Piping Plover.

Interesting facts

• Adult Piping Plovers weigh the To learn more about the Piping Plover equivalent of six to eight toonies. and how you can help protect the species, visit the Hinterland Who’s Human disturbances Vehicle traffic Predators • At hatching, Piping Plover chicks Who website (www.hww.ca) and weigh approximately the equivalent the Species at Risk Public Registry Even seemingly harmless activities, such as Vehicles on beaches, including trucks, all- Predators that eat Piping Plover eggs, of two pennies. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca) or contact walking, sunbathing and fi shing near Piping terrain vehicles and kite buggies, are severe chicks and adults are a major threat. Environment Canada’s Canadian Plover territories, can harm breeding pairs. threats to the Piping Plover. Adult birds, Gulls, crows and foxes are the most • Piping Plover chicks leave the nest Wildlife Service: Human presence can cause the adult birds chicks and eggs are diffi cult to spot and are common predators in Eastern Canada. hours after hatching and have to to abandon nests completely or leave eggs easily crushed. Disturbance from vehicle However, minks, weasels, raccoons, ravens, feed themselves. Atlantic Region exposed to the elements and predators. traffi c can cause adult Piping Plovers to skunks and domestic pets also pose a threat. • Male and female Piping Plovers Canadian Wildlife Service Unleashed pets, horseback riding, camping leave their nests. Tire ruts can trap chicks spend equal amounts of time Environment Canada and campfi res, fi reworks and kite-fl ying on that cannot fl y, causing them to become Human activity makes the challenge tending their eggs. PO Box 6227 beaches can also disturb and harm adult separated from the adults. Vehicles also of conserving the Piping Plover even greater, since food scraps, garbage and 17 Waterfowl Lane Piping Plovers, nests and young chicks. damage dunes. This can accelerate beach • As of 2008, there are even human presence attract predators Sackville NB E4L 1G6 erosion, which can lead to the permanent approximately 250 pairs of Piping to beaches. Tel.: 506-364-5044 loss of Piping Plover habitat. Plovers breeding in Eastern Email: [email protected] Canada. Habitat loss Environmental factors Quebec Region Piping Plover habitat is being lost and Coastlines are constantly changing as the Canadian Wildlife Service damaged as more of Canada’s coastlines wind, waves and tides reshape them. An Environment Canada are developed. Buildings and structures increase in powerful storm events and rising PO Box 10100 such as erosion control walls that are sea levels are among the predicted impacts 1141 Route de l’Église inappropriately placed can destroy beaches of climate change, which will further reduce CP 10100, 9th Floor or cause Piping Plovers to abandon their the availability of undisturbed breeding Québec QC G1V 4H5 nesting and feeding sites. habitat for Piping Plovers. Tel.: 1-800-463-4311 Email: [email protected]

Photo credits Aussi disponible en français. Piping Plover chicks, left and right: Sidney Maddock. Panels 2 to 4 (left to right): Environment Canada, ISBN: 978-1-100-12563-3 Photos.com, Environment Cat. no.: CW66-170/2009E-PDF Canada, Sidney Maddock, Photos.com.