Maine’s piping plover numbers on the rise
FALMOUTH, Maine (AP) – Maine Audubon says the number of piping plovers along the state’s beaches is on the rise.
Wildlife ecologist Jody Jones told WMTW-TV that a survey this month counted 27 pairs of plovers. That’s up from 24 pairs in last year’s survey, but is down from the 66 pairs that were recorded in 2002.
Jones credited the increase to a lack of high tides during part of the spring, a decline in predators and efforts by municipalities to protect the birds’ beach nesting areas.
The bird is protected under the Endangered Species Act.
This year’s survey was done by volunteers and professionals from groups including the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Audubon and municipalities.
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.