Rosy plover outlook given

By Jasmine Marshall /Times Staff Writer

OCEANO -- Halfway through breeding season for the Western snowy plover,
state parks officials are cautiously optimistic that more of the endangered
shore bird's chicks will reach adulthood at the Oceano Dunes this year.

Surveys conducted by ecologists at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation
Area indicate that of the 50 plover chicks hatched there this year, 20 have
reached fledgling age -- when they are capable of flying.

Last season saw a high number of deaths among fledging plovers because of
predators such as loggerhead shrikes -- a species of songbird known as the
"butcher bird" for the way it impales its prey on its beak. Last year, only two
plover chicks reached the fledgling stage.

In 2001, shrikes easily killed off plover fledglings by perching themselves on
fence posts of enclosures meant to protect plover nests -- giving them an easy
view of their prey. This year, the fencing has been modified according to
recommendations by experts at the Point Reyes National Bird Observatory and
the California Coastal Commission.

"Avian predators hit us hard last year, specifically the loggerhead shrike," said Laura Gardner, district resource ecologist at the Oceano Dunes. "With the implementation of a predator management plan in 2002, which includes relocation of the resident shrikes, the outcome looks promising."

Yet not promising enough for environmental groups including the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Environmental Defense Center. Last year, attorneys with the EDC filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming State Parks violated the federal Endangered Species Act by operating the popular off-roading park without an incidental take permit from state and federal agencies which would allow for the deaths of protected species like the plover. The case has yet to be resolved.

While calling the preliminary data on this season "encouraging," Gordon Hensley, staff biologist for the EDC said state park's "management focuses on only one element of the problem and remains ineffective."

"We are interested to hear what happened to the 30 plover chicks that didn't fledge," Hensley continued. "They are still far from the goal of one fledgling per breeding pair outlined in the draft recovery plan for the species."

Tarren Collins, chairwoman of the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club, said state parks "is making no headway; even one death of a plover fledgling is a violation of the Endangered Species Act."

Snowy plovers will continue their breeding and fledging season untilmid-September, coinciding with the busiest rush of campers at the Oceano Dunes.

* Staff writer Jasmine Marshall can be reached at (805) 739-2219, or by e-mail
at jmarshall@pulitzer.net.

July 27, 2002

Originally posted by Crowdog
Rosy plover outlook given


In 2001, shrikes easily killed off plover fledglings by perching themselves on
fence posts of enclosures meant to protect plover nests -- giving them an easy
view of their prey. This year, the fencing has been modified according to
recommendations by experts at the Point Reyes National Bird Observatory and
the California Coastal Commission.

"Avian predators hit us hard last year, specifically the loggerhead shrike," said Laura Gardner, district resource ecologist at the Oceano Dunes. "With the implementation of a predator management plan in 2002, which includes relocation of the resident shrikes, the outcome looks promising."



Just goes to show that proper management, not fences, is the answer. Glad to hear the birds are doing better than in years past.