Piping Plover Update Week 7

Whitefish Point

One-two-three-four little plover chicks walking across the shore! Little Bill Bob and Vie’s nest hatched Saturday June 21 with four healthy chicks. I spent that morning sitting in the rain with Rusty and Gladys at Vermilion. When I arrived at the Point to see Bob hovering over the nest with feathers ruffled, I knew the chicks were coming. Sure enough, after a few minutes I saw little legs moving beneath him. A few seconds later a tiny chick emerged. I watched mesmerized, as the sprout slowly began exploring its world. It would take tiny steps, shuffling across the sand, not traveling too far from the nest. After a little bit the chick would return to Bob, snuggling under his feathers. Once Vie came and traded shifts I discerned there were two more chicks that had hatched, laying in the scrape. The eggs hatch asynchronously, and each chick was at a different stage of acclimating.

A freshly hatched PIPL chick traverses the shore. Photo by Stephanie Owens

I was standing at the water viewing the family and decided to change positioning on the beach to give them more room. When I reached a new spot just West of them, I peered through my spotting scope and discovered a surprise. A Painted Turtle was at the edge of the exclosure, stymied enroute by the obstruction. For half a second I was shocked, was this turtle trying to find a meal? I wasn’t about to stand around and find out. I quickly paced towards the nest, giving it a wide birth while watching every step. The parents were scurrying around in panic at the both of us, as I bent down and picked up the turtle by its shell. I swiftly exited the area, and once back at my scope watched as the parents returned to their young. I then took my reptilian friend and released him in a marsh by the Museum.

A Painted Turtle that visited the WFP Nest. Photo by Stephanie Owens

I was later informed by Piping Plover Expert Francie Cuthbert that they’ve never had issues with turtles before. We both concluded that this particular one was probably just trying to make its way across the beach, accidentally intruding on the plover family.

The next day I was delighted to find four chicks stumbling across the shore. Everyone was getting familiar with the new sensation of walking, occasionally tumbling over but recovering with stride.

A few days old PIPL chick stumbles (he gets back up). Photo by Polly Sheppard

I find these early days so tender, as Vie and Bob watch over their hatchlings with care. The family spends their days maneuvering across the beach, the parents calling, directing their young where to go. The chicks will clomp around all scattered, eventually rejoining together beneath the safety of a parent’s wings.

PIPL Vie shelters a chick beneath her wings. Photo by Polly Sheppard

Each day the chicks grow in strength and confidence, reaching new distances and obstacles. I look forward to watching their journey and reporting it back to you.

Vermilion Point

As for Gladys and Rusty, the wait is just a few more days. The pair continue incubating their three eggs with anticipation for the hatch date of June 28.

~ Stephanie Owens, 2025 Piping Plover Monitor

Featured Photo: PIPL chick sits peacefully in the sand | Stephanie Owens