Piping Plover Updates Week 9

It’s been another exciting week at the Point, full of milestones for our favorite little Piping Plover family. The last remaining chick – who I’ve nicknamed “Butters”- continues to grow stronger and more independent each day. From first flight attempts to an exciting banding day, its been a week full of progress mixed with the bittersweet reminder that migration season has begun.

Butters is growing bigger every day, and I’ve caught him in even more attempts at flight this week, and even gaining brief air time. Go Butters! It’s already been very bittersweet watching him grow during last two weeks, gaining both plumage and confidence with each passing day.

Butters’ Flight Attempt. Photo by Morgan Ness

Adult female Piping Plovers are the first to begin their migration south for the winter, typically leaving in early July. On July 10th and 11th, V was not seen at the Point. She was, however, spotted about five miles from the Point at the Vermilion site spending time with the female plovers there. On July 12th, she returned to the Point to spend time with little Butters and G, but hasn’t been seen back since. It is likely she has now begun her journey south, and I am hopeful to see her return to the Point again next summer! Soon, G will follow and eventually Butters will make the journey last.

V Foraging. Photo by Morgan Ness

With V gone, it’s up to G to protect their remaining chick. He’s doing an excellent job watching over Butters despite the many predators that have been frequenting the area including gulls, crows, ravens, Merlins, and even the occasional fox. I spent many morning this week rushing to flush out crows that ventured too close to the plovers. To help discourage these unwelcome visitors, a very homemade scarecrow was placed near the enclosure. So far, it seems to be helping, with fewer crows bothering the family, though it’s still a little too early to know whether it’s truly keeping them away.

G Chasing Gull. Photo by Lynn Miller

July 15th was an especially exciting day because nineteen-day old Butters officially received his bands! A special thank you to Stephanie Schubel and her team for coming out, especially with the poor air quality, to both band the chick and re-band G earlier this season. If you’re visiting the Point over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for Butters’ new band combination: X,B:-O(Bdot, 298). These unique color bands are an important part of the Piping Plover recovery efforts, as they help track their movements, survival, and return to breeding grounds.

Butters Food Gets Away. Photo by Morgan Ness

As Butters continues practicing his flying skills and preparing for his own migration, each day feels like another important step toward independence. While its hard to watch this little family begin to part ways, its also incredibly rewarding to witness another successful Piping Plover season unfold. Here’s to hoping G and Butters continue to thrive over the next coming weeks, and that next spring we’ll once again welcome familiar faces to the Point.

-Morgan Ness, 2026 Piping Plover Monitor

Feature Photo: Butters on the Beach by M. Ness