Locating, Observing and Documenting PIPL on the Winter Range

Overview

Piping Plover wintering habitats are highly dynamic environments constantly changing in response to weather, moon phases, seasons, tides and multiple diverse impacts. Wintering plovers continuously respond to these fluctuating conditions, thus requiring observers to also adapt their efforts and techniques to effectively monitor and survey local or regional populations.

Equipment

Observers should use binoculars to scan large areas, and use a spotting scope to scan difficult to see areas (such as wrack) and the legs of Piping Plovers to see bands. Binoculars usually are not sufficient to accurately determine some bands such as split or triple split band colors.  Variable power eyepieces are optimal for band detection and reading. For recording field observations, small, surveyor-Field /Transit books serve well and fit into a coat or jacket pocket. (data is later transferred onto supplied forms) Such books are available via internet suppliers or local surveyor supply stores (Dissen and Elan are two publishers).  Another possible method is to take the datasheet with you in the field with a clipboard.  This method tends to reduce transcription errors.

Winter Habitats and Behavior

Across the winter range, plovers generally occupy linear beaches or mosaics of habitats in/near inlets.  Plovers disperse to forage on ebbing (receding) tides and gather in small groups to roost during the highest tide periods. For censusing populations, the latter period is preferred and is also the period most conducive to band detection, reading and recording.  In addition, piping plovers are known to use barrier islands, mud flats, sand flats, algal flats, and washover fans or passes.

Local plover populations are not static in their choice of forage and roost sites, rather they shift around winter territory in response to changing conditions. It is important for observers to become familiar with local populations, their habitats, behavior and movement to effectively monitor and survey populations.

Linear beaches: Easiest to survey but requires caution. Most effective search technique is to walk (ideally) or drive midway between lower, wet beach and the high beach thus facilitating scans of both habitats for foraging or roosting birds. If two observers are present, one should scan the high beach while the other scans the lower beach. Despite tide status, plovers can occupy either zone at any time. Plovers will roost individually, in scattered groups, or as dense flocks at localized sites; Piping Plovers may be mixed in with other shorebirds. If a single bird is sighted, search carefully for additional birds and/or stop vehicle and scan carefully with scope. If roosting flocks of other shorebird species are present, always search around their perimeter for isolated pockets of PIPL.

For foraging plovers, it can be better to make observations from higher on the beach and at a right angle to the wet beach, rather then parallel to or along the lower beach in the foraging zone, but care should be taken to ensure that the proper lighting is available at your approach angle; it is nearly impossible to resight bands if the bird is “backlit” or the sun is behind the bird from your position. If near an inlet, watch the birds as they shift location or take flight and trace their direction of flight toward distant foraging or roost sites.

Inlet habitats: Most challenging to survey since plovers shift across multiple and sometimes distant sites. For roosting birds, inspect every roosting shorebird flock in area, search sand spits, isolated sand islands (via vessel) and remote high beaches. When found, trace plover movements as they disperse on ebbing tides to foraging sites. As on linear beaches, approach roosting birds in a straight line, but this may require more caution on islands or at isolated, highly exposed sites.

Approaching & Viewing Plovers

For band detection and reading, optimum perspective for roosting or foraging birds is with sun behind observer. For roosting birds (with scope mounted on tripod) approach in straight line, a few feet at a time. If more then one person is in party, one observer should approach alone or with both partners very close together. DO NOT approach plovers from two directions at same time under any circumstances! 

When possible, conduct surveys in fair weather. Cold, wet, blustery conditions stress plovers and reduce critical foraging periods.  In addition, plovers tend to be more flighty, particularly when winds are high, making band resighting difficult.

If plovers are unusually nervous, lower the tripod and your profile and advance on knees. Plovers telegraph their toleration of the observer by raising their head from beneath their wings (sleep posture) standing up or slowly walking away. By alternating slow advances with occasional rest periods, the observer may be able to approach roosting plovers close enough to effectively search an entire group for bands. Conversely, observers should avoid persistent disturbance of nervous plovers by aggressively “chasing” them. Never disturb or flush plovers in the presence of a perched or flying raptor. Plovers will telegraph raptor detection by crouching very low and tilting their heads to scan the sky above. Remain stationary until the plovers resume their normal roosting or foraging behavior.

For band detection and accurate documentation of roosting birds, collect data on any exposed legs and/or leg segments. On public beaches or in areas of frequent use, one observer may be required to look out for potential disturbances and divert such activities away from roosting birds and the primary observer. Beach walkers are generally cooperative and will divert around plovers when politely requested to do so.

Once a roost site is discovered, observers can time subsequent visits to be on-site as birds arrive. Conversely, observers can visit on the first of ebb tide as birds disperse to forage and, as above, offer viewing opportunities. (Careful attention to predicted tides is crucial for such efforts)

If and when bands are detected, it is beneficial for multiple observers to compare notes and impressions of colors and combinations. Take time to study bands, colors, flags and leg locations. If color bands seem odd or unusual, consider split bands, color fading, mud or other contamination of band. If and when possible, photo-document banded birds, but this is by no means necessary.  In the excitement of discovery, confusion of legs and band data is problematic. Develop the practice and habit of recording bands in an ordered sequence - plover’s left tibia, left tarsus, then right tibia, right tarsus.  Make certain that what is recorded matches your observations in the field. Have a partner repeat the code to you as you study the bird in the scope. During migratory periods, observations may be limited to a single, brief occasion; consequently, be extra attentive in these seasons.  Always remember to write down exactly what you saw, do not guess, and indicate uncertainty in observations in the comments section of the datasheet. 

Finally, plovers are living, moving animals. Though often predictable, they will occasionally change behavior, requiring observers to be attentive and curious. Birds can disappear for periods and mysteriously reappear at favored haunts. It’s our challenge to search for, locate and identify new sites or unfamiliar habitats and occasionally find new birds in a population.   

Additional issues to include:

Piping plovers are a threatened and endangered species; all care should be taken to minimize your disturbance of these birds.

Consider tides in setting survey times: at certain locations, surveys may be easier at high tide, when birds are roosting and concentrated. However, at other locations, it may be easier to do a survey at low to mid tide, when birds are feeding and the bands are easier to see.

At certain bay locations in TX, the unusual tide timing can result in certain flats being exposed at certain times of the winter for long periods, so birds could be out in those spots at those times.

Consider disturbance: at certain spots, it may be preferable to search early or late in the day, when many people are not on the beach.

If possible, band observations should be promptly reported, as the details are still fresh in the mind of the observer, so any ambiguities can be resolved.

Certain band colors are easily mistaken for others even by experienced observers.  Please look over the information on the Protocols document provided on this website.

Expect numbers at sites to vary by season, particularly during the migration period.

Many of the banders place bands “above the knee.”  These bands are more difficult to see and require patience to confirm their presence and to determine colors if they are present.  Again, look over the protocols document, it will help you determine which positions and colors are possible when looking at the birds.  It is a good idea to bring this document with you as you head out into the field to survey and resight.

Piping plovers are often heard before they are seen.  Listen for the distinctive “Peep-lo” call when scanning for piping plovers.

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