The Important Four Red Knot Piping Plover Wilsons Plover Least - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Important Four

Red Knot Piping Plover Least Tern Wilson’s Plover

North Beach Critical Habitat

North Beach Critical Habitat Created as condition for approval of inlet relocation

• n the Kiawah River in 2015

Per Biological Opinion by USFWS – Melissa Chaplin – assessed impact of relocation Piping Plovers & Loggerhead Turtles Required Critical Habitat on North Beach to protect Piping Plover w/no dogs allowed Also recommended that Seabrook protect Red Knot Led to SIPOA contract with SCDNR - North Beach Piping Plover surveys, nesting signs, Red Knot research Red Zone with no dogs allowed established by Town

• f Seabrook Nov 2019 as part
• f new beach rules for pets

Critical Habitat

Red Knot Seabrook Island

Red Knot

Red Knots In the late winter and early spring, a federally threatened population

• f Red Knots visit Seabrook Island in large numbers. Our beach is an important

staging area (place where they not only rest, but where they can feed heavily putting on precious fat) for the Red Knots. How do I identify Red Knots? Early in the season, Red Knots are a plain gray non-descript, mid-sized shorebird. As the season progresses their brick red breeding feathers slowly emerges. These birds prefer being with a group of their

• wn kind. Rarely does one find less than 20 birds together. Often, they appear

in the hundreds or even thousands. Where are Red Knots from? They breed in the high arctic along the coast of the islands between Greenland and Canada. Red Knot population has plummeted since the 1980’s (down 70%). Many of these birds fly between the northern breeding islands to spend our winter in Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of South America—a trip that is 8 to 10 thousand miles one way! A stop at Seabrook Island needs to be more than a brief rest. It must be a time when knots can feed heavily as there is little other opportunity to fuel up before they head north! To make the journey, a Red Knot needs to add 40% of its body weight in just a couple weeks of heavy feeding! Each time they are flushed by someone walking the beach, they use up precious energy and miss out on an

• pportunity to feed.

Scientific studies assure us of the importance of our beaches to the survival of this species. A bird fitted with a gps unit was documented traveling directly from Seabrook Island to the Hudson Bay in Canada in a non-stop flight! This same bird spent part of our winter in Tierra del Fuego at the southern-most tip of South

• America. It made just a few stops before finding the beach of Seabrook Island.

Here it had ample food and was able to spend enough time bulking up to make this remarkable migration possible.

All photos taken on Seabrook by Ed Konrad Population declined 70% in last 20 years One of longest migrations - 18,000 miles round trip

• tip of SA/Patagonia to Arctic to breed

A banded knot observed for 13 years flew 242,000 miles – farther than from earth to moon SC important place for knots - of 187 miles coast

• nly small # of beaches where knots “stage”

Seabrook/Kiawah Island/ Deveaux Bank important area for knot “staging” - average of 84 days to rest and feed - have flown 5000 miles when arrive We have one of largest single flocks in Eastern US, 4000-8000 at peak – per SCDNR Will be brownish grey at arrival, turn beautiful reddish breeding color in April Feed along shore like “sewing machines” on coquina clams here, horseshoe crab eggs at Deveaux Bank Fat built up from knots time here may be what helps to get to Arctic & breed successfully Seabrook Important for SCDNR research, nanotag data show portion of flock fly direct to Arctic

Piping Plover Seabrook Island

Piping Plover

Piping Plover From late July to the next spring Piping Plovers spend time on our beach. We usually see 4-8 at one time, and over 20 in April as they migrate north. Some of these highly studied birds carry colored leg bands that scientists can use to identify the individual, where it was banded, when it was banded, and how old it was. How do I identify Piping Plovers? Piping Plovers are small, pale (the color of dry sand) birds with short stubby bills and a black partial ring around their neck. They are frequently seen alone, in small groups, and/or with their darker cousin the Semipalmated Plover (the color of mud). They’ll have a dark “little scarf” in the spring - their breeding colors. The

• ther pale bird of the beach, the more common Sanderlings, like to run in and out of the

waves in small to large flocks. They have longer black bills. Where are Piping Plovers from? There are three main populations. One comes from the Great Lakes breeding region—predominantly in Michigan. This population is Federally Endangered and consists of only 71 breeding pairs. On North Beach, we spot and photograph banded plovers, and report them to the researchers in the breeding grounds. They like to know that their plovers are safe during their 9 months in wintering grounds. Examples of feedback we get the researchers: “She wasn't banded as a chick, so we don't know when/where she hatched. She began breeding in 2018 at Grand Marais, MI. In 2019 the crew banded 3 of her chicks. I don't know how many of them fledged.” Another example: “This is the chick we named “Little V” from our Point Betsie nest. It's the only one that fledged. i.e. survived, from this new 2019 Lake Michigan nesting area.” These sightings provide proof of the importance of Seabrook Island as a wintering site for plovers to be safe, rest, and feed so they are strong to fly north in the spring to breed. The other populations, although not as severely stressed, are still Federally Threatened. The breeding region along the coasts of northeast US and Canada, is called the Atlantic

• region. The third breeding region is called Great Plains, and their Piping Plovers winter on

Texas coasts, and are not often seen on Seabrook.

Great Lakes Region (orange flag) Federally Endangered, only 71 breeding pairs, once 800 Atlantic Region US & Canada (green or black flag) Federally Threatened, 2000 pairs Populations drastically declined –people, dogs, predators, development, weather Eat marine worms, fly larvae, beetles, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, other small invertebrates Breed from April to July in Great Lakes, Atlantic, Great Plains regions Migrate to SE & TX coasts late July - “winter” to next spring: our responsibility to protect 9 months Jul-Apr We’re important wintering site, provide quality foraging & roosting habitat to survive & return 1000 to 1500 miles north to breed Protecting Piping Plovers - a condition of the inlet relocation on Kiawah River & impacts future relocations All photos taken on Seabrook by Ed Konrad

Piping Plover personal stories

Vicki…”2K banded at Prince Edward Island,

• Canada. He had 3 nest attempts in 2019 with the

same mate as 2018. On 3rd attempt, they laid 3 eggs & fledged all chicks.” These two PIPLs wintered at Seabrook for past 2 years – they were spotted on North Beach on same day in 2019 & 2018! Alice…“She began breeding in 2018 at Grand Marais, MI, banded at that time. In 2019 the crew banded 3 of her

• chicks. I don't know how many of them fledged.”

Alice…“You've proved it! This is the chick we named “Little V” from Point Betsie nest. The

• nly one that fledged, i.e. survived, from this

new 2019 Lake MI nesting area.”

Alice Van Zoeren Great Lakes Piping Plover Conservation Team Sleeping Bear Dunes NL, MI Vicki Johnson PIPL Coordinator Island Nature Trust, PEI, Canada Breeding Region Biologists

Endangered Endangered Threatened

Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover – breeding grounds

Michigan

• Sleeping Bear Dunes

National Seashore

• Whitefish Point - UP

71 breeding pairs remain

Least Tern Seabrook Island

Least Tern

Least Tern Least Terns start to arrive on Seabrook Island in late-March and stay through the summer months. These birds use dunes all along the eastern shore of North American, including Seabrook Island, as a breeding

• zone. While this species is not considered federally endangered, they are SC
• Threatened. Think about how much of their potential breeding area had been

converted into seashore homes or is overrun with beach goers. The protected beach area of Seabrook Island is one of several key areas in South Carolina. How to I identify Least Terns? Terns are generally the bright white birds you see dropping into the water for fish. There are four Tern species you may

• encounter. The Least Tern lives up to its name being by far the smallest. Least

Terns are about the same size or slightly smaller than a robin at 8 to 10

• inches. The next smallest tern on Seabrook Island is the Forster’s tern at 15

inches (at least 40% larger). The Least Terns are often seen carrying small fish back to their mates or the young birds on nest. They are also very vocal, so listen for the small, noisy tern dashing back and forth from beach to dunes. A close look will show the white forehead and yellow bill of the adult birds. Where are the Least Terns from? Least Terns, like many people, spend their summers on Seabrook Island. While here they will court, mate, and, hopefully, raise their young. The habitat Least Terns prefer for breeding is the back dunes. This makes them especially susceptible to people wandering around behind the dunes and also to king tides or storms that could flood the nests and destroy an entire breeding population, something that happened in 2019 here on Seabrook Island. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has roped off a relatively small area on Seabrook Island’s North Beach to provide a safe place for these birds. Please respect the signs! All photos taken on Seabrook by Ed Konrad except Least Tern chick SC Threatened , less than 700 nesting pairs, declined 30% since 1980s Majority in SC nest on pebble rooftops, beach nests threatened - Seabrook important! Nest in SC DNR North Beach protected area, but not limited to on

• ur beach

North Beach: 53 nests in 2018, severe rainstorm destroyed 2019 nests Fish exchange “courting” behavior a sight to behold! Agile flyer, buzz your head if get too close to courting & nesting area Nests are shallow scrapes in sand Incubation in 20-25 days, eggs can cook in few minutes

Wilson’s Plover Seabrook Island

Wilson’s Plover

Wilson’s Plover Unlike the Piping Plover, the Wilson’s Plover is

• ur summer plover. It needs the beaches and dunes of South

Carolina to raise their family. They usually arrive around mid- March and stay through September. How do I identify Wilson’s Plovers? Unlike sandpipers, plovers have shorter & thicker bills. Compared to the smaller plovers, the Wilson’s Plover’s bill is honking big-relatively short, thick, and black. The bird is the brown color of wet sand and has a single dark band across its white chest. Usually, one rarely sees more than a pair hanging around together. They also will stand in a very erect stance unless feeding. Where are the Wilson’s Plovers from? One could say that they are from here. Like all of the shorebirds visiting Seabrook Island, Wilson’s Plovers are migrants, temporary visitors. The difference with Wilsons’ Plover is they spend the breeding season here. While we say that they are “our” birds, Wilson’s Plovers really spend only about five or six months on the beach of Seabrook Island before they move to other areas. But their time here is the critical nesting period. By setting up the safety zone along the dunes of North Beach, these birds have a better chance of raising a new generation. All photos taken on Seabrook by Ed Konrad except Wilson’s Plover chick SC Threatened, 375 nesting pairs in South Carolina Nest in SC DNR North Beach protected area, but not limited to on our beach 3 North Beach nests in 2018 – chicks

• bserved for first time!

Declining population due to loss of habitat, threats during entire life cycle Seen alone or pairs, stand very erect Liking for crabs, also eat insects & marine worms Usually 3 eggs, downy young leave nest soon after hatching Both parents tend young, but chicks feed themselves, flight in 21 days Disturbance can make them abandon nest, eggs cook as a result

“Umbrella Effect”

Share Your Beach, Give Them Space

Why are the birds here? Resting, Relaxing, and Recharging The many birds you see on the beaches of Seabrook Island have stopped for the same reasons you have! Seabrook Island is a place to rest, relax, and recover from the worries of the world. What are the birds doing? Surviving To many of the birds, Seabrook Island is even more! It is the best restaurant in the area. It is a place where they can fill their bellies and pack on critical layers of fat needed to make to journey to their nesting ground or to raise their young. What can I do? Give them space Beach rules help visitors understand their relationship with the birds, turtles and dolphins that share the beach. All of the rules can be boiled down one simple rule—give the animals space. Let them feed undisturbed by making a slight detour around their restaurant. Do I make a difference? Absolutely On a wild beach, the birds are normally spooked by a predator several times a day. People walking the beach disturb the birds dozens to hundreds of times a day. Each disturbance interrupts the important task of conserving survival energy. Your making a slight detour improves their chance for survival. How do I know what to do? The birds will tell you! First, they stop and look at

• you. You should start your detour. Get closer and they start to move about;

uncomfortable with your closeness. You still can alter your path to avoid the

• flock. Finally, they will fly. You have gotten too close! The damage has been

done!

Key Contacts Nancy Brown: Seabrook Island Birders (843) 603-0444 Mark Andrews: Seabrook Island Birders (910) 690-7476 Nolan Schillerstrom: SC Audubon (630) 290-1350 Seabrook Island Beach Patrol: (843) 718-6083 Town of Seabrook Code Enforcement: (843) 768-9121 Seabrook Island Security: (843) 768-6641 (for emergency or rescue) &/or Emergency: 911 Remember! Your job is to educate & inspire!

• Start with 2 positives - will frame the mood
• Listen for response & interest
• Show sincere enjoyment/interest of the birds
• Let people see the birds (scope/binoculars)
• Four of our shorebirds are protected by Federal &

SC, populations declining for almost all

• Beach birds are sensitive to disturbance (don’t

flush nesting or migrating birds)

• Flushing birds is like pulling the fire alarm in a food

court

• Nests/chicks are hard to see
• Ask beach goers to please share in the

responsibility to protect these birds

Contacts & Stewards’ Info