Michael and all,

A very interesting article, written by a person whose name I heard for the first time yesterday in conversation with the plover census takers.  What I was told yesterday supports what is mentioned in the article:  that the MD Piping Plover population is declining (from 60 nesting pairs at its peak to 43 pairs this year).  What I didn't realize is that this is from totally natural causes, as successional growth reshapes North Assateague.  It looks like it may take another good storm to re-create more habitat that is attractive to the plovers.

Stan Arnold
Ferndale (AA Co.)




-----Original Message-----
>From: MICHAEL SPEICHER <>
>Sent: Jun 25, 2009 12:46 PM
>To: 
>Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Assateague Beach
>
>Just to attempt to bring the subject back around to birds and birding, here's a report on MD piping plover recovery efforts thru 2003...
>
>
>http://www.dnr.state.md.us/coastalbays/publications/Chapter8.8.pdf
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>