Forwarded by request:

 

From: Peter Doherty [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
To: 
Subject: Bahamas Piping Plovers on the Move
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:19:57 -0400

Greetings, Maryland Birders. 

There has been a flurry of recent activity involving The Bahamas plovers.
Birds are beginning to move from their breeding grounds and to stage in RI,
MA and NY.  
 
Here is some current information on the Environment Canada-funded study
managed by Dr. Cheri Gratto-Trevor: An individual, marked on Andros Island,
The Bahamas in February and confirmed nesting near Watch Hill, RI in April
and May, was seen on Portsmouth Island, Ocracoke Inlet flats, NC on July
13th by NPS staff from Cape Lookout National Seashore. The individual,
together with her mate, fledged four chicks in RI.

Reports of other recent sightings of Bahamas plovers, including pictures and
color band information are here: 
 <http://www.birdingdude.blogspot.com/> http://www.birdingdude.blogspot.com
and here
 
<http://dendroica.blogspot.com/2010/07/color-marked-plovers-moving-south.htm
l>
http://dendroica.blogspot.com/2010/07/color-marked-plovers-moving-south.html
 
The project, of course, depends upon birders to find the marked birds. To
date, forty of the 57 marked Bahamas plovers have been seen on the Atlantic
coast of North America since they left The Bahamas last spring - a
remarkable re-sight percentage. Each sighting, initial or repeat, is
important to the study. If you see a Piping Plover with a black flag/tab on
its upper left leg, the individual is a Bahamas plover. Report the full band
combination, if possible, of all sightings to:
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>  

In the past few days groups of more than 25 pipers, some approaching 50,
have been sighted in RI, MA and NY.
 
My advice: It usually takes a scope to find a marked bird and to be certain
of the colors. You cannot find a Bahamas plover unless you look closely at
each plover you see! 
 
Good shorebirding.

Peter Doherty
leastter at hotmail.com <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
Virginia Beach, VA 23451