Calling this year’s fledgling number a vast improvement over just three fledglings in 2008, wildlife biologist Matthew Bailey also noted that as in recent years, Cape Henlopen remained the only place the plovers nested in Delaware this year.

Bailey added he hopes next year will be even better. “There is plenty of good habitat at Cape Henlopen State Park that could support more pairs of nesting plovers as the years progress. There are also other sites that have suitable habitat for plover nesting. These sites will continue to be monitored. Also, in 2009, productivity for the plovers was fairly good, although an increase in numbers of chicks fledged is a reasonably attainable goal for future seasons,” Bailey said.

In other season-ending beachnester news, least terns had another tough year breeding in Delaware. More than five years have passed since the shorebirds have been observed to have fledged chicks in Delaware. This season brought four small colonies of least terns to Delaware, two at Cape Henlopen, one at South Bowers Beach and one at Fowlers Beach. All told, just under 20 pairs of least terns nested in Delaware this year. A combination of frequent floods associated with tidal surges and predation caused the failures of these colonies.

American oystercatchers nested on shores of the Delaware Bay and Inland Bays and at Cape Henlopen on the Atlantic coast. Due to the remote nature of the nesting sites on the Delaware Bay and Inland Bays, attaining solid data on nest success was not possible with the staffing currently available, although oystercatcher chicks were observed on Middle Island, located just west of the Indian River Inlet.

Two oystercatcher pairs nesting at Cape Henlopen were closely monitored while staff was in the process of monitoring piping plovers. One pair lost its nest to overwash at Gordons Pond.

The second pair hatched their two chicks out on the tip of the point. The chicks were observed for about 10 days and then disappeared.

Their fate is unknown, but they are not believed to have reached fledge age.

Seabeach amaranth, listed federally as endangered, grows in the same kinds of habitat in which plovers nest - sparsely vegetated dune slopes and overwashes.

About 40 amaranth plants were found at Cape Henlopen this year. Unfortunately, frequent tidal surges, including powerful waves courtesy of Hurricane Bill, washed out all but two of the plants. However, some of the plants that were washed out were able to set seed before being lost, Bailey noted.

Despite thorough searches at all of the coastal state parks and at possible sites on the Delaware Bay, no amaranth was found outside of the boundaries of Cape Henlopen State Park this year. Typically, the stretch of beach between Tower Road and Key Box Road at Delaware Seashore State Park hosts amaranth. Although no amaranth was found there this season, seeds can persist in the sand for many years.

For more information, contact Bailey at 302-382-4151, or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us