Volunteer to Be a Plover Guardian
To improve Piping Plover breeding success, people must be willing to share beaches with these birds. This might require completely
fencing off designated nesting areas and placing predator enclosures over nests to protect the eggs. During the breeding season if
you are near one of the province's plover beaches, the most important way that the public can help is to volunteer as a Plover Guardian.
being a guardian includes: |
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participating in an orientation and information session
participating in field searches of traditional Piping Plover nesting areas
assisting in the placement of enclosure fencing and signs when required
spending times at the nest-sites informing the public about Piping Plovers
ensuring that the birds are undisturbed, especially during the nesting season
monitoring and recording information on the behaviour of nesting birds
reporting findings and problems to the Piping Plover Guardian Program Co-ordinator
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If You Can't Volunteer: |
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Don't ride/drive all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on beaches where Piping Plovers are known to during the breeding season (March through
July). Because ATVs move fast and plovers are masters of camoflauge there is no way to see a plover nesting or otherwise. ATVs are
also exceeding disturbing for plovers and can cause birds to abandon valuable nesting beaches.
Dont allow dogs to run off-leash on beaches where Piping Plovers are known to nest. The dogs aren't really a threat to the plovers
themselves rather they chase things that move and nests and chicks are easily destroyed underfoot and adults can be disturbed so badly
that they do not renest if their nest is lost.
Don't approach Piping Plovers or Piping Plover nests during the breeding season. They are small and both the birds, their chicks,
eggs and nests are virtually invisible to all but experienced field personnel. As a result chicks, eggs and nests are very easily
destroyed. If the nest site is protected by fences or caging, do not enter the protected areas and do not disturb the plovers
through action or noise. If the plovers are nesting and are not protected, contact the Manitoba Piping
Plover Guardian Program immediately with specific information on the plovers' location so that protection can be arranged.
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