Piping Plover, Larimer County

[marimammoser]

The Piping Plover previously reported at Boyd Lake State Park continues.

as of 12:00 noon today. Dan Stringer, Rachel Hopper and I relocated the

Plover on the large expanse of exposed shore just north of the northern-most

parking area. It was seen just over the high point of the exposed shore

towards the main lake in the standing dried reeds and green grass.

Joe Mammoser

Fort Collins

Larimer County

[Nicholas Komar]

Given the relative scarcity of Piping Plover (its formal status in this region is "Threatened"), it is remarkable that three have been reported on this listserve alone away from traditional eastern Colorado breeding sites (in Larimer, Weld and Lincoln counties) in recents days. They are early migrants so these are either migration stragglers or breeders that failed at their initial attempt to nest elsewhere within their normal range. 

I was particularly intrigued by the behavior of the male Plover in Larimer (Boyd Lake SP) this morning. Unlike the other migratory plovers (several Semipalmated and Black-bellied), which were feeding in the food -rich mudflats at the extreme north end of the lake, this bird was hanging out with presumably local breeders - Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers- on the sandy now-exposed island that I call the "outer banks". It behaved like a breeder also, staying loyal to a small area about an acre in size, vocalizing constantly (4 distinct vocalizations including songs, which were new to my ears!), chasing other birds (killdeer), embarking on noisy, short nuptial flights (like Eurasian Collared-Doves do), and even testing out nesting sites (sitting in depressions). 

With the current influx of extralimital migrants, maybe there is a small chance that another vagrant Piping Plover female might find him and be sufficiently impressed to initiate breeding. Unfortunately such a union would be doomed by rising waters (although Herculean efforts could potentially save the nest from flooding). For long-time readers of this forum, I am referring to Nelsonian efforts, if you get my drift. 

Anyway it would be fun to observe Larimer's first Piping Plover breeding attempt, and interesting to attempt to rescue any nests from rising waters as Duane Nelson has done for past generations of Colorado Piping Plovers. And even if a female doesn't magically appear, observing the male's nuptial behaviors is a rare and awesome experience. 

Lastly, although this bird seems unafraid of people, please remember to give it plenty of space. I'm unsure of what legal ramifications it's Threatened status carries, if any. Perhaps Duane or Scott Somershoe could comment. 

I will end this rant with a photo from this morning. 

Good birding,

Nick Komar

Fort Collins CO

Sent from my iPhone

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