Viamigo

At one time, Prince Edward Island was the summer home of hundreds of Piping Plovers. They return each spring from their wintering grounds in the southern United States and Caribbean to breed and care for their chicks. But over the years, the plovers have seen their habitat disturbed and destroyed by seasonal storms, spring tides and the gradual impact of global warming. But even more destructive has been human use of sensitive beach areas. Today, the Piping Plover is an endangered species with barely 100 found on Island beaches each summer Through the work of Parks Canada in conjunction with the Canadian Wildlife Service and Island Nature Trust, the Piping Plover is beng protected and given a chance to restore its numbers. And by becoming part of a Piping Plover Patrol you can play a role in saving these marvellous little birds by learning more about them and their plight. Every day, Linda Thomas works to save the piping plovers in the Prince Edward Island National Park. As Parks Canada's Piping Plover specialist, starting around mid-April she monitors nesting areas, checking to make sure the birds are safe and collecting information that will be used in the ongoing recovery effort. Then you'll head out on patrol with Linda. Where you go will depend on the day, the weather and recent sightings... . but a typical route may include a stop at Covehead Bridge where you'll help set up a scope for observing Piping Plovers and other shorebirds like Arctic Terns. Here, Linda will tell you about some of her favourite plover moments... the five egg nest, flooded eggs hatching and the story of a pair of birds returning to the same site four years in a row. Then it may be off to Robinson's Island as Linda checks one of the nesting areas. It's closed to the public so you won't be able to go past the warning signs but with Linda's expertise and binoculars, you may be able to see a nesting plover. The Piping Plover Patrol is available Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from May through to mid-August and lasts approximately two hours.