Shorebird of the Year 2016: Piping Plover
The ‘Shorebird of the Year’ poll has never been so exciting than this year. Hooded Plover has been leading for months but voters made a difference in the last 10 days and pushed Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) to the top of the list by over 100 votes. Piping Plover has now joined to a precious group of shorebirds, including Red Knot, the 2015 and Spoon-billed Sandpiper, the 2014 ‘Shorebird of the Year’.
Piping Plover is a charismatic shorebird of the North American shores. Image legally embedded from B. N. Singh Flickr portfolio.
Piping Plover is a globally threatened shorebird which both breeding and wintering range is restricted to North America. After serious population decline in the 19th century, it slowly recovered in the 20th century. In the last few decades it all went wrong again as a result of extreme pressure of coastal development and other anthropogenic effects. Piping Plover chicks survival rate is still very low due to human disturbance and predation.
World Shorebirds Day will celebrate Piping Plover throughout the year with a little bit different approach than it was for earlier ‘SOTY’. A dedicated page will be published FOR postING updates, interviews and other interesting stuff.
Now it is your turn to share your experiences and stories with Piping Plovers. Should it be a story of observation, a Piping Plover artwork or beautiful photos, please send us to shorebirdsday@gmail.com.
Is there any sweeter thing than a fluffy Piping Plover chick? Image legally embedded from B. N. Singh Flickr portfolio.