Implementation of the Alberta piping plover recovery plan, 2005-2010 : final program report /

Alberta piping plover recovery plan 2010-2020 /

“…In 2002, the Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Plan, 2002Plan, -2004 (Alberta Piping Implementation of recovery actions outlined in these plans has helped to reduce human impacts on plover habitat and has allowed productivity goals outlined in the plan to be met or exceeded (Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Team 2005, Prescott et al 2010. The current plan, which will guide recovery efforts through 2020, represents a continuation and refinement of recovery and conservation efforts for piping plovers in Alberta.…”

“…Birds breeding on the Atlantic coast tend to winter in coastal areas of the southeastern United States (Virginia to Florida), whereas the two inland-breeding populations generally winter from Florida to northern Mexico (Elliott-Smith and Haig 2004). Band returns indicate that most Alberta birds winter near the Texas/Mexico border, with individuals occurring as far east as the Atlantic coast of Florida and Georgia (Prescott et al 2010). The continental population is approximately 8000 individuals, with about 30% of these breeding in Canada (Haig et al 2005, Haig andPlissner 1993, Elliott-Smith et al 2009).…”

“…Clutches usually contain four eggs (Whyte 1985, Elliott-Smith and Haig 2004). The latest clutch initiation for Alberta is recorded as 6 to 10 July (Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division 1991), but few nests are initiated after mid-June (Prescott et al 2010). Incubation of eggs is shared by both sexes and lasts 26 to 28 days (Elliott-Smith and Haig 2004).…”

“…Reproductive success of piping plovers is highly variable among lakes and across years (Goossen 1994, Harris et al 2005, Prescott et al 2010. Females are capable of breeding at one year of age and will re -nest if the eggs are destroyed early in the season, but have only been known to produce one brood per year (Haig andOring 1988a, Bottitta et al 1997).…”

“…Estimates of fledging success in Alberta calculated between 1994 and 2009 range from 0.12 to 2.02 young/pair (Figure 1). Increased fledging success in recent years is largely due to efforts to reduce predation on nests (predator exclosures) and to habitat stewardship by landholders and other stakeholders (Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Team 2005, Prescott et al 2010. Various models have estimated that minimum productivity levels of between 1.13-1.7 young/pair are required to maintain stable populations on the Great Plains (Ryan et al 1993, Plissner andHaig 2000).…”