By Michelle Pelletier Marshall
Correspondent
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PLUM ISLAND — The last of the season's piping plover chicks at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge have gotten their wings and flown the coop — or beach in this case — resulting in the reopening of all but two of the property's seven lots.
Lots 2 and 3 will remain closed for a couple more weeks to provide a buffer for the few birds that may still be around the beach area, said Matt Poole, the refuge's visitor services manager.
Poole said it was a great year for the federally protected plovers. The refuge this summer hosted 19 breeding pairs of plovers, producing 34 chicks that successfully fledged, which is an increase over the past two seasons.
Last year, 13 breeding pairs made their home on the refuge, producing 31 chicks, while in 2009 there were 15 breeding pairs that produced only 12 chicks that successfully fledged.
"Our success this year was the second-highest total of breeding pairs and fledglings since 1995," when the refuge boasted 21 breeding pairs that produced 44 fledglings, refuge biologist Nancy Pau said.
Every year beginning April 1, the entire refuge beach except for a small area at the end of lot 1 is closed to ensure the safest nesting area for the threatened population of piping plovers along the Atlantic Coast. The birds have made their way to the refuge for the last 20 years to reproduce.
Unless the plovers are allowed to multiply safely, they may find themselves on the endangered list, an outcome the refuge management team hopes to avoid through its annual beach closures.
The plovers still face predators — such as crows, gulls, coyotes, raccoons and skunks — and still have to contend with the sometimes swift New England weather changes. But with the beaches closed, the threats of foot traffic and pets impeding with the chicks' ability to survive are negated, officials said.
"One of our greatest challenges is articulating to visitors why the closures are necessary," Poole said. "This is a wonderful barrier beach island that sees its share of visitors, but we have to explain that the over-arching mission in the management area is protecting wildlife, particularly with the federally protected plovers."
The 11 permanent, year-round staffers at the refuge slowly begin opening lots in mid-July to early August, depending on the reports from the biologists who travel the 61/2 miles of the beach daily to monitor the status of the plovers.
"We are right on track in terms of timing with how many birds have fledged," Poole said.
Lots 1, 6 and 7, which allow for beach access, are now open, as are lot 4 with access to Hellcat trail and lot 5 with access to an observation area.
Refuge visitors are advised to call the refuge at 978-465-5753 before visiting to check the status of open lots on the beach. Information also is available at the gatehouse at the refuge entrance.
"The big news for us is that the plovers had a pretty good year, indicating that refuge management is having a positive impact on breeding for this threatened bird population," Poole said. "The numbers speak for themselves."
