Day 98: April 8th –Plovers!

Sunny, mild 71 degrees, brisk east wind

       Ventured back out to Smyrna Dunes Park in search of any possible plovers I might have on the beach today.  I have not had a single Wilson’s or Piping plover this year.  They used to be regulars at Smyrna Dunes…that was until they began to allow dogs on the beach.  Once that regulation came into being, the plovers all moved out into the channel and onto a sand bar known as “Disappearing Island”.  Well, today Disappearing Island disappeared!  Spring tides caused by the almost full phase of the moon and strong east winds drove the water up onto the beach at higher than normal levels, and the plovers now have to come over to their old foraging grounds until their new home peaks back up above the water.

Wilson's plover

       All this was by sheer happenstance, for when I headed over to the park, I had no idea that all these elements would come into play.  As a result, when I walked the boardwalk out to the jetty, I was thrilled to see that the beach was literally covered with plovers…..Semi-palmated, Wilson’s, and Piping plovers!

Piping plover

       It was interesting just to study the various stages of molt as some were still in their winter colors, some were intermediate, and others had already reached their full summer breeding plumage.  

Semi-palmated plover

       Eventually, as luck would have it, along came some beach-goers with their dogs….very large dogs, I might add.  The plovers all took flight.  But as if they were consciously aware of the way the new dog law reads, they flew south just beyond the point where the dogs are NOT allowed.  Great looks under great photographic light conditions.  An early Easter present!

Wilson's (front) with Semi-palmated plover