Greetings from the road everyone! Brad and Jan are still on assignment and Linda and I are sweating it out here in Kansas. I thought the CMAR race day was hot, but this is something else (link here). After a weeks of high 60F’s to mid 70Fs at home, we find ourselves in a heat index upwards of 107F. Definitely a good time to be on the short break from training. Even managed to stop by a couple of birding locations this morning and added two more species for the annual count bring the Average Year’s total to 298 (link here, not updated yet). A mere 2 short of the annual goal – a good thing as the birding has been weak in this latter half of the year. Are other birders noticing this downturn? There was a theory that our Cicada eruption pushed the migrators further north, but that has passed now and still little piping up to be heard.
Will be interesting to see how this plays out, but for now, let’s turn are attention to a feathered friend with plenty of piping.
Hit the jump to read more about our encounter with this diminutive bird heralding from North Dakota.
Oddly enough, I can’t remember the last time I was in North Dakota – it hasn’t been since I was a kid and Linda has never been there. Fortunately for us, the Piping Plover is also a Texan Snowbird. This species has a rather narrow breeding range that spans a vertical from Nebraska up into Canada in addition to a thin upper east coastal presence. There are a few isolated areas around the Great Lakes including one of our frequent birding spots Montrose Point in Chicago. You may remember the previous post on the celebrity couple Monty and Rose (link here).
I am not sure where Monty wintered, but Rose was found hanging out on Bolivar Flats in Texas. Interesting note, the pair would arrive back on the Chicago beach within a day of each other. Imagine pulling that off without a cell phone! Every winter since her Chicago arrival, I scanned the Bolivar Flats sand looking for her tell-tale markings. Zero luck with that. Monty has since passed and Rose has not been seen the last couple of years – can’t remember, but she may have passed as well. Their average life span is 5 to 6 years. With great joy, I am pleased to relay that their son Imani did return to Montrose, mated with another Great Lakes reared Plover and successfully fledged one of their 4 chicks. Time will tell if Montrose is imprinted on the two love birds and their new offspring enough to return next year.
Back to our Piping Plover specimen you are looking at here. This one was spotted on our visit to the South Padre Island Convention Center Flats back in January 2023. I have had mixed results with the smaller Plovers at this location. The tide always plays a role, of course, but even taking that into account, it is either feast or famine on these little dudes and dudettes. Part of the problem is having to pick them out among all the larger inhabitants – large Black Skimmer flocks (link here), Brown Pelicans, and a variety of Gulls and Peeps are prevalent across the sands. Finding a little Plover playing Frogger amongst all those legs can be a test of wills.
Definitely lucked out in early 2023 and spotted this Piping in its nonbreeding plumage. You probably noticed this one was sporting travel tags. Piping Plovers are on the conservation endangered watch list. According to Cornell, there are only 8400 breeding individuals globally. They state “In the Great Lakes region, they are listed as federally endangered and along the Atlantic Coast and Great Plains they are listed as federally threatened. They are on the Red Watch List for species that have restricted distributions and small, declining populations“. That is quite disheartening as these birds are incredibly cute and brings a hearty smile whenever we encounter them. As is typical with species on the endangered lists, they are a heavily banded lot. To be honest, I find it surprising when I get a photograph of one that doesn’t have a band (usually their banding process consists of multiple bands of varying colors). This specimen had a single color band with the 48F printed on it along with a silver federal band.
This is the first time I have seen such a large colored band on them. Typically, it is just a colored band without lettering. Maybe this is the tradeoff vs having multiple bands on each leg. Federal bands are much harder to read as the numbers go around the entire band. Better read with it in hand as getting all the required angles in pictures is rather difficult. The bird banding submission process typically only needs the color tagging to identify it.
And identify it did! Submitted the 48F tag to the US Bird Banding site and they returned the following verification. Originally tagged in North Dakota as a chick back in June 2017. That puts it just under 6 years old.
Unable to determine the sex as Piping Plover nonbreeding adults look the same. During the breeding cycle, the males will develop a black crown, solid black neck band and the base of their bills will take on an orange hue. Have to say, even cuter than in their winter clothing.
Out in the field, I am always scanning for those short blunted bills that give the Plovers away. Once spotted the ID immediately shifts to the legs. Those bright orange legs are the quickest way to get to the Piping designation.
IDing them can be relatively easy, getting them in the tin is not. These little guys and gals are movers. Much like the larger Sanderlings (link here), the Piping Plovers are spastic on the sand. In the nonbreeding season it is just a matter of “there’s a Squirrel” hunting methodology. Don’t bother trying to predict where they’ll end up for the perfect shot, the likelihood it ends up anywhere in the direction it is currently sprinting is slightly higher than Raygun’s score during the recent Olympic Breakdancing event. During the breeding season it is a combination of feeding and defending that causes their erratic behavior. They are ferocious defenders of their territory. Step a foot on their turf and prepare for all out war. Must be a form of stature compensation. Like our little Poodles, they are fearless in the face of larger adversaries. This played out while Ron and I were watching Monty guarding their chicks on the Chicago dunes. Killdeer, Gulls, Pipers.. it didn’t matter, if Monty spotted them even looking at him or his offspring he’d attack culminating in pecking or biting should the intruder fail to “Respect his authoritaaay” (link here).
I have to admit, it wasn’t until I recently looked it up for this post that I learned the true reason the Piping Plovers are thus named. In the past I assumed it was the black “piping” around their neck during the breeding season. “Sorry, that is incorrect” (read in your best game show host voice). According to the Internet search, the Piping is in reference to their “bell-like whistled peeps” they use as a means of communication. Unable to validate that as I have never heard a single peep out of them.
Although Piping Plovers are able to blend into their environment quite easily thanks to their sand matched feather coloring, they sure don’t do themselves any favors with their nesting behavior. No elaborate condo for their young. The male will choose an area and proceed to scratch out depressions in the sand in the 4″ by .5″ deep range. A multi-day process is then initiated to select the best “scrape” to use as their official nest. They will proceed to adorn it with pebbles and such in order to appease any in-laws that might stop by for a visit. On average they will have 4 eggs each laid on successive days. 28 days later and out pops melt your heart featherballs with adult sized legs.
Actually, getting one of those Plover chicks in the tin is in my top 10 hunt list, but there are plenty of images on the web if you want see what they look like. If you do come upon one, keep your distance unless you want to have a long, uncomfortable talk with the DNR…that is if you survive the onslaught from a pissed off parent.
Thought I would leave you with a quick size reference. If you happen to be familiar with the size of its more accessible brother the Black-Bellied Plover, this shot will show you how much smaller the Piping variety is (and the Black is standing a ways behind the Piping).
Will put a Plover bow on it there. Need to get some shuteye before we start the long trek home. Let’s hope these hot Kansas temps don’t follow us back.
Wildlife Intrigued 
Got to love a Plover. The ones we get tend to be more stop/start feeding action so easier to photograph.
Ron was watching a vicious, attack anything adult and walked away unharmed? Interesting.
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Hahahahah, color me surprised for sure. I try to keep at least 10 feet away at all times so I don’t get caught in the melee. Some day we should have a post where we focus on all the wildlife that has attacked him – preferably with action shots. Appreciate you dropping by and like my other outstanding requests, feel free to send me some of your Plovers!!
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Cute piper. We have relatives in Kansas. I’ve been there in that kind of heat. So oppressive.
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I couldn’t believe how hot it was there – somewhat relative as the last couple of weeks here have been in the 70s and then I get out there and the heat index goes to 107. Internal thermostat is already damaged from the race and trust me, that was doing me zero favors. Made it back home Sunday night – been waking up to low 60s temps in the morning making for some absolutely pleasant training runs. Tell you relatives to turn the oven down.
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Too hot. Our morning temps have been in the low 60s and high 50s—daytime temps in the 90s.
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We are going to start warming up a bit now. Been getting a lot of training in at night lately to prep for the big race coming up – I find I have to condition for night running as the light can sometimes give you headaches as the light bounces over the terrain. The good news is the night temps are in the high 50’s to low 60’s making for some nice cool running. The fog that came in tonight halfway through the run was a tad spooky though.
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We used to train at night on our bicycles. Worked all day, rode all night and got little sleep. At least you don’t have to do the daily grind at the office.
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To be young again…although without the day job, too used to retirement now hehehe.
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Sometimes, it would be nice to be young.
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Give me that past energy and couple it with today’s experience – sky’s the limit.
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Excellent shots! The plover with the no-nonsense look is terrific 😊
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Thank you Belinda! These Pipings are a cranky lot for sure and whoa to anything that gets close to them and looks at them will ill intent. Luckily had the big glass on so I could keep out of their pecking and biting zone ha. Appreciate you dropping by and have a great rest of your week!
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Delightful little guys, thanks for keeping the lens on this one as he sprinted around. And I really appreciated your comparison photo of the Piping and the Black-bellied – what a difference!
Went to college in Kansas, of all places, so I can attest to the heat! Get home safe.
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I have been trying to get more relative size comparison shots this year – still struggling to remember to do it, but I think it adds a bit more overall background to the featured bird. Are you by any chance a “Shocker” – if so, hoping you can tell me what the hell their named after. Hoping you are not a “Jayhawk” for personal reasons. As a U of I alumni, we have a sworn hatred for Bill Self and I don’t use that strong word lightly. Mucho disliko. I actually just learned what the Jayhawk represents – wow, was I totally off thinking it had something to do with feathers although the mascot appears to be some cross between a Blue Jay and a Sparrow Hawk. As always, appreciate you dropping by. I am currently in full on Halloween mode at the moment and struggling to keep my head above water. Soo much to do before the event and soooo little time.
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Went to Ottawa U in Ottawa Kansas. They didn’t even have a football team, at the time (verrrry small uni), focusing on soccer. I’m planning to make granddaughter’s Halloween costume again this year – one costume is a drop in the bucket compared to your extravaganza, but I can sympathize with the pressure you feel…and our bloodshot eyes will suit the festivities perfectly!
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Well, even though it was smaller, it is STILL better than KU! Good luck on the Halloween costume – would love to see it once it is done. On the bright side of the haunt efforts, I usually lose a bunch of weight so less to carry through the hills on the 50 mile ultra that is scheduled for the week after the party..and already trained up for sleep depravity ha. I may have to put a mask on to keep from scaring the guests ha.
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I’ve never seen one of those banned. Nice shots!
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Thank you Sharon. With the conservation status of these Plovers I tend to see at least one or two banned in every flock we encounter. I kind of feel sorry for them as they will often have up to 4 or 5 bands on them up and down their legs – makes them look like xmas trees ha. Thanks for dropping in, appreciate it.
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They must not be happy about that many of bands. Must be annoying.
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I has to be uncomfortable, get snatched out of the nest, have the legs all colored up and put back. A bit vexed on the issue, feel bad for the amount, but then I enjoyed learning about the specimens history. Thanks for dropping in Sharon.
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Cute little birds. Not many like that here on assignment. Jan and I have survived encounters with caribou, wolves, bears, moose, eagles, salmon, and more. Details once we are back in civilization.
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So what I am reading here is your tins are full of blog fodder!! Stay safe, and keep a clicking.
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I really enjoyed this series of very nice photographs. Good job on getting the bird’s history. Trying to get a legible photo of those bands is a challenge.
As a certified Plover lover, I still have a pair of pants in the garage covered in mud which has now solidified into a substance resembling cement from laying around the tidal flats waiting for a hungry Plover to scurry into range.
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Glad you like the post Wally! The banding people must hate me as I am always submitting reports 6 to 8 months late as that is how long it takes me to around to processing them…and then hunting through the series to piece the band IDs together..and like you mentioned getting shots that are actually readable. I know the feeling on the plover-clothes. Thanks to a bad outbreak of sand-fleas a few years back in Texas (or whatever those itch fests are called) I have curtailed a lot of my laying in the tidal flats, to the detriment of my knees and ankles trying to squat for that long. Linda’s rule is if they can upright on their own, the clothes aren’t coming into the house..ever ha. As always, appreciate you dropping in. I am majorly behind on my post reading thanks to all the Halloween work that is in process at the moment (getting very little sleep these days), but hopefully I can find the time soon to break away and get caught up on all your adventures.
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Little cuties! They remind me of some I’ve seen on the coasts of both FL & CA that are found in large groups. They eat at the edge of the surf, running away from the water as it comes in. Adorable. I’m sure you’ll be happy to leave that heat behind & get back home.
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Sounds a bit like Sanderlings, but they are very similar, but both tend to hand out on the beach so easily mingled. Definitely appreciated the cooler temps at home, but now we are back out in the 90+ heat of Colorado for a week so once again baking in the sun. Got some good birds for the year though, so worth it! Appreciate you dropping in Lisa. I am a bit out of pocket with all the haunt and traveling stuff going on.
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Considering how fast they move, you managed a series of wonderfully sharp photos, Brian. These pipers are such inspiring little but tough birds and it’s very saddening to know how low their numbers are.
How exciting to get feedback from the leg band. And how nice to know that this bird had lived for nearly 6 years!
I saw my first Piping Plover during a trip to Nebraska, and have only seen one more right here in the county, when one got “lost” during migration. I hope there will be more in the future.
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They are definitely some hardy and absolutely fearless birds when it comes to defending their turf – just not the smartest when it comes to picking their nest locations – make a little scratch there, maybe one over there, a couple off over there…nest spots all done honey, pick one! I mentioned in another comment I am a little bit vexed on the banding process as it pains me to see the number of bands they stick on these plovers – I’ve seen them with more than 4 at a time which can’t be comfortable, but then again, I liked learning about the history of this particular specimen. Best wishes for future sightings for you Tanja – they are a joy to watch, especially when they are chasing every other creature off their beach hehehe, Take care, enjoying your Colorado air at the moment. Ran a trail today which included a small mountain – just about wiped me out sucking for air.
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I just hope we can preserve enough breeding beaches for the plovers so they won’t be around to bless us with their presence.
Keep enjoying the Colorado air (or lack thereof!)
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Agreed. Had a lot of fun at Red Rocks today and hoping for another trail run tomorrow morning just to further crush the ego before heading up to the agility show.
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That’s great you were able to see the band so clearly! They are such cute, rounded little shorebirds.
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Luckily took enough shots to eventually get one that revealed the ID! Definitely cute plumpy birds – although they are able to swing that weight around whenever someone intrudes on their territory!!
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