Michigan's Cooperative Endangered Species Program. Interim Performance Report

Transcription

1 STATE: GRANT TITLE: FEDERAL IDENTIFIER: Michigan Michigan's Cooperative Endangered Species Program E-20-R SEGMENT: 1 REPORT TYPE: Interim Performance Report REPORTING PERIOD: Fiscal Year 2008 Summary: This Interim Performance Report covers the 12 month period of Fiscal Year The goals of this grant include providing support to restore, enhance and manage prairie fen habitat to aid in the recovery of Mitchell s satyr and eastern massasauga rattlesnake in Michigan. Additionally, this grant addresses three research objectives key to recovery of the endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) population. These goals were addressed through objectives detailed in the grant proposal. The amount of each objective to be achieved during this reporting period was established in the grant proposal for this segment. A summary of the accomplishments completed by objective is given below. Accomplishments: The accomplishments by each project statement objective are summarized in the following table. Reporting units given are those established in the grant proposal. Explanations of any slippages greater than +/- 10% are provided following the table if necessary. Project Statement and Objectives Planned Accomplishments Reporting Units Actual Accomplishments Restoration, enhancement and management of prairie fens in Southern Michigan to aid in recovery of Mitchell s satyr, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes and associated species. 1. Prairie Fen Restoration 5 Acres restored Prairie Fen Enhancement and Management 30 Acres maintained 5.7 STATE OF MICHIGAN E-20-R Michigan's Cooperative Endangered Species Program Interim Performance Report Segment 1 Fiscal Year 2008 Page 1 of 3

2 Project Statement, Study, and Objectives Jobs with Planned Work Jobs with Work Conducted Study Completed? 1 Research and recovery of the Great Lakes Piping Plover population. Study 2.1. Population dynamics, genetic diversity and nest-site productivity research on Great Lakes Piping Plovers in Michigan. 1. Population Data , , Genetic Analysis 2.1.4, Comparative Breeding-site Productivity Analysis 2.1.5, , Reported Expenses: The expenses reported below are the total reported for activities reimbursable under this grant agreement, but were not necessarily charged to these federal assistance funds 1. Labor and expenses were queried using activity codes rather than the funding and appropriation codes as are typically used to verify federal aid expenses. No travel or Motor Transport Division (MTD) costs were charged to this grant. Project Statement and Objectives Planned Expenditures Actual Expenditures 1 Restoration, enhancement and management of prairie fens Southern Michigan to aid in recovery of Mitchell s satyr, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes and associated species. 1. Prairie Fen Restoration $4,200 $3, Prairie Fen Enhancement and Management $20,320 $17,521 Project Totals $24,520 $21,143 Research and recovery of the Great Lakes Piping Plover population. Study 2.1. Population dynamics, genetic diversity and nest-site productivity research on Great Lakes Piping Plovers in Michigan. 1. Population Data $123,444 $77, Genetic Analysis $18,489 $0 3. Comparative Breeding-site Productivity Analysis $16,488 $8,996 Project Totals $158,421 $86,433 Segment Totals $182,941 $107,576 1 The expenses provided are for grant evaluation purposes only and may include expenses that were eligible for reimbursement but were not actually charged to the grant. These values are not necessarily included in Financial Status Reports nor are they subject to financial audits. Actual grant expenditure tracking with supporting documentation necessary for audit purposes is not maintained by MDNR at the objective level. All financial tracking and reporting for the purposes of audits is at the grant level only. Slippages/Discussion of Accomplishments and Expenditures: Restoration, enhancement and management of prairie fens in Southern Michigan to aid in recovery of Mitchell s satyr, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes and associated species. STATE OF MICHIGAN E-20-R Michigan's Cooperative Endangered Species Program Interim Performance Report Segment 1 Fiscal Year 2008 Page 2 of 3

3 Most of the work to restore and manage grasslands and wetlands has been switched to State Wildlife Grant funds to allow the majority of the funds in this grant to be used for Piping Plover management. One project to restore and enhance prairie fens was funded through Work Item Proposals (WIPs). WIPs are part of a Wildlife Division process used to identify the highest priority items to be addressed in any given fiscal year. The Completed WIP is listed below by its division assigned identifier. SWM : Prairie Fen Restoration. MNFI staff have prepared a Mitchell's satyr site conservation plan for the Turner Creek wetlands which details specific tasks and locations where management is needed to protect and enhance the Mitchell's satyr population. The site conservation plan calls for restoration of 20 acres of potential Mitchell's satyr habitat over three years. During winter 2007, trees and shrubs were cleared from approximately 5.7 acres of potential Mitchell's satyr habitat following the recommendations of the site conservation plan. In FY 2008, all trees and shrubs except mature tamarack and white pine were hand cut and removed from a 4.0 acre unit of the Turner Creek Fen. All cut stems were treated with a 27% glyphosate solution. All objectives were met with this contract. This project is on track for completion in FY Study 2.1. Population dynamics, genetic diversity and nest-site productivity research on Great Lakes Piping Plovers in Michigan. Work on this ongoing study was again contracted to the University of Minnesota as it has been for many years. The University staff has been working with the entire Great Lakes population of Piping Plovers and has the best expertise on researching and managing this species. Genetic analysis work was not conducted in fiscal year 2008, but remains a part of the study and results will be included in the final report at the completion of this study. A summary of fiscal year 2008 activities is provided in the following attached report: Cuthbert, F.J. and E.A. Roche Piping Plover Breeding Biology and Management in the Great Lakes, A Report Submitted to: East Lansing Field Office of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, East Lansing and Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programs of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lansing, MI in March 2009 by: Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota. STATE OF MICHIGAN E-20-R Michigan's Cooperative Endangered Species Program Interim Performance Report Segment 1 Fiscal Year 2008 Page 3 of 3

4 For Inter-agency Use Only N OT FOR PUBLICATION Piping Plover Breeding Biology and Management in the Great Lakes, 2008 A Report Submitted to: East Lansing Field Office of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, East Lansing, MI Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programs Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lansing, MI 2 March 2009 by: Francesca Cuthbert Erin Roche Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 1980 Folwell Avenue St. Paul, MN (612) plovers@umn.edu 1

5 Contents: Introduction 2 Methods 3 Results 5 A. Overview 5 B. Individual Site Summaries 5 Lower Peninsula Michigan 5 Ludington State Park Error! Bookmark not defined. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 7 Beaver Island 11 Cross Village Township 12 Bliss Township 12 Wilderness State Park 12 Upper Peninsula Michigan 12 Pointe aux Chenes 13 Port Inland 14 Grand Marais 17 Wisconsin 17 Non-nesting Pairs 19 C. Banding 19 D. Captive rearing 19 Discussion 21 Recommendations 22 Acknowledgements 23 2

6 Introduction: Historically, Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) nested along the shoreline of all the Great Lakes and were once considered locally common throughout the region (Hatt et al. 1948, Cotrille 1957, Lambert & Ratcliff 1981). Increased human use (e.g. recreation; residential development) of plover habitat over the past 100 years is believed to be the most important cause of population decline and current federal endangered status of the Great Lakes Piping Plover population. By 1986, only 17 pairs remained (USFWS 1988). Since listing (USFWS 1988) in 1986, nesting has been restricted to Mason, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Leelanau and Cheboygan counties in Michigan s Lower Peninsula and Alger, Chippewa, Schoolcraft, Delta and Mackinac counties in the Upper Peninsula. Additionally, plovers have also nested in Bayfield and Marinette counties in Wisconsin. This report summarizes monitoring and management activities in the 2008 breeding season. Methods: Surveys. To document breeding activity or presence of non-breeding plovers, we surveyed all Michigan shoreline occupied by nesting plovers since the population was listed and sites with historic records of nesting. Michigan surveys were conducted by field staff from USFWS East Lansing Field Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians, National Park Service, US Forest Service, University of Michigan Biological Station (University of Minnesota), Central Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, and local volunteers. Wisconsin surveys were completed by the USFWS Green Bay Field Office, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS), and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR). Monitoring. To monitor Piping Plover activity in 2008, we repeatedly visited sites in Michigan that are known breeding areas (Stucker and Cuthbert 2004) and/or areas designated as Critical Habitat from late April to early-august. Sites where no plovers were found during visits early in the season were monitored less frequently. Participating cooperators searched all areas on foot along the shoreline and behind the foredune, where habitat appeared suitable. When plovers were sighted, we retreated to a distance at which the plovers resumed normal activity. We observed plovers through binoculars or a spotting scope for signs of breeding behavior or nesting activity. We monitored each pair of plovers periodically from nest initiation (or from when the nest was first located) until the chicks fledged or the pair left the site after the nest was destroyed or offspring disappeared. As in the past, close communication with landowners and agency personnel was critical to documenting plover movements and fate of chicks before and after fledging. GPS locations of nests were recorded at time of exclosure construction, banding or after plover families moved from their immediate nesting areas. Nest site protection. At all areas except for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we erected a lower profile mini-exclosure, approximately 1 m square and 0.6 m tall of 2 x 4 (5 x 10 cm) galvanized welded mesh, to protect the nest before clutch completion. Predator exclosures, similar to those described by Rimmer and Deblinger (1990), were erected around all nests upon clutch completion. We 3

7 used three or four corner posts and 50 (15m) of 2 x 4 (5 x 10 cm) galvanized welded mesh to create a large exclosure. The tops of exclosures were covered with ¾ Bird-X netting. On North Manitou Island, all exclosures used four smaller posts (roughly half the size of the posts used for the full-exclosures) and ¾ Bird-X netting. Exclosures were constructed away from the nest site. After exclosures were erected, pairs were observed until one bird returned to incubate and often until a pair completed a nest exchange. Nesting areas were posted with Michigan DNR Unlawful to Enter signs, USFWS Closed Area signs, and/or modified Piping Plover signs for use on private or township properties. Nesting areas were closed with psychological fencing (twine and signs) where possible. Banding. We captured and banded adults and chicks according to procedures stipulated by our USFWS permit. We used a single-chamber Potter trap (Lincoln 1947) to capture adults while they incubated eggs on the nest. We replaced eggs with ceramic replicas (fake eggs) as a precaution against damaging eggs during trapping. We continued use of a banding system first initiated in 2005 and instituted to: standardize with the international shorebird banding scheme, potentially reduce risk of band wear/band injuries, and increase visibility/ease of identifying birds throughout the annual cycle. Adults were banded with a USFWS aluminum leg band above the tibiotarsal joint on one leg, an orange plastic flag above the tibiotarsal joint on the other leg, and a unique combination of three plastic color bands on the tarsi. We also weighed each bird, recorded sex of adults based on plumage characteristics (Wilcox 1959) and observed post-release behavior. We ensured eggs were not left exposed for excessive lengths of time, birds were handled as carefully and as briefly as possible, and adults were released near the nest after they were banded. Chicks were captured by hand and each was weighed and banded with a USFWS aluminum leg band above the tibiotarsal joint on one leg, an orange band above the tibiotarsal joint on the other leg, and one colored plastic band on the tarsus to indicate its brood. When banding chicks we continued to seal plastic bands located below the tibiotarsal joint but did not seal orange bands located above the tibiotarsal joint. We attempted to capture all chicks from a single brood simultaneously and released them together to facilitate safe return to their parents. After release, we observed parents and chicks from a distance to verify that parents reaccepted chicks. Captive rearing. In the event of nest or egg abandonment, we watched nests until we were certain they were deserted (as per guidelines outlined in USFWS Permit TE ) and then transported abandoned eggs to the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) where we candled them to determine fertility. We placed eggs that appeared viable in the Lyons or Grumbach incubator (obtained by Tom Schneider, Detroit Zoo, through funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation) until they hatched or no development occurred; unhatched or inviable eggs were held in the refrigerator until they were sent to USFWS for contaminant analysis. In 2008, we assessed the effectiveness of the Lyons and Grumbach incubators by placing half an incubated clutch in each incubator; incubator-type was not found to influence hatch success. General captive rearing methods were the same as described in previous annual reports (e.g. Stucker and Cuthbert 2004). Prior to release each chick was banded with an aluminum band and three plastic color bands. After release, daily or every-other-day checks were 4

8 conducted at the release sites to locate captive reared fledglings. Results: A. Overview In 2008, 63 pairs of Piping Plovers were known to nest in the Great Lakes. Of these, 41 nested successfully (i.e. fledged at least one chick without the aid of captive-rearing), producing a total of 113 wild-reared fledglings (Table 1). Nests at North Manitou Island, Sleeping Bear Point, Platte Point, Pointe aux Chenes, Grand Marais, and Long Island contributed the largest number of wild fledglings to the wild population; additional 2008 fledging estimates are detailed in Table 1. Average reproductive success was 1.79 wild-reared fledglings per nesting pair. Piping Plovers in Michigan s Lower Peninsula produced an average of 2.24 wild-reared fledglings per pair, while Piping Plovers in Michigan s Upper Peninsula produced an average of 1.5 wild-reared fledgling per nesting pair (Table 1, Table 3, Table 4). When captive-reared and released chicks were included, average reproductive success was 2.16 fledglings per nesting pair. In 2008, 71 nests were distributed across federal, state and private land (Table 2). The percent of nests on private land appears to be decreasing as the population increases and plovers reoccupy federal and state owned habitat (e.g. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore). B. Individual Site Summaries Lower Peninsula Michigan Surveys in suitable habitat were conducted by National Park Service personnel, U of Minnesota field biologists stationed at UMBS, Michigan State Park personnel, Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel, and Jack Dingledine (USFWS). The following locations were checked in 2007 and no nesting Piping Plovers were observed. A + indicates non-breeding Piping Plovers were observed. Lake Michigan Lake Huron Beaver Island Alpena Christmas Cove Cheboygan State Park + High Island Grass Bay Fisherman s Island, State Park Tawas State Park + Nordhouse Dunes, Huron-Manistee National Forest+ Harrisville State Park North and South Fox Island Hoeft State Park 5

9 Thorne Swift Nature Preserve North Point Cross Village South Petoskey State Park Manistee For the first time recorded, a pair nested on the 5th Avenue Public Beach in the city of Manistee. Manistee (#701) A pair was first reported on 10 May and scrapes were found on 13 May. On the 18 May a one-egg clutch was discovered; by 21 May the pair had laid 3 eggs and eventually completed a four-egg clutch. The female was uniquely banded on 4 June and the male on 10 June. On 17 June four chicks hatched and on 26 June all four chicks were banded. Four chicks fledged from this nest. Ludington State Park Four pairs nested in Ludington State Park and 9 chicks fledged. Pairs nested at the following locations: north of the lighthouse, approximately a kilometer north of the public beach house, and on the beach ~ 2 kilometers south of the river. Ludington - beachhouse (#695) A pair was first observed on 5 May and a one-egg nest was found on 19 May; a mini-exclosure was erected on 21 May. The four-egg clutch was completed on 25 May. A full exclosure was constructed. The female was uniquely banded on 10 June. On 22 June four chicks hatched, two chicks died prior to 29 June and two chicks were banded on 10 July. Two chicks fledged from this site and were last seen together on 22 June. The female of the pair was last observed on 14 July and the male on 22 July. Ludington - north of lighthouse 1 (#696) A three-egg clutch was found on 25 May and the four-egg clutch completed on 26 May. A mini-exclosure was erected on 28 May and a full exclosure was constructed. The female was uniquely banded on 4 June and the male on 10 June. On 27 June three chicks hatched but all disappeared in the 24 hours following hatch. The female of the pair was last observed on 1 July and the male on 21 July. Ludington - north of lighthouse 2 (#697) A one-egg nest was found on 16 June and the fouregg clutch was completed on 20 June; a full exclosure was erected on 22 June. The male was uniquely banded on 10 July. On 16 July four chicks hatched and were banded on 24 July. One chick disappeared ~ 26 July; the remaining three chicks fledged and were last 6

10 observed on 20 August. The female of the pair was last observed on 17 August and the male on 28 July. Ludington - south of the river (#698) A pair was first observed on 8 May and a two-egg nest was found on 22 May. A mini-exclosure was erected but the pair acted skittish and the exclosure was removed. The two-egg nest disappeared on 22 May. The pair renested together. Ludington - south of the river a* (renest) (#699) The south of the river pair renested nearby and on 24 May a one-egg nest was found and a mini-exclosure erected. A full exclosure was erected over a four-egg clutch. The female was uniquely banded on 10 June. However, the nest was flooded and lost on 13 June. The pair renested. Ludington - south of the river b* (renest) (#700) The south of the river pair renested yet again. On 20 June a one-egg nest was found and a mini-exclosure erected. A full exclosure was erected over a four-egg clutch. On 19 July four chicks hatched and were banded on 24 July. All four chicks fledged, were last observed as a group on 9 August and seen individually or as pairs through 20 August. The female was last observed on 23 July and the male on 14 August. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore In 2008, 22 pairs of Piping Plovers nested in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore; 22 nests were initiated and 45 chicks fledged. SLBE Sleeping Bear Point, Glen Haven In 2008, 2 pairs nested at Sleeping Bear Point near Glen Haven; 8 chicks fledged. Glen Haven - SLBE Point 1 (#702) The male of the pair was first observed on 14 April, the female on 19 April and the two first considered a pair on 19 April. A one-egg clutch was found on 5 May and a mid-sized exclosure was constructed on 12 June. Four chicks hatched on 11 June and three chicks were banded on 19 June. One chick was missed during the banding as it had apparently switched into the SLBE Pt 2 brood on 11 June (unbeknownst to the banders). Four chicks fledged from this site by 4 July. Glen Haven - SLBE Point 2 (#703) The male of the pair was first observed on 14 April, the female on 1 May and the two first considered a pair on 1 May. Copulations were observed on 6 May and a two-egg clutch was found on 12 May and a full exclosure was constructed on 18 May. Four chicks hatched on 12 June and four chicks were banded on 19 June. Four chicks fledged from this site by 4 July. SLBE Platte Point In 2008, 6 pairs nested in the Platte Point area and fledged 17 chicks. 7

11 Platte - North 1 (#717) The male of the pair was first observed on 10 April, the female on 17 April and the two first considered a pair on 20 April. Scrapes were first observed on 24 April and a two-egg clutch was found on 7 May. A mid-sized exclosure was erected over the four-egg clutch on 12 May. Two chicks hatched on 9 June but disappeared that same day. The male of the pair also disappeared on 9 June and the female was observed on North Manitou Island. Platte - North 2 (#718) A pair with scrapes was first observed on 24 April. On 7 May the pair was observed copulating and a one-egg nest was found on 15 May. A full exclosure was erected on 22 May. On 18 June four chicks hatched and were banded on 26 June. Four chicks fledged by 14 July. The male was last seen on 17 July and the female between 6 July and 13 July. Platte - North 3 (#719) The male of the pair was first observed on 20 April, the female on 19 April and the two first considered a pair on 20 April. A four-egg clutch was found on 30 May and a mid-sized exclosure was constructed on 31 May. The male was uniquely banded on 6 June. On 25 June four chicks hatched, one chick disappeared around 29 June and three banded on 9 July. Three chicks fledged by 21 July. The female was last seen between 6 July and 13 July and the male on 23 July. Platte - North 4 (#720) The male of the pair was first observed on 12 May, the female on 2 June and the two first considered a pair on 2 June. A three-egg clutch was found on 2 June, the four-egg clutch was completed on 3 June and a full-sized exclosure was erected the same day. The female was uniquely banded on19 June. On 30 June four chicks hatched and four chicks were banded on 9 July. Two chicks disappeared around 14 July and two chicks fledged by 28 July. The female was last seen on 14 July and the male on 25 July. Platte - South 1 (#716) A pair was first observed on 17 April and copulations were observed on 24 April. A one-egg clutch was found on 5 May and a full exclosure was erected on 12 May. Four chicks hatched on 8 June and were banded on 19 June. Four chicks fledged by 30 June. The female was last observed on 2 July and the male on 17 July. Platte - South 2 (#721) The male of the pair was first observed on 29 April, the female on 2 May and the two first considered a pair on 7 May when scrapes were discovered. A oneegg clutch was found on 19 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected on 23 May. The female was uniquely banded on 6 June. Four chicks hatched on 22 June, were banded on 26 June and fledged by 18 June. The female was last seen between 6 July and 13 July, the male was last seen on 17 July. SLBE Tiesma Beach In 2008, 2 pairs nested on Tiesma Beach and fledged 7 chicks. 8

12 Tiesma 1 (#722) The male of the pair was first observed on 13 April, the female on 17 April and the two first considered a pair on 17 April when scrapes were discovered. A two-egg clutch was found on 6 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected on 9 May. Four chicks hatched on 5 June, were banded on 19 June and fledged by 27 June. The female was last seen on 1 July and the male on 13 July. Tiesma 2 (#723) The male of the pair was first observed on 29 April, the female on 5 May and the two first considered a pair on 5 May when scrapes were discovered. A four-egg clutch was found on 21 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected on 21 May. The female was uniquely banded on 6 June. Four chicks hatched on 16 June, were banded on 26 June and fledged by 13 July. The female was last seen between 6 July and 13 July and the male was last seen on 13 July. SLBE-North Manitou Island In 2008, 12 pairs nested at Dimmick s Point on North Manitou Island (NMI); 13 chicks fledged. No pairs nested at Donner s Point on North Manitou Island. NMI - Dimmick Central 1A (#706) The male of the pair was first observed on 21 April, the female on 8 May and the two first considered a pair on 8. A two-egg clutch was found on 12 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected on 15 May. The female was uniquely banded on 29 May. Four chicks hatched on 15 June, two chicks disappeared around 16 June and two chicks were banded on 24 June. A third chick disappeared around 30 June and one chick fledged by 11 July. The female was last seen on 3 July and the male was last seen on 11 July. NMI - Dimmick Central 2 (#707) A pair was first observed on 21 April, a two-egg nest was found on 15 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected. The female was uniquely banded on 29 May. Four chicks hatched on 13 June, one chicks disappeared by 16 June, another two had disappeared by 24 June. One chick was banded on 24 June and this chick disappeared prior to fledging on 1 July. The male and female were both last seen on 9 July. NMI - Dimmick Central 3 (#711) A pair was first observed on 8 May, a three-egg nest was found on 19 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected. Four chicks hatched on 15 June and four chicks were banded on 24 June. One chick disappeared following banding and three chicks fledged by 8 July. The male and female were both last observed on 11 July. NMI - Dimmick East 1 (#708) A pair was first observed on 21 April, a two-egg nest was found on 8 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected on 12 May. The female was last observed incubating on 29 May and following here disappearance, the male could not maintain regular incubation. Fake eggs were placed in the nest and the four salvaged eggs 9

13 were transported to UMBS. The male was last observed on 18 July. Monitors suspected the female was depredated by a Merlin that was observed hunting the point. NMI - Dimmick East 2 (#704) A pair was first observed on 21 April, a three-egg nest was found on 13 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected the same day. Three chicks hatched on 11 June and the remaining unhatched egg was transported to UMBS. Two chicks disappeared by 16 June and one chick was banded on 24 June. One chick fledged by 1 July. The female was last observed on 1 July and the male on 11 July. NMI - Dimmick East 3 (#714) The male of the pair was first observed on 8 May, the female on 18 May and the two first considered a pair on 19 May. A four-egg nest was found on 19 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected the same day. The male was last observed incubating on 9 June and on 12 June the four eggs were collected and transported to UMBS. A female merlin was removed from NMI following this incident. The female of the pair was last observed on 11 July. NMI - Dimmick East 4 (#712) The male of the pair was first observed on 21 April, the female on 12 May and the two first considered a pair on 12 May. Copulations were observed on 20 May and a two-egg clutch was found the same day. A mid-sized exclosure was erected on 22 May. Four chicks hatched on 21 June and were banded on 24 June. Two chicks disappeared by 30 June and a third by 7 July. One chick fledged by 17 July. The female was last observed on 3 July and the male on 17 July. NMI - Dimmick East 5 (#715) The male of the pair was first observed on 21 April, the female on 8 May and the two first considered a pair on 29 June. A complete three-egg clutch was found on 26 June and a mid-sized exclosure was erected on 27 May. The female was last observed on 11 July and the male on 18 July. The eggs were collected and transported to UMBS. Monitors did not believe the female was depredated but rather that she had left for the summer; a number of female plovers were observed to depart in and around 11 July. NMI - Dimmick West 1 (#709) The male and female of this pair were both observed on 21 April but were not considered a pair until 8 May. A one-egg clutch was found on 12 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected on 15 May. Four chicks hatched on 15 June and were banded on 24 June. One chick disappeared by 30 June and the remaining three chicks fledged by 7 July. The female was last observed on 3 July and the male on 18 July. NMI - Dimmick West 2 (#710) The male of the pair was first observed on 21 April, the female on 8 May and the two first considered a pair on 8 May. A three-egg clutch was found on 15 May and a mid-sized exclosure was erected the same day. The female was last observed incubating on 19 May. Following her disappearance fake eggs were placed in the nest and four eggs were salvaged and transported to UMBS. Monitors suspected the 10

14 female was depredated by a Merlin that was observed hunting the point. The male was last observed on 19 June. NMI - Dimmick West 3 (#705) A pair was first observed on 21 April and a one-egg clutch was found on 12 May. A mid-sized exclosure was erected on 13 May. Four chicks hatched on 10 June, one disappeared by 16 June and the remaining three were banded on 24 June. A second chick disappeared by 30 June and the remaining two chicks fledged. The female was last observed on 8 July and the male on 12 June. NMI - Dimmick West 4 (#713) The male of the pair was first observed on 21 April, the female on 12 May and the two first considered a pair on 29 May. The pair was observed copulating on 23 May and a three-egg clutch was found on 29 May. A mid-sized exclosure was erected on 29 May. Four chicks hatched on 29 June, one chick disappeared by 30 June, the second by 2 July and two chicks were banded on 16 July. Two chicks fledged by 22 July. The female was last observed on 3 July and the male on 22 July. Beaver Island No Piping Plovers were observed on Beaver Island during High Island No Piping Plovers were observed on High Island during Cross Village Township In 2008, one pair of plovers nested on the beach on N. Hogan s property south of Cross Village Township public beach, two pairs nested on property owned by the Sommerville s and one pair nested on privately-owned property slightly south of Sommerville s in the Cross Village Shores development. These pairs fledged a total of 8 chicks. Cross Village - Central (#724) On 19 April a pair was observed, on 10 May a two-egg clutch was found and a mini-exclosure was erected. The four-egg clutch was completed on 14 May and a full exclosure was erected on 17 May. Three chicks hatched on 6 June and were banded on 14 June. One chick disappeared by 17 June and a second by 5 July; a tail and two wings were collected. One chick fledged and was last observed on 15 July at Cross Village North. The female was last observed on 8 July and the male on 11 July, both at Cross Village North. Cross Village - North 1 (#725) A pair was observed scraping on 3 May and a one-egg clutch was found on 10 May; a mini-exclosure was erected the same day. The three-egg clutch was completed on 14 May and a full exclosure was erected on 19 May. The male was uniquely banded on 23 May. On 8 June the eggs were found outside the exclosure (presumably moved by flooding the night before) and the adults were not observed. Fake eggs were placed in the nest and the eggs were salvaged. The next day the pair was 11

15 observed incubating the fake eggs. The salvaged eggs were returned on 12 June only to be completely lost by flooding that took place on 13 June. This pair renested. Cross Village - North 1a* (renest) (#726) The Cross Village - North 1 pair renested south of the washed-out nest. A four-egg clutch was found on 29 June and a mini-exclosure was erected. A full-exclosure was not erected. Four chicks hatched on 23 July but all four disappeared the day following hatch. No chicks fledged. Cross Village - North 2 (#728) A pair was observed on 25 May, copulations were observed on 31 May and a two-egg clutch was found on 3 June. A mini-exclosure was also erected on 3 June. The four-egg clutch was completed on 7 June and a full-exclosure was erected at a later date. The male and female were uniquely banded on 12 June. Four chicks hatched on 3 July, were banded on 18 July and fledged. Cross Village - North 3 (#727) A pair was observed on 20 May, copulations were observed on 21 May and a two-egg clutch was found on 6 June. A mini-exclosure was erected on 8 June and the four-egg clutch was completed on 10 June. A full-exclosure was not erected. The male was uniquely banded on 20 June. Three chicks hatched on 9 July, were banded on 18 July and fledged. Wilderness State Park In 2008, one pair of plovers nested at Sturgeon Bay, Wilderness State Park and fledged 3 chicks. Although Piping Plovers were sighted on Waugoshance Point on a few occasions, no nests were initiated; habitat was observed to be heavily vegetated. Sturgeon Bay (#729) A pair was observed on 19 April and scrapes and copulations were observed on 30 April. A four-egg clutch was discovered on 10 May and a mini-exclosure was erected. A full-exclosure was erected on 16 May. Four chicks hatched on 8 June and were banded on 13 June. On 29 June one of the chicks was observed to have an injured leg; algae (Cladophora) had wedged itself between the orange band (placed on the upper leg) and the leg. This band was removed and the chick was transported to UMBS. The chick failed to gain weight and eventually died during surgery in Detroit, MI. Three chicks fledged by 7 July and were last seen at Cross Village North on 16 July. Upper Peninsula Michigan Surveys in suitable habitat were conducted by Christie Deloria-Sheffield (USFWS), Hiawatha National Forest St. Ignace office personnel, and U of Minnesota field biologists stationed at UMBS. The following locations were checked in 2008 and no nesting Piping Plovers were found. A + indicates non-breeding Piping Plovers were observed. 12

16 Lake Superior Lake Michigan Lake Huron Beaver Creek River, mouth Portage Point Marsh + Detour Roadway Park + Chapel Beach Peninsula Point + Crisp Point Grand Marais, Coast Guard Point Grand Marais, Inner West Bay Hurricane River, mouth Lake Superior State Campground, beach Little Lake Harbor Mosquito Bay Muskellunge State Park Naomikong Point Sullivan s Creek, mouth Twelve-mile Beach Two-hearted River, mouth Whitefish Point + Brevort River & Pointe aux Chenes Six pairs fledged 14 chicks in the Brevort River and Pointe aux Chenes area in Brevort - West (#730) The male was first observed on 19 April and the female on 24 April; the two were first considered a pair on 28 April. A four-egg clutch was found on 14 May and a full-exclosure was erected on 15 May. The female was uniquely banded on 23 May. Four chicks hatched on 11 June. Three chicks were banded on 18 June and the fourth at a date a few days later. Four chicks fledged by 11 July. The female of the pair was last observed on 6 July, the male and chicks were last observed on 18 July. Brevort - East (#731) The male was first observed on 24 April and the female on 28 April; the two were first considered a pair on 28 April. A one-egg clutch was found on 12 May and a mini-exclosure was erected on 15 May. The four-egg clutch was completed on 18 May and a full-exclosure was erected on 22 May. On 27 May the pair was not observed for several hours. Fake eggs were placed in the unattended nest and the clutch was transported to UMBS. The next day the pair returned and began incubating the fake eggs. The real eggs were returned to the nest on 7 June. Four chicks hatched on 12 June and were banded on 28 June. Four chicks fledged by 11 July. The female of the pair was last observed on 26 June, the male and chicks were last observed on 18 July. Pointe aux Chenes - Far East (#732) This pair was first observed on 28 April. A one-egg clutch was found on 14 May and a mini-exclosure was erected on 15 May. The four-egg clutch was completed on 20 May and a full-exclosure was erected on 22 May. The female was uniquely banded on 2 June. On 11 June the female was not observed and the male was incubating alone. On 12 June the female was still not present and a Merlin was observed. 13

17 Fake eggs were placed in the nest and the four-egg clutch was collected and transported to UMBS. The male of the pair was last observed in 11 July. Pointe aux Chenes East (#733) The male was first observed on 6 May and the pair on 15 May. Copulations were observed on 19 May; a one-egg clutch was found and a mini-exclosure erected on the same day. The three-egg clutch was completed on 23 May and a fullexclosure was erected on 3 June. The male was uniquely banded on 2 June. Three chicks hatched on 21 June and were banded on 28 June. One of the three chicks disappeared around 7 July. The remaining two chicks fledged by 14 July. The female of the pair was last observed on 6 July, the male on 14 July and the chicks on 24 July. Pointe aux Chenes West (#734) The male was first observed on 28 April, the female on 6 May and two were first considered a pair on 15 May. A one-egg clutch was found on 13 May and a mini-exclosure was erected on 15 May. The four-egg clutch was completed on 19 May and a full-exclosure was erected on 23 May. Four chicks hatched on 16 June and were banded on 28 June. Four chicks fledged by 11 July. The female of the pair was last observed on 14 July, the male on 19 July and the chicks on 24 July. Pointe aux Chenes Far West (#735) The male was first observed on 6 May, the female on 15 May and two were first considered a pair on 15 May. A one-egg clutch was found on 26 May and a mini-exclosure was erected on 18 May. A three egg-clutch was completed on 30 May but the female was not observed following 2 June. The male was last observed 4 June. Fake eggs were placed in the nest cup on 5 June and the three-egg clutch was transported to UMBS. Port Inland Four pairs fledged 8 chicks from the Port Inland area in Port Inland - East 1 (#736) A pair was first observed on 28 April and a two-egg clutch was found on 13 May. A full-exclosure was erected on 17 May. On 21 May the male was not observed and the female was not incubating the four-egg clutch. Fake eggs were placed in the nest cup and the eggs were transported to UMBS. However, the day following the salvage of these eggs both the male and the female were observed incubating the fake eggs. On 27 May the real eggs were returned to Port Inland, but when monitors reached the nest they found the fake eggs unattended and the female of the pair responding to courtship displays of a new male. The male previously associated with this nest was not observed again. The real eggs were returned to UMBS. Port Inland - East 2 (#737) The female from the Port Inland - East 1 renested with a new male first observed on 20 May. A one-egg nest was found on 4 June but by the time the monitor returned on 5 June to erect a mini-exclosure the egg had disappeared. The pair renested. 14

18 Port Inland - East 2a* (renest) (#738) The Port Inland - East 2 pair renested in a location near their previous nest. A one-egg nest was found on 10 June and a mini-exclosure erected the same day. The four-egg clutch was completed on 15 June and a full-exclosure was erected on 18 June. The male was uniquely banded on 23 June. Four chicks hatched on 13 July and were banded on 28 July. Four chicks fledged. Port Inland - East 3 (#739) The male of the pair was first observed on 28 April and the female on 15 June. This female previously nested at Platte North 1. A one-egg clutch was found on 21 June and a mini-exclosure erected. A full-exclosure was erected following the completion of a three-egg clutch. The male was uniquely banded on 3 July. Two chicks hatched on 25 July. One chick was banded on 28 July. No chicks fledged from this nest. Port Inland - 4 (#740) On 20 July the Port Inland monitor reported observing a male plover with four fledged chicks on the port inland - west beach. This male nested on the west beach in However, the west beach was checked daily throughout the breeding season so it is unlikely the male nested in the same location in No female was associated with this group. Gulliver Lake Outlet Gulliver 1 - Outlet (#741) On 17 May a one-egg clutch was found and a mini-exclosure erected. A full exclosure was constructed for the four-egg clutch. The pair incubated these eggs until approximately a week after the hatch date at which point the eggs were removed. The eggs showed no signs of development upon candling, indicating they were either infertile or had died within the first week of incubation. Gulliver 2 - Rocky Point (#742) On 29 May a one-egg clutch was found and a mini-exclosure was erected on 30 May. The four-egg clutch was completed on 3 June and a full-exclosure was erected shortly thereafter. The male and female were uniquely banded on 11 June. On 13 June this nest was flooded following a severe storm with strong southern winds. The pair renested. Gulliver 2a* - Rocky Point (renest) (#743) the Gulliver 2 - Rocky Point pair renested in a location near the flooded nest. A one-egg clutch was found on 24 June and a mini-exclosure was erected the same day. A full exclosure was erected over a four-egg clutch. Three chicks hatched on 25 July and were banded on 28 July. Two chicks disappeared and one chick fledged. Gulliver 3 - Little Creek (#744) A one-egg clutch was found on 6 June and a mini-exclosure erected. The four-egg clutch was completed on X June and a full exclosure was erected on X June. Two attempts were made to band the male of this nest but in both cases the male was not observed to incubate the nest. During the second attempt to band the male the monitor suspected the female may have abandoned the nest. Upon reviewing 15

19 monitoring records it was realized the last time the female had been definitively observed incubating was on 16 June, prior to both attempts to band the male. On 23 June, following the second attempt to band the male, fake eggs were placed in the nest cup and the clutch was transported to UMBS. The male was not observed to incubate the fake eggs. Indian Point In 2008, one pair fledged one chick from Indian Point. Indian Point (#745) A pair was first observed on 17 May. On 19 May a four-egg clutch was found and a full-exclosure was erected on 20 May. The male was uniquely banded on 24 May and the female on 27 May. Following the banding and release of the female, the pair was attacked by a Merlin. The falcon swooped over the pair and perched on a snag approximately 100 ft from the exclosure. The pair did not return to incubate the nest until after the Merlin had left. This nest was flooded following a severe storm with strong southern winds on 6 June. Two eggs were recovered floating in standing water on 7 June and transported to UMBS. The pair renested. Indian Point* (renest) (#746) The Indian Point pair renested in a location near to the flooded nest. A two-egg clutch was discovered on 20 June. The three-egg clutch was completed on 22 June and a full-exclosure was erected on 28 June. Two eggs hatched on 18 July. One chick had disappeared by 27 July and the remaining chick was banded on 28 July. One chick fledged. The male was last observed at Indian Point on 18 July and was observed on the Port Inland east beach the following day. Escanaba, Ludington City Park In 2008, 3 pairs nested on the Aronson Island sandbar but no chicks fledged. Escanaba - Aronson Island Sandbar 1 (#747) On 9 May a pair with a one-egg clutch was found. The four-egg clutch was exclosed on 19 May. This nest was flooded following a severe storm with strong southern winds on the evening of 6 June; two eggs were recovered on 7 June and transported to UMBS. The pair was observed scraping on the sandbar following the storm but the topology of the sandbar had changed substantially and the pair was not observed to renest. The male and female were both last observed on 12 July. Escanaba - Aronson Island Sandbar 2 (#748) A pair with a scrape was first observed on 9 May and on 15 May a two-egg clutch was discovered. The four-egg clutch was completed on 18 May and a full-exclosure was erected on 19 May. The female was last observed on 20 May and on 24 May the male was neither defending his territory nor incubating the nest. The four-egg clutch was transported to UMBS. 16

20 Escanaba - Aronson Island Sandbar 3 (#749) The male was first observed on 15 May and the female on 8 June. The pair was first observed at Indian Point in early June, but on 22 June they were found tending a two-egg clutch on the Aronson Island Sandbar. When the monitor returned to erect a mini-exclosure on 23 June,, the female was no longer present and the two eggs had disappeared. Grand Marais In 2008, four pairs fledged 10 chicks from Grand Marais nests. Grand Marais 1 Cemetery Road Lonesome Point (#752) The male was first observed on 20 April and the female on 29 April; the two were first considered a pair on 29 April. A one-egg clutch was found on 14 May and the four-egg clutch was completed on 20 May. A fullexclosure was constructed on 20 May. Four chicks hatched on 15 June, were banded on 30 June and fledged by 13 July. The female was last observed on 18 July; the male and chicks were observed through 25 July. Grand Marais 2 - Babbit (#750) A pair was first observed on 29 April. On 18 May a one-egg clutch was found, two eggs were laid by 20 May and a mini-exclosure was erected on the two-egg clutch on 23 May. Following two-hours of no parental attendance, the miniexclosure was removed, but the pair did not lay a third egg until 24 May. The four-egg clutch was completed on 26 May and a full-exclosure was erected on 27 May. Monitors suspected laying disruption may have been due to the close proximity of the second nest on the Superior beach (~50 meters away). Three chicks hatched on 23 June and the unhatched egg was transported to UMBS. Three chicks were banded on 30 June and fledged by 22 July. The female was last observed on 17 July, the male on 24 July and the chicks were observed through 25 July. Grand Marais 3 - Farwell (#753) On 12 May a pair was observed and on 27 May a one-egg clutch was found. The three-egg clutch was completed on 7 June and a full-exclosure was erected the same day. On 15 June the male of the pair was found dead, tangled in the birdnetting used to cover the top of the full-exclosure. The male was found tangled on the leftover netting that had been bundled on the side of the top of the exclosure (as per guidelines). The male and eggs were transported to UMBS. Grand Marais 4 - Welker/Park (#751) The male was first observed on 27 April and the female on 29 April, the two were first considered a pair on 29 April. On 23 May copulations and scraping was observed. On 20 May a one-egg clutch was discovered and on 23 May a mini-exclosure was placed over the two-egg clutch due to frequent crow activity in the area. The four-egg clutch was completed on 26 May and a full-exclosure was erected on 27 May. The fourth egg laid was ½ the size of a normal egg and failed to hatch. Three 17

21 chicks hatched on 22 June, were banded on 30 June and fledged by 20 July. The female was last observed on 19 July. Wisconsin Surveys in suitable Lake Michigan shoreline habitat were conducted in Wisconsin by US Fish and Wildlife Service personnel out of the Green Bay field office and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources personnel. Apostle Islands, Wisconsin Five pairs fledged six chicks from nests on Long island. Long Island - 1 (#759) On 21 May a pair with a one-egg clutch was found on Long Island and a full-exclosure was erected on 12 June. A four-egg clutch was completed on 24 May and a full-exclosure erected on 27 May. On 16 June the eggs were found a foot outside the exclosure; monitors suspected the slanting full-exlcosure may have spooked the birds into moving their nest. On 18 June the male and female were uniquely banded. At least one chick hatched on 19 June and by 22 June only one egg was left in the nest (a total of 3 chicks hatched but were not seen). No chicks fledged. Long Island - 2 (#760) On 21 May a pair with scrapes was observed. On 24 May a one-egg clutch was discovered and on 1 June the four-egg clutch was completed; a full-exclosure was erected on 2 June. The male and female were uniquely banded on 18 June. On 27 June two chicks hatched, the remaining unhatched egg was transported to UMBS. Two chicks were banded on 3 July and both chicks fledged. Long Island - 4 (#761) On 21 May a pair was observed copulating and on 31 May a four-egg clutch was discovered; a full-exclosure was erected on 2 June. On 8 June on 3 eggs were found in the nest; monitors suspected waves may have washed one egg away. The male and female were uniquely banded on 18 June. Two chicks hatched on 27 June, the remaining unhatched egg was transported to UMBS. Two chicks were banded on 3 July and both chicks fledged. Long Island - 5 (#762) On 1 June a pair with a one-egg clutch was discovered and the three-egg clutch was competed on 5 June. The male and female were uniquely banded on 18 June. On 5 June the nest was lost to flooding. The pair renested. Long Island - 5a* (renest) (#763) The Long Island - 5 The pair renested and on 8 June a one-egg clutch was discovered. The three-egg clutch was completed on 16 June and a fullexclosure was erected on 20 June. Two chicks hatched on 11 July and were banded on 18 July. Two chicks fledged. Long Island - 6 (#764) On 8 June a one-egg clutch was discovered. The four-egg clutch was completed on 16 June but was not exclosed due to the skittish behavior of the pair. On 19 18