Breeding Ecology of the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) in Central Saskatchewan
Date
1985-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)were studied in 1980 and 1981 at
Big Quill Lake in southcentral Saskatchewan. Piping Plover arrived at
Big Quill in late April (24 April, 1980 and 21 April, 1981). The first
territories were established by 30 April, 1980 and 27 April, 1981 and the
earliest eggs were laid on 4 May, 1980 and 5
May)1981.
Clutch initiation
dates ranged from 4 May to 31 May in 1980 and from 5 May to 13 May in
1981. Nest success at Big Quill was low. In 1980, 5 of 17 clutches were
successful (18 of 63 eggs hatched) and 12 of 18 chicks were known to have
fledged. In 1981, 2 of 21 clutches were successful (7 of 80 eggs
hatched) and 6 of 7 chicks fledged. Ring-billed Gulls (Larus
delawarensis) were suspected as being the major nest predator. On the
Main Study Site, 6 of 11 pairs in 1980 and 8 of 9 pairs in 1981 initiated
second clutches. The interval between clutches ranged from 2 to 20 days
in 1980 and 4 to 18 days in 1981, being shorter for males that renested
with the same female. Piping Plover established large unified nesting
and feeding territories. Territory size averaged 30,547 m2 in 1980 and
27,022 m2in 1981. Nests were dispersed and nest spacing averaged 155 m
(25 to 254 m) in 1980 and 157m (51 to 256 m) in 1981. When adjoining
territories remained occupied, broods were raised on the territory. When
unoccupied, broods wandered along the shoreline. The greatest distance a
brood was observed from its nest site was 1600 m. Unsuccessful females
departed from mid-to late June, unsuccessful males departed in late June
to early July, successful females departed in early July and the males
with broods left together from mid-to late July.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Department
Biology
Program
Biology