Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus, egg viability after seawater immersion

Authors

  • Julie McKnight Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Atlantic Region, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2N6
  • Linda Thomas Prince Edward Island National Park, Parks Canada, 2 Palmers Lane, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 5V6
  • Diane L. Amirault Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Atlantic Region, 17 Waterfowl Lane, Sackville, New Brunswick E4L 1G6

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v118i3.23

Keywords:

Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus melodus, flooding, high tide, hatching success, viability, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia

Abstract

Four observed nest histories indicate Piping Plover eggs are able to survive immersion in seawater, but little is known regarding their hardiness. As Piping Plover nests are often exposed to tidal flooding, their eggs may be relatively resistant to inundation by seawater. Therefore, we suggest that replacing eggs recently flooded or washed out of nests is a viable option for the recovery of individual nests.

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Issue

Vol. 118 No. 3 (2004)

Section

Notes

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