Snowy Plovers are small shorebirds that nest on beaches along the Pacific Coast of North America. They begin nesting in mid-March to early April. The timing of nesting can vary depending on location and weather conditions each year.
When is the Snowy Plover breeding season?
The breeding season for Snowy Plovers extends from mid-March through September. However, peak nesting activity occurs between mid-April and mid-June. During this time, females lay clutches of 2-3 eggs in shallow scrapes or depressions in the sand above the high tide line. Incubation lasts about 27-29 days before the eggs hatch.
What factors influence when Snowy Plovers nest?
There are several key factors that affect the timing of nesting in Snowy Plovers:
- Day length – Increasing day length in the spring triggers hormones involved in breeding behavior.
- Sand temperature – Warmer sand provides optimal conditions for egg incubation.
- Food availability – An abundance of small invertebrates provides nutrition for breeding adults and hatchlings.
- Weather – Severe storms, high tides, and heavy rain can flood or destroy nests.
- Predation – Lower predator populations earlier in the season improve nest success.
Snowy Plovers tend to nest earlier at southern latitudes because of warmer conditions. Nests initiated in late March and early April have the highest chances of success before predator populations grow. However, plovers can renest multiple times if a clutch is lost.
How do Snowy Plovers choose nest sites?
Snowy Plovers nest in open areas with sandy or gravelly substrates. Ideal nesting habitat includes beaches, sand spits, dune systems, and salt pans in coastal areas. When selecting a specific nest site, Snowy Plovers prefer these characteristics:
- Open visibility – Allows detection of approaching predators
- Sparse vegetation – Provides unobstructed access to and from the nest
- Objects or debris – Help camouflage the nest scrape
- Elevation – Above the high tide line reduces risk of flooding
Both male and female plovers will actively defend the nesting territory from intruders or predators during incubation. However, nests are still vulnerable to flooding, wind, extreme heat, and disturbance by humans and pets.
What is the nesting process like for Snowy Plovers?
The typical nesting process for Snowy Plovers includes these steps:
- Courtship & Mating – In March and April, males will perform courtship displays like stone-throwing and scraping to attract a mate.
- Nest Site Selection – The pair chooses a site with optimal camouflage, temperature, and visibility.
- Nest Building – Using their breast and feet, the pair forms a shallow scrape or depression in the sand.
- Egg Laying – The female lays a clutch of 2-3 eggs over 2-4 days in April-July.
- Incubation – Both parents incubate the eggs for 27-29 days before they hatch.
- Brood Rearing – The hatchlings are precocial, mobile, and able to feed within hours. The parents defend and brood the chicks for about 1 month until fledging.
Renesting will occur if the eggs are buried, flooded, overheated, eaten, or otherwise destroyed. Snowy Plovers can produce up to 3 clutches per season from different mates.
How long does a Snowy Plover nest with eggs or chicks?
A Snowy Plover nest with eggs or chicks is active for approximately 2 months during the breeding season:
- Egg laying: 2-4 days
- Incubation: 27-29 days
- Brood rearing: 28-31 days until fledging
If a nest fails, the parents may re-nest up to 2-3 more times. So a pair could potentially be nesting for 3-4 months from initial courtship until the last brood fledges. The eggs and chicks are very vulnerable during the first week after hatching. More than 50% of broods are lost within 7 days due to predation, weather, and human disturbance.
How can humans help protect Snowy Plover nests?
There are several ways humans can help protect Snowy Plover nesting habitat and increase nest success rates:
- Respect beach closures and stay out of roped-off nesting areas
- Don’t fly kites or drones near nesting sites
- Keep dogs and vehicles off nesting beaches
- Pick up trash and food scraps that attract predators
- Remove invasive beach vegetation to maintain sparse cover
- Support conservation groups that monitor and manage plover populations
- Advocate for protected nesting reserves and breeding grounds
Public education and responsible recreation are vital to give Snowy Plovers the disturbance-free space they need during their critical nesting season. Paying attention to beach closure signs and wildlife buffers goes a long way in supporting their survival and recovery.
Conclusion
In summary, Snowy Plovers breed primarily from mid-March through mid-September, with peak nesting activity from April to June. Nest site selection, incubation, and brood rearing can take up to 2 months for each clutch. Careful timing and location of nests are critical to maximize chances of egg and chick survival. By respecting protected nesting areas and minimizing disturbance, people can help ensure Snowy Plovers successfully raise the next generation each year.