17 snowy plover chicks hatched to date
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that the 2022 snowy plover nesting season started earlier than it has in the last few years, with the first nest initiated in late March. Five nesting pairs have made nine nest attempts so far, and of the nine nests, seven have successfully hatched out chicks.
One nest was lost to depredation by crows, and one was lost to a tropical weather event in early June. Another nest was inundated during the same storm, but the birds returned to incubate the following day and it eventually hatched two chicks that were 1 month old and near fledging as of July 20.
Of the 17 chicks hatched as of July 20, three had survived to fledging age, two were getting close, and another five were recently hatched and still very small and vulnerable.
“SCCF staff and volunteers are out daily monitoring the birds and educating the public,” SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht said.
One bird managed to incubate its nest alone and raised two chicks to fledging age. No mate was ever observed at the nest or with the chicks. The adult was found dead over the Memorial Day weekend. The necropsy results revealed no sickness and found the cause of death to be trauma, according to the SCCF. The chicks disappeared shortly after. Staff and volunteers remain hopeful that they successfully fledged and left the island.
The SCCF reported that chicks are banded with unique color combinations so that they can be monitored after they leave Sanibel. Reports are received through a variety of sources including E-bird, Facebook, email and the Bird Banding Laboratory. Two of Sanibel’s three 2021 fledges have been documented nesting on Fort Myers Beach this year. One of the island’s five 2020 fledglings has two chicks who are about to fledge.
“Despite our relatively low numbers of fledges in recent years, Sanibel is still a source population producing fledglings that eventually go on to nest in other locations,” Albrecht said.
To report sightings of nests or fledglings, email shorebirds@sccf.org.
To reach SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, please email