We are so very sorry to share that the third chick was killed this morning. The seven-day-old chick was taken and eaten by a very large crow that swooped in unexpectedly, as witnessed by the volunteer monitors.
One week ago today all four Good Harbor Beach Piping Plovers hatched in the parking lot. We celebrated, but also knew that the really hard part was yet to come. Monitoring tiny marshmallow sized fluff balls, made the color of their surroundings, is like looking for sand upon sand. To do this several hours at a time is no small feat, made even more challenging on Gloucester’s busiest of beaches.
I would like to give a huge shout out and thank you to all our super dedicated PiPl monitors. Know that they are doing the very best they can to fend off predators of every kind, ill mannered people, astronomically high tides, diminished beach, people who have been drinking in the hot sun all day, garbage left behind on the beach (which attracts crows and gulls), and every other creepy thing you can think of. The core group is putting in many hours, are sunburnt, and neglecting their families.
A terrible mishap of death or injury to a chick could happen on anyone of our shifts. When you see a PiPl monitor at GHB, stop and feel free to ask questions about the plovers, and please thank them for their dedication. I honestly hope I don’t see one more facebook post/comment blaming the monitors about how we are not doing enough to keep the chicks safe and not reporting enough about the scofflaws. It is just plain cruel. Thank you.
Our one remaining chick, the one volunteer monitor Heather Hall calls Pip, is the smallest of the hatchlings and the one we think hatched last. This afternoon Mom was keeping watchful eye while Pip was foraging between the foot of the dunes and line of folks at the rope’s edge.
Climbing Mount Washington
Mama Plover and Pip
Early this morning when we still had both chicks.
Good Morning Gloucester 
I cringe and am so sad when I see these headlines about the loss of a PiPl chick. You monitors are working incredibly hard to protect them from all dangers, including ignorant humans. Thank goodness you are there.
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The volunteers who spend so much time monitoring and protecting the Plover parents and babies are amazing, caring and dedicated people. It’s heartbreaking to lose 3 chicks, but the volunteers are doing everything possible to protect them.
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Sorry to hear this keep up doing what you can to help them both grow and fly to adulthood! 😦 Dave & Kim 😦
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We very much appreciate the monitors’ work and love our plovers. Thank you so much, and thank you Good Morning Gloucester for keeping us informed.
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Pip, you little wonder, we are pulling for you! To all the dedicated monitors, THANK you! Your service to these fragile but incredible creatures is amazing.
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Oh so very sorry to hear about the little chick. They are so adorable and gentle creatures. A message to the monitors: I admire you and am grateful for your generosity and kindness – to watch over those little babies. Thank you!
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