THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512080517
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
At least 14 pairs of endangered piping plovers nested along southern Outer Banks beaches this year, the National Park Service said this week.
Volunteers and rangers counted seven new chicks that hatched on Hatteras Island.
``This fledgling rate remains well below what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service feels is necessary to save the species,'' Park Ranger Marcia Lyons wrote. ``Though the causes of low productivity remain largely unknown, predation by laughing gull and gull-billed tern was observed this year.''
Residents of and visitors to Hatteras Island helped preserve the tiny, federally protected shorebirds by driving around designated sites where rangers had erected nesting signs this summer.
The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association donated money to help protect the plover. Volunteers helped monitor the nests.
``I am pleased with the public support and cooperation in this research study,'' Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Russell W. Berry said. ``Establishing these seasonally protected areas is vital to nesting success. The majority of visitors respected the signs and remained outside the closed areas.'' by CNB