Piping Plover Chick Reunited with Mom after Rehab at Wild Care Cape Cod

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD: Wild Care staff received a message about a Piping Plover chick from the Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS), Newcomb Hollow Beach, Wellfleet. The 3-day old chick was washed over by the surf and was wet and laying down in the sand. The finder took the bird home and contacted us. Jennifer Taylor our Animal Care Coordinator, met the finder at Wild Care at 9PM to stabilize the chick.
The next morning, we were thrilled to see that the plover chick was bright and alert! With explicit permission from USFWS and MassWildlife, we transported the chick to a CCNS Lead Biological Science Technician. Due to intense monitoring of Piping Plovers on the Seashore, they knew exactly where the chick's family was located at Newcomb Hollow.
We re-introduced the plover to its parents and 3 siblings. It was accepted immediately. We watched with teary eyes as the mother approached the chick and brooded it. A very moving experience to watch! As of this weekend, the chick was seen with its family.
Piping Plovers are a State and federally Threatened shorebird under the Endangered Species Act. Wild Care works directly with USFWS and MassWildlife and under our federal and state rehabilitation permits to have this species in possession.
If you find a Piping Plover adult or chick that you believe is orphaned or injured, do not touch it. Chicks often lay flat in the sand to camouflage from predators. If you believe the chick is in distress, or you do not see the parents. Don't take matters into your own hands. Contact the following:
Cape Cod National Seashore:
Headquarters -508-771-2144
CCNS after hours Dispatch - 617-242-5659
Town Beaches:
Contact your town's Natural Resources Dept. immediately.
Learn how you can protect Piping Plovers.
www.mass.gov/s...