Wintering Piping Plovers Increasing in South Carolina

A record total of endangered Piping Plovers were recording during this year's midwinter South Carolina Piping Plover Census which took place from February 7-11, 2008. Census teams found 125 Piping Plovers along the coast, with an additional ten birds that were known to be present. These additional birds were observed soon before and soon after the survey window, but tides and scheduling conflicts prevented researchers from reaching them by boat during the official census window.

This year's Piping Plover totals represent the third record-setting effort in a row in South Carolina. During the 2007 census, teams found 114 Piping Plovers which followed a then-record 100 plovers found during the 2006 International Piping Plover Census.

In addition to Piping Plovers, census participants counted 11 wintering Wilson's Plovers and 760 Red Knots. It appears that the increased local focus on wise beach management, public education and awareness programs, and other efforts are yielding success.