At one time, Prince Edward Island was the summer home of hundreds of Piping Plovers. 

They return each spring from their wintering grounds in the southern United States and Caribbean to breed and care for their chicks.  But over the years, the plovers have seen their habitat disturbed and destroyed by seasonal storms, spring tides and the gradual impact of global warming.  But even more  destructive has been human use of sensitive beach areas. 

Today,  the Piping Plover is an endangered species with barely 100 found on Island beaches each summer

Through the work of Parks Canada in conjunction with the Canadian Wildlife Service and Island Nature Trust, the Piping Plover is beng protected and given a chance to restore its numbers.  And by becoming part of a Piping Plover Patrol you can play a role in saving these marvellous little birds by learning more about them and their plight.

Every day, Linda Thomas works to save the piping plovers in the Prince Edward Island National Park.  As Parks Canada's Piping Plover specialist, starting around mid-April she monitors nesting areas, checking to make sure the birds are safe and collecting information that will be used in the ongoing recovery effort.

You'll join Linda at the Dalvay Operations Centre for a behind-the-scenes look at the scope of work being done in protection, conservation and monitoring.  You'll be updated on where the birds are, recent adverse weather, plover count, raptor sightings and causes of recent nest losses

At the Operations Centre, you'll see large wall maps updated daily with pins indicating location of birds, nests, chicks and lost nests.  The incubator is always running and may contain collected eggs

Then you'll head out on patrol with Linda.  Where you go will depend on the day, the weather and recent sightings.....but a typical route may include a stop at Covehead Bridge where you'll help set up a scope for observing Piping Plovers and other shorebirds like Arctic Terns.   Here, Linda will tell you about some of her favourite plover moments....the five egg nest, flooded eggs hatching and the story of a pair of birds returning to the same site four years in a row.

Then it may be off to Robinson's Island as Linda checks one of the nesting areas.  It's closed to the public so you won't be able to go past the warning signs but with Linda's expertise and binoculars, you may be able to see a nesting plover. 

You'll assist Linda in setting up an exclosure pen so you can see the size and the mesh that allows plover to walk through...but keeps predators out.

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There are a lot of predators in the area so you'll be on the lookout for the tracks of mink, weasels, foxes, crows and gulls.  You might even catch sight of raptors like a Merlin or bald eagle.  Recording signs of predator activity is an important part of a Piping Plover monitor's job so you'll be contributing to their preservation.  

The Piping Plover Patrol is available most afternoons from May through to mid-August and lasts approximately two hours.  Weather permitting.  After mid-August when the Plovers have left, Linda will take visitors out on a shore bird expedition.

Fee: $45/person (includes entrance fee to the Prince Edward Island National Park)

As a Patroller you'll receive a package of information about Parks Canada and the Piping Plover as well as a certificate recognizing your involvement in the effort to protect this precious species.  After you return home, you'll receive periodic updates on Parks Canada's continuing work in saving the Piping Plover.

To learn more about the Piping Plover and the work of Parks Canada to protect it, click here.