Summary

Description

Surveys of breeding populations and nesting habitat of the snowy plover were conducted from January to August, 1989 along the Gulf Coast of Florida and Alabama. Conservative estimates based upon observations of adults, nests, and families of plovers indicate at least 167 breeding pairs of snowy plovers were in Florida in 1989. At least 30 more pair are predicted to have been present in Alabama and Mississippi, making an estimated total of 200 pairs along the eastern Gulf Coast. Nearly all nests were located where the level of human activity was relatively low. Public lands with long, undeveloped beaches contained the most nests; only 22 pairs of plovers were found in south Florida, where undeveloped stretches of beach are rare. Of 85 nests sampled, most were near the front dune mean distance 10.5 m and close to vegetation mean distance 1.4 m. Nests found after midsummer storms were more likely to be located in openings in the dune or behind the dunes. The fates of 83 nests were determined and 42 hatched. Storms, vehicles, predators, and humans accounted for the known causes of nest failure. More information about breeding biology, nesting success, and long term population trends is needed to assist in the conservation of snowy plovers. Immediately, continued and increased protection from human disturbance on public lands would be beneficial. In most areas, nesting success and the number of pairs present could be increased by reducing or altering vehicle traffic, concentrating human activities, and posting nesting areas against trespass.