Volunteers searching Saskatchewan for endangered piping plover

More than 100 volunteers will be searching for an endangered bird along Saskatchewan's shorelines.

From June 4 to 17, bird lovers will visit close to 200 lakes and dried up areas where lakes once were across the province to locate piping plovers.

The international piping plover census takes places every five years. Rebecca Magnus, acting species at risk manager with Nature Saskatchewan, says the province is a major nesting ground for the shore bird.

Of the 2,200 birds recorded in the 2011 census, 775 piping plovers made Saskatchewan home which accounts for 34 per cent of the northern great plains population.

According to Magnus, 2011 was a record low for the bird in the province due to the flooding of beaches.

Magnus said the piping plover chicks, which she described as cotton balls on sticks in appearance, need to be able to make it from their nest to the shore to feed on invertebrate, including insects and crustaceans.

Flooding, humans, and ruts caused by livestock or all-terrain vehicles can make it difficult for the baby bird to make it to the beach.

Magnus said conservationists have been trying to increase the bird's population since it became endangered in 1987. She works with landowners to protect the piping plover's nesting grounds.

Conflict over space

Al Smith is coordinating the International Piping Plover census in Saskatchewan. He said the census helps determine the bird's population trend.

"It gives us an idea of what their trends are: whether the numbers are going up, whether the numbers are going down, and whether or not those measures that we are implementing to preserve the numbers or even enhance the numbers are working," Smith said. 

Water management practices can really help the piping plover.- Al Smith, piping plover census coordinator

He said Lake Diefenbaker is one spot that piping plovers like to make their homes. However, he said the filling of the lake to alleviate flooding in other parts has been detrimental at ties to the bird population. 

"If you have to fill lake Diefenbaker up because of possible flooding, as has happened, the piping plover nests get flooded out," he said. 

The Quill Lakes are also a problem spot right now, as the three lakes have flooded into one giant lake. He said the lakes were once the prime breeding spot for the piping plover. 

"At present that lake is not an option." 

Smith said in order for the species to survive, water management needs to be considered among key breeding grounds like the lakes. 

"Water management practices can really help the piping plover," said Smith.