Cape Cod National Seashore 2022 Shorebird Monitoring and Management Report
Whitmore J and Srubas K. 2025. Cape Cod National Seashore 2022 Shorebird Monitoring and Management Report. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/343. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2314713
Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO) plays a crucial role in the conservation of federally and state-listed shorebird species, including the piping plover (Charadrius melodus), least tern (Sternula antillarum), American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), and common tern (Sterna hirundo). Monitoring efforts extended along over 50 miles of coastline from Provincetown to Eastham, Massachusetts, focusing on nesting and brood-rearing behaviors. For the piping plover in the 2022 field season, 117 breeding pairs were recorded, resulting in the laying of 171 nests with 591 eggs; 92 nests successfully hatched, with 189 chicks fledging and an average productivity of 1.62 chicks per pair. Nest losses were mainly attributed to predation and environmental factors, prompting the installation of predator exclosures around 76 nests. The least tern saw 195 breeding pairs with 49 chicks fledged, resulting in a low productivity of 0.25 chicks per pair, primarily affected by predation and human disturbances. Observations of three American oystercatcher pairs revealed a productivity rate of 0.0, caused by predation and abandonment. One common tern pair successfully hatched two chicks, but they were not observed post-hatching, also yielding a productivity of 0.0. Additional focus on staging and migrating shorebirds revealed the presence of various species, including roseate terns, red knots, and semipalmated sandpipers, with observations noted from mid-July through October. This report describes the monitoring efforts implemented by Cape Cod National Seashore to assess the status of shorebird populations. Data collected on shorebird breeding numbers as well as the status of migrating birds are included. In addition, the report describes the management approaches implemented by Cape Cod National Seashore to protect at-risk species while continuing to provide beach access for visitors.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Whitmore, Jessica; Srubas, Kacey
- Date of Issue
- 2025-08
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2314713
- Units
- CACO , NRSS
- Keywords
- cape cod, least tern, monitoring, oystercatcher, piping plover, shorebird
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | At-risk Biota | T&E Species and Communities
- License
- Public Domain