Qalipu technicians researching the piping plover on the west coast

    Friday, 16 February 2024 07:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Natural Resources Technician Julia Ball says the piping plover acts as an important indicator species and gives an idea of the state of an ecosystem.

    The Piping Plover has been an endangered species in this province for some time now but efforts are underway to help grow the tiny bird’s population. The Qalipu Environmental and Natural Resources team has been researching and monitoring the species on the west coast. On Qalipu Today with Lenny Benoit this week, Natural Resources Technician Julia Ball says the piping plover is a small migratory shore bird about 6 inches in length and it has black bands.  Ball says the piping plover acts as an important indicator species and gives an idea of the state of an ecosystem. Byron Bennett is also a Natural Resources Technician. He says research is ongoing to determine its level of classification and if it can be lifted as an endangered species. Bennett says the piping plover is a territorial bird that will protect its surroundings. Piping plover research is taking place in Black Bank, Stephenville Crossing, the Flat Bay Peninsula and Sandy Point. There are approximately 12 or more breeding pairs but the hope is to get that number up to 30.

     

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