The 2004 piping plover nesting season has concluded. An estimated 98 pairs of piping plovers nested on the CNWR this year compared to 72 pairs in 2003. A total of 224 chicks fledged or reached 25 days in age for a productivity ratio of 2.29 chicks per nesting pair. This is the Refuge's highest fledge rate to date!

Refuge staff continued intense monitoring and predator control within the piping plover nesting areas. Eight interns and refuge staff participated in monitoring the piping plover population from sunrise to sunset seven days a week during the breeding season.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' biologist monitored nesting activity and provided fledging success data for Metompkin and Cedar Islands. This year's successful results were well worth all of the hard work and effort.

Amanda Avery, Wildlife Biologist