More young Piping Plovers than ever fledged at Milford Point in 2024

The support of Connecticut Audubon members enables Johann Heupel, left, and Matt Joyce to protect Piping Plovers from April through August. Photo by Ken Elkins.

October 11, 2024—Good news to report from the Milford Point Coastal Center: For the second year in a row baby Piping Plovers were abundant, a testament to the support of Connecticut Audubon members and the diligence of the coastal rangers who watch over the nests.

Thirteen pairs of Piping Plovers raised young birds at Milford Point, and 33 of those hatchlings survived the hazardous weeks after hatching to successfully fledge—three more fledglings than the record 30 in 2023.

Piping Plovers are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Milford Point’s 13 pairs make up a significant portion of the state’s breeding population, which has fluctuated over the last 15 years between 45 to almost 80 pairs on approximately 17 beaches

Because of your support and membership, Connecticut Audubon was able to hire two coastal rangers—Matt Joyce and Johann Heupel—to patrol the Milford Point beach and sandbar seven days a week, from dawn to dusk, April through August. Their job was to find and help protect the nests, keep track of the eggs and hatchlings, and let visitors know how to view the birds without putting the birds in danger.

They had some help. One ill-timed coastal storm can easily flood and destroy dozens of nests in one tidal cycle. That didn’t happen in the summer of 2024. And there were challenges. Foxes, crows and other predators were continually looking to raid nests.

But the results show the effectiveness of the patrols. We estimate that, from the time the parents nest to when a young bird fledges, it costs about $1,300 to protect one baby Piping Plover at Milford Point. 

That might sound like a lot but the return on investment is significant: Conservation biologists estimate that for the population of Piping Plovers to increase across their range, they need to average 1.5 fledged birds per nest. 

At Milford Point this year, the average was 2.53 fledglings per nest. And over the last two years, the average was 2.2. 

Connecticut Audubon members should feel proud that their generosity has led to these results.  Thank you!