Document Type
Report
Publication Date
12-2025
Subjects
Western Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus nivosus)
Abstract
We monitored the distribution, abundance and productivity of the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus nivosus) along the central and south coast of Oregon from 3 April – 10 September 2025. We surveyed and monitored plover activity in a project area that included, from north to south, Sutton Beach, Siltcoos River estuary, the Dunes Overlook, North Tahkenitch Creek, Tenmile Creek, Coos Bay North Spit (CBNS), Bandon Snowy Plover Management Area (SPMA), New River Habitat Restoration Area (HRA) and adjacent lands, and Floras Lake. Our objectives for the project area in 2025 were to: 1) estimate the size of the adult Snowy Plover population in the project area, 2) locate plover nests, 3) determine nest success, 4) implement nest protection as appropriate (e.g. ropes and signs), 5) evaluate causes of nest failure and predator activity, and 6) estimate plover productivity.
We estimated the number of Snowy Plovers in the study area at 602 (539-669) individuals. We monitored 692 nests in 2025. Overall apparent nest success was 21%. Nest failures were attributed to unknown depredation, corvid depredation, unknown cause, unknown avian depredation, mammalian depredation, abandonment, harrier depredation, one egg nest, wind/weather, and overwashing. We estimated 188 fledglings were produced with a breeding coefficient of 0.10+/-0.07, indicating relatively poor productivity. We estimated 0.62 (0.56-0.70) fledglings per male.
Rights
This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44440
Citation Details
Lauten, David J.; Castelein, Kathleen A.; Lee, Mary; Burr, Jessica; McCamant, Marty R.; and Gaines, Eleanor P., "The Distribution and Reproductive Success of the Western Snowy Plover along the Central and Southern Oregon Coast - 2025" (2025). Institute for Natural Resources Publications. 180.
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44440