Times of the Islands Winter 2020/21

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
Dellis, Stubbs and Fort George. Some of the most important
sites seemed relatively unchanged, but storm erosion
can be insidious and is not readily apparent. One of the
most important shorebird sites in the TCI are a handful of
very remote, tidally exposed sand flats and a tiny island
south of Middle Caicos. At this site there is only a single
small rocky area exposed during high tides and birds
tend to roost in this spot until neighboring sand flats are
exposed for feeding.
In the five years of surveys, the team has observed
approximately 80 bird species and approximately 13,000
individual shorebirds, providing DECR and local partners
much needed information to assist in managing the natural
resources of the Islands.
Conservation status
The Piping Plover is globally threatened or endangered,
depending on the breeding location, with fewer than
9,000 individuals in the world. In the US Great Lakes
region, it has been listed as “endangered” and it is considered
“threatened” in the remainder of its US breeding
range. In Canada, the Piping Plover is considered “endangered.”
In the Turks & Caicos Islands, this bird is listed as
“rare and endangered” (Wildlife and Biodiversity Protection
Bill). It is globally recognized as “near-threatened” by the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Over 30 banded Piping Plovers have been resighted, most banded at
breeding sites from Newfoundland to New Jersey.
Threats
Many anthropogenic activities can negatively affect Piping
Plover populations in wintering areas. Some of the main
threats include human disturbance, habitat loss and predation.
Human disturbance to roosting and feeding birds
can be caused by an excessive number of human activities
and certain types of recreational activities, such
This team of international researchers has observed 80 bird species and 13,000 shorebirds over the last five years in TCI.
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