Tucked beside a tiny, beautifully crafted plover decoy, two Western Snowy Plover hatchlings huddle close. Lovingly made by our Wildlife Center Manager Kelly Beffa, the decoy plays an important role in their early days, offering comfort and a sense of security. Once small enough to find reassurance beside their stand-in parent, the chicks now tower over it – a sweet sign of how quickly they grow under expert care.
These two, along with nine eggs, were recently rescued from a hazardous nesting site in Northern California, where drying mud had begun to crack and form deep fissures. Without intervention, the chicks would have been at risk of falling into the crevices and becoming trapped. Their story echoes last year’s success, when we raised and released 19 plovers from a similar situation.
As a federally threatened species, every chick contributes to the biodiversity and ultimate survival of the species. With thoughtful intervention and attentive care, we’re giving these birds a fighting chance at life in the wild.
You can help, too – symbolically adopt a plover and support the lifesaving care these vulnerable chicks need to thrive.