P.E.I.'s piping plover population appears to be up

A preliminary analysis of surveys for piping plovers on P.E.I. done in June shows the population has increased this year.

The Island Nature Trust believes there are about 60 piping plovers on P.E.I., a significant increase over the 54 counted in 2015.

The piping plover has been designated as endangered or at risk of extinction by the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canadasince 1985.

The surveys are done annually, but 2016 is an international census year, which happens every five years.

The Island Nature Trust surveys all historic nesting sites in the province, about 70, for international census years.

Island Nature Trust was assisted this year by staff from P.E.I. National Park, P.E.I. Forests, Fish and Wildlife, and Five Star Shellfish with this year's survey, in addition to its own volunteers.

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