Piping Plovers

Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are small, stocky shorebirds, found on Kiawah Island beaches during the fall, winter and spring. Its distinguishing characteristics are yellow-orange legs; short, stubby black bill; and gray, sand-colored upperparts. During the breeding season, piping plovers are a little more striking, with a black band across the forehead, a black ring around the base of its neck, and an orange bill with a black tip.  (see picture to right).

Piping plovers typically arrive on Kiawah's beaches in August and will stay through April each year. The birds then migrate north to their breeding grounds, which extend along the coast of North Carolina to Newfoundland. Additionally there are local breeding populations inland across the Northern Great Plains and Great Lakes.  Plovers typically lay 4 eggs in a shallow depression on the beach near the dune line. Eggs hatch in 25 days and the young quickly learn to follow their parents in search of food. Chicks typically are capable of flight at about 30 days.

Piping plovers are currently protected under the Endangered Species Act. There are 4 separate breeding populations that may be found wintering on Kiawah Island. The Great Lakes breeding population is currently designated as endangered. The other 3 populations are listed as threatened. Portions of Kiawah Island were designated as critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Town of Kiawah Island has also designated a portion of the USFWS area as critical habitat.  Special restrictions are in place for these areas to prevent disturbance to these birds.  Signs are posted at the start of these restricted areas.