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Posted by Robin Diaz on 16:30:16 10/08/06
In Reply to: when is a good time to look for piping plovers? posted by Elsa
I agree with Toe: low tide is the best time to see the plovers on Crandon Beach, since they are feeding and interacting with other shorebirds, gulls and terns. The winter population of Piping Plovers is already building, with 23 birds. Look for colored and/or metal leg bands and make notes if you see any.
Weekdays are best to see the plovers -- park at the southern end of the parking area. Also on the sand flats at low tide: Wilson's, Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones and Willets. In addition to Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns, there are Sandwich Terns, Black Skimmers and Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls.
Here is one of several URL's for tide prediction. Use Government Cut or Bear Cut as reference:
http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi?site=Bear+Cut%2C+Virginia+Key&units=f
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