Hmmm...I think he needs a "special" falcon/fledge watcher badge!  Wondered where he was last Saturday.
Suzanne

I think that first pic (cam 1) was to show us that Rochester can be traffic free 

Yes, it seems to be working now...yeah!  I love how the adult calmly sits by the side of the nest, while the kids poke and preen!

This was posted in the Cape Cod Times today.  I deleted some sections so the post would not be so long, so if anyone wishes to read the entire article, go to the Cape Cod Times website. 

For those unfamiliar with the Piping Plover, they have the sweetest faces!   



ORLEANS — It's a banner summer for piping plovers on Cape beaches, but not so good for people who like to drive pickups, campers and SUVs to hang out on the same shores.

Looking ahead to the July Fourth weekend, just 1.6 miles of beach on Sandy Neck in Barnstable and slivers of beaches in the Cape Cod National Seashore and Orleans are likely to be open for off-road vehicles.

The annual closures are required by federal and state law to protect the endangered plovers. Beaches and parking lots are still open, however, for those who don't want to drive onto the beach.

And there was some good news yesterday for ORV owners unhappy about the complete closure of driving trails earlier this month in the Seashore, Nauset Beach in Orleans and Chapin Beach in Dennis.


The same bird-versus-human drama plays out every summer on Cape beaches. The closings frustrate those who plan vacations around the serenity and fishing available by driving out on the sand. Closures also frustrate towns selling beach permits and local businesses selling ice, gas and fishing equipment.


There were hopes this spring that early-arriving plovers would get their nesting and hatching completed before people arrived in force in July. But the early start seems only to have lengthened the plover season.

This year, program monitors are watching more than 250 pairs of plovers from Revere to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

In the National Seashore, 29 pairs of plovers are still sitting on eggs, while 50 other pairs have hatched 123 chicks, Hall said. So far, the number of plovers is level with last year's numbers, she said.

Fulcher said there's been a dramatic increase in plovers south of Nauset Beach, from five pairs last year to 11 pairs this year.

Oh, great!  I think it is Jemison sitting on top of the column there!  This is going to be a nerve-wracking fledge watch this year!!

Jeanne, I just checked again and I can't see it either.  Maybe more problems with the blog??

I somehow missed this thread before...love the pics of the clouds there!  awesome!!

Just saw an adult trying to coax the girls back into the box area

I just checked the cams and I can't believe where they are wandering.  As Joyce said...ledge watching!

That is wonderful news...I keep hoping for her!  Thank you for the update.

Jeanne,
Thanks for the post.  A video of that would have been wonderful!  The juvies are so curious and a joy to watch as they explore!

Great pics Lou!  I love your commentary, too!

Hey Carol, Looks like Jemison is kakking in the rain.  Very cute!

If it is raining in Rochester, as Carol mentioned, only one came into the box out of the rain.  Hmmm, who is it, I can't tell yet? 

School's out so now I have lots more time to watch...YEAH!!