numbers

Now that the chicks have fledged, here's a quick summary of the numbers:

Refuge beach: 19 pairs, 34 chicks fledged = 1.79 chicks per pair
Sandy Point: 7 pairs, 10 chicks fledged =  1.43 chicks per pair
Town beach: 1 pair, 1 chick fledged

I wish more of the press reporting on the piping plover would use the number of chicks per pair as the measure of success rather than just the number of nesting pairs. The fledge rate is a much better basis of comparison for the various protection strategies.

That said, 1.79 is good and I am thrilled. It's clear to me that keeping the beach closed until the chicks fledge is effective.