Physical and Social Determinants of Nest-Site Selection in Piping Plover in New Jersey

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Abstract
I examined nest-site selection and reproduction success in Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) over a 4-year period on four nesting beaches in New Jersey. Nest site characteristics varied among the four nesting locations with respect to distanct to dunes, water, nearest Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) nest, and percent shell cover. Compared with random points. Piping Plover nests were closer to dunes and vegetation, farther from water, closer to tern nests, farther from other Piping Plover nests, in spots with more shell cover. Reproductive success varied among colonies and years, but was generally higher at Brigantine than the other sites. Causes of nest failure included predation, human destruction, abandonment, and flooding. Plovers derived antipredator benefits from nesting near terns, and plover nesting in tern colonies often had higher success than those nesting outside of tern colonies.

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