Chicks at the Channel & near Grand Marais

Another of the chicks from the Channel nest has gone missing. As the chicks are now half-grown, it is assumed that predation was the cause. At this age, plover chicks are usually pretty safe from predators as they are larger, faster and more experienced, but until they have actually fledged they are still at risk. A new nest was found on Stevens Island near Grand Marais on Tuesday. One of the three eggs had already hatched so the other two should have hatched within the next 24 hours. Because of the island's isolated nature and because the eggs were already hatching, no protective fencing has been erected. Plover chicks are mobile within minutes of hatching so the fencing is of limited protection as both the adults and chicks regularly forage some distance from the nest.