[cobirds] Piping Plover update--Sweetwater Lake CLOSED TO HUMAN ACCESS

Birders,

Effective July 15th, the southwest pool of Neesopah Reservoir (Kiowa County), colloquially known as Sweetwater Lake, is CLOSED TO ALL HUMAN ACCESS.

About three weeks ago, I posted a hopeful message to cobirds that, despite epic flooding that contributed to the demise of all Colorado Piping Plover nests at historic sites this year, a few pairs had relocated to an undisclosed playa lake in SE Colorado. I offered to show the birds to anyone that absolutely, positively, needed to see the birds, but highly suggested that birders wait until next year to see the birds. I hoped that this would be the end of human pressure on the birds this year. I was wrong.

Within the past week, birders "discovered" the hangout of the few pairs of plovers that are somehow still in Colorado despite flooding, hail, downpours, loss of habitat, and depredation by coyotes and snakes. The location was divulged to ebird, as were census numbers of all birds present. It is impossible that these counts took place without causing at least one nesting pair of Piping Plovers to be flushed from an unseen nest near the parking area, hidden by rank vegetation.

I have had to spend the greater part of the week trying to figure out how to protect three remaining nests or broods from what should never be a threat, impact by birders. Finally today, our management plan came together. I got permission from the Colorado Land Trust to close human access to their property at Sweetwater Lake. I also got assurances from the local District Wildlife Manager (DWM) for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in that district that he would conduct daily visits to make sure that no human activity would take place beyond the closure boundary. Of course, I will be in the area frequently, and I am law enforcements "best friend" when it comes to protecting Piping Plovers and Least Terns.

Now for a bit of good news in this impossible field season: One Piping Plover nest hatched three of four eggs, and, as of today, there are two eleven day old young. A second nest should hatch later this week. The third nest, if it survived disruptions to incubation, is due to hatch in nine days. A month ago, it seemed like there would be no successful nests, and that the nesting culture might be lost.

Because of the late initiation dates, Sweetwater will probably be closed through the first of September.

Sincerely,

Duane Nelson
Las Animas, Bent County CO