The Magellanic Plover is one of the rarest species of shorebirds in the Americas, and perhaps even the world. This species which represents its own family Pluvianellidae, occurs only in southern Argentina and Chile. Binational surveys supported by Manomet and WHSRN Executive Office and carried out by Ambiente Sur and the Centro de Rehabilitación de Aves Leñadura (C.R.A.L.) between 2021 and 2023, showed the population to be fewer than 500 individuals.
These worrying results triggered a reassessment of the conservation status of the species at the global level. The status evaluation led by BirdLife International in 2023 resulted in uplisting the species from “Near Threatened” to “Vulnerable” based on the Magellanic Plover being both a naturally rare species and exhibiting an unstable population trend. The increased conservation concern of the species, combined with its very small population size, also triggered the development of a proposal by the governments of Argentina and Chile to move the species up from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS). On February 17, 2024, during the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species, the inclusion of Magellanic Plover in Appendix I was adopted.
Magellanic Plover. Photo: Arne Lesterhuis
Appendix I of the CMS comprises migratory species assessed as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range. Members of the CMS that acts as stopover site to a migratory species listed in CMS Appendix I endeavour to strictly protect them by the following measures: prohibiting the taking of such species, with very restricted scope for exceptions; conserving and – where appropriate – restoring their habitats; preventing, removing, or mitigating obstacles to their migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.
The success of raising the species conservation status at the international level is a great example of inter-institutional collaboration. Manomet has been supporting the work of Ambiente Sur and C.R.A.L., who lead conservation actions to recover the population of Magellanic Plover within the framework of the Pluvianellus Binational Project and in coordination with livestock owners in the work areas. Planned conservation actions for 2024-2025 will include a combination of nest protection, research and outreach, and engagement activities during the breeding and post-breeding season.
Left: Magellanic Plover at trampling protected nest. Right: Installation of trample protection in a nest. Photos: Ambiente Sur.
Nest protection is implemented through a combination of two strategies, one is nest enclosures that reduce sheep trampling and the use of all-terrain vehicles on the shores of lagoons, and the second is the training of “Plover Guardians”. The nest enclosures are based on a design from a province in the Netherlands (Friesland) where they have been used for many decades to protect nests of Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) from trampling by cattle. A pilot project in Argentina during the 2022-2023 breeding season was successful, and its use is now being extended to other breeding areas with sheep herds. Plover guardians, trained personnel who regularly check nests, have shown positive results in terms of nesting success. In the coming years, more of these guardians will be trained.
Activities will focus on key sites including Calafate, Río Gallegos, Río Grande, Punta Arenas, and Porvenir. Additionally, Ambiente Sur and C.R.A.L. will continue applying tracking devices to individuals to continue to map the species migration route that will enable us and our partners to identify key areas for conserving this unique and rare species.
Cover Photo: Magellanic Plover feeding its chick. Photo: Brad Winn.
