FATE OF THE SNOWY PLOVER HANGS IN THE BALANCE

 Clam Beach, CA- Today plans to conduct an experiment to protect local wildlife has been postponed. The snowy plover is a little bird that is known to nests at clam beach. However, there population is being threatened. Jim Watkins from the US Fish and Wildlife Service said, "This last year we only had 38 breeders and we only had 15 chicks that grew to a point where they were able to fly on there own."
 
It’s other birds that prey on the snowy plover eggs and chicks, making it difficult for their population to increase. Watkins said, "We have found through studies that the predation is primarily through corvids. Both ravens and crows."
 
Today, the US Fish and Wildlife Service presented the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors with a plan to poison the predatory birds. However, some of the board members remained skeptical. Supervisor Rex Bohn said, "After they eat this poison, they won't go away. The dead ravens, corvids everywhere."
 
Members of the board have given them till the first week of December to collect more data and present other solutions. Supervisor Mark Lovelace said, ”The question is whether we have exhausted all the other alternatives before looking at something such as poisoning."
 
Watkins says they have exhausted all other options. They have tried trapping the ravens and crows, but they just make their way back. He said, "Even though this is a step that is distasteful. We do believe its necessary."
 
The snowy plover is a threaten species and US Fish and Wildlife Service say they will do all they can to protect them.