You know, normally I’d be super pissed right now that the first piping plover chicks hatched in New Jersey, hatched today at Island Beach State Park. Plover Park had two broods ahead of them. We should have been first, but our eggs just aren’t hatching.
But it don’t matter. It’s all good. Barnegat Light is still #1. Because the gorgeous queen who pulled off this outrageous upset was none other than Plover Park’s own Suga!
It sure hasn’t been easy. One of the few birds I’ll actually leave the Island to lend a hand to, I’ve made more than a few long drives, and even longer hikes, out to Island Beach whenever there is something I can do for Suga. Same goes for NJFW. Everyone goes the extra mile for this bird. She’s just that objectively precious and special.
And especially thank goodness for longtime Reader Teri Bowers who has been out there almost everyday, watching over her, for the last six years. This is surely your sweet, sweet victory too!
Now get out there and spook those ghost crabs and dodge those fox. Island Beach can be a hellhole!
Because you now owe me seven more years of sweet, sweet Suga for stealing the honor of first hatch from your true home, Plover Park!
I know you got this. And I know Teri & NJFW got your back.
And I’m happy for your victory. I mean, you had to be first at something, right? We did have the first eggs… just sayin’!
Say something kind