Little Ringed Plover breeding attempt: epilogue

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

The ill-fated breeding attempt by Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) on La Palma, described in my previous post, has had at least one positive spin-off...

Once it was clear that the shorebirds were about to breed, I alerted the island's Environmental Authorities to the critically low water-level in the pond. Only a tiny puddle remained, bordered by a patch of damp sand, and it seemed a good idea at the time to try and improve the conditions and  prevent the artificial habitat from drying up completely.

The authorities promptly responded by agreeing to send a tanker truck containing 6,000 litres of untreated water which was pumped into the irrigation pond two days later, on the morning of May 19, after obtaining permission from the owner. 

Unfortunately, by that time it was too late to save the brood of plovers, but a useful resource has been created for both resident and migratory species, until the water eventually evaporates. The Environmental Authorities might agree to topping up before summer, I was informed by an insider source.

The following images give an idea of the operation as it unfolded on May 19:

Water tanker (left) pumping water into the dried out irrigation pond.

View from the eastern end of the pond, as the pool gradually grows in size.

All 6,000 litres have now been pumped in.

The finished "wetland"...

My thanks to the Environmental Authorities for their efforts and expense.