The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has released an update on the First State’s piping plover population.

Piping plovers, federally listed as threatened and considered endangered in Delaware, saw mixed results in 2025, according to DNREC. Officials report an increase in adult pair numbers, but acknowledged the beach-nesting birds faced continued nesting success challenges.

DNREC says a total of 30 nesting pairs were recorded in Delaware in 2025, up from 24 pairs in 2024. Pair counts have steadily increased since 2016 following the impacts of Hurricane Sandy, according to DNREC.

“We also saw breeding adults that had high success in 2024 returning to Delaware this spring, as well as some new birds, and some second and third year birds making their first

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