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In the Midwest, eggs begin to hatch from late May to mid- <br />June. The precocial chicks hatch within one half to:one day of <br />each other and are able to feed themselves within hours. <br />Brooding duties are shared by males and females,,although females <br />in Manitoba deserted broods as early as the first week after <br />hatch (Haig 1987a). Broods generally remain on nesting <br />territories but may expand their movements as they mature or are <br />disturbed. Fledging time varies from 21 days in Manitoba (Haig <br />and- -Oring 1988a) and North Dakota (Prindiville 1986) to 30 -35 <br />days on Long Island, New York (Wilcox 1959). In Minnesota, <br />breeding adults were observed departing the nesting grounds as <br />early as mid -July and the majority had left by early August <br />(Wiens 1986). Juveniles depart a few weeks later and have <br />largely disappeared by late August (Wiens 1986). Adult males in <br />Manitoba were observed to remain with broods until after fledging:.., <br />and were frequently seen moving into nonbreeding flocks with LL <br />their chicks (Haig 1987a). <br />Mating System: Piping Plovers exhibit a predominantly <br />monogamous mating system, although, mate - switching may occur <br />during the breeding season (Haig and Oring 1988a) and between <br />years (Wilcox 1959, Wiens 1986, Haig and Oring 1988a). <br />Apparently, mate - switching between years occurs regardless of <br />previous reproductive success (Wiens 1986, Haig and Oring 1988a). <br />In Manitoba, most former mates were present in nesting areas in <br />subsequent years, thus making it possible for pair bonds to <br />persist if birds chose to do so (Haig 1987a). <br />18 <br />