Piping Plover - Great Lakes Population

Charadrius melodus

 

The piping plover is a small shorebird and its Great Lakes Population nests on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, then migrates to and winters along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts in the U.S. The Great Lakes population of piping plover is listed as "endangered" under the federal Endangered Species Act.

 

When listed, piping plovers nested only in Michigan and numbers were down to 15 pairs. An active recovery program in Michigan, aided by many volunteers, helped the plover population to steadily increase and expand its range. Piping plovers now also nest in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ontario, Canada; although in small numbers.

 

 

Piping plover critical habitat in Wisconsin

 

Information about piping plover critical habitat

 

Piping Plover Fact Sheet

 

Great Lakes Piping Plover Nesting Pairs 1981- 2011

 

More about the Great Lakes piping plover

 

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