Piping Plover migration season has begun! (May 1 - June 30)

Photo by Matthew Sperrazza

It is again migratory shorebird season here in the Twin Ports! The St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) is monitoring the beaches on Wisconsin Point and Minnesota Point for the critically endangered shorebird, the Great Lakes Piping Plover. For more information on the Piping Plover visit https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/pipingplover/

The St. Louis River Alliance cautions the public to be aware of these vulnerable shorebirds when using local beaches during their nesting season. Loose dogs and human activity are the biggest deterrent to successful nests. On Minnesota Point, the public can help by avoiding the beach near the Airport, observing posted signs, leashing their dogs and cleaning up any garbage.

To aid in shorebird recovery and increase wildlife habitat, the Wisconsin DNR led a successful Piping Plover habitat restoration project within the existing Wildlife Refuge property that was completed in 2020. This project increased habitat and enhanced critical features that are needed for Piping Plovers to nest. In 2021 SLRA monitors observed a rare piping plover exploring the site and we are hopeful there will be more visits in the future!

The protected Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public from April 1 – August 24. The site closure is monitored and enforced by Wisconsin DNR and will help protect Piping Plovers and other migratory birds.

Partners and funding sources of the project include: City of Superior, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, St. Louis River Alliance, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, University Wisconsin Sea Grant, University Wisconsin Superior- Lake Superior Research Institute, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the Wisconsin DNR.