Piping Plover Season

May 13, 2023

Northern Michigan’s unofficial bird is back and ready to make more of the adorable, stick-legged little avians. May 1 marked the beginning of the mating, incubating, and baby plover season, which means we humans have to be thoughtful about how we explore some of our favorite natural areas. These endangered little birdies are sensitive types and can abandon their nests if we—or our four-legged friends—cause too much of a disturbance to their habitat. The Little Traverse Conservancy recently announced Vermilion Point Preserve will be closed to pets until August 15 to help protect the eggs and fledgling plovers. Similarly, multiple trails and beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—where about half of the Great Lakes piping plover population makes their summer home—are a no-pet zone. (Get the full list at nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/pets.htm.) Fido can come with you for a car ride up the newly reopened Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, but he can’t explore everywhere!