Image Details Plover Primetime: Issue #6 - HarrowWelcome to the sixth installment in our new interpretive series – Plover Primetime!May 1, 2025 Image DetailsWhether she’s Harrow the Ninth or Harrow the First   Harrow was banded in 2021 as an adult and given her name due to her rather dark and dreary band combination   Her namesake would appreciate the sentiment.  One of the things we check for when we are banding piping plovers is their age Birds grow their feathers at predictable ages and times of year and in a predictable order in a process referred to as “molt”   When we band a piping plover that has come back to nest for the very first time we can usually see little buff-colored tips on a patch of feathers behind their shoulder   Older birds would have white tips on the feathers in that patch   Harrow had fresh feathers with white tips instead of old feathers with buff-colored tips when she was banded so we can only say that she’s at least 5 years old now   The photo below illustrates what we see when we band an older adult   The feathers in the circle are a nice medium brown and still have bright white tips which wear down over time from sunlight and regular use there are old feathers to the right of the circle that are tan and abraded with little tipping left.  Image DetailsWe know that piping plovers become more skilled at raising young the older they are (seems obvious right?) and older female birds are worth their weight in gold we know they only weigh about 55 grams … how about they’re worth OUR weight in gold Harrow has successfully raised a respectable 4 chicks across three years   She was also our only female bird affixed with a radio transmitter (NanoTag) in 2024   Only time will tell if she and her prospective mate Fowler Beach is closed to public access to prevent disturbance to nesting birds and their young as well as migrating shorebirds like the red knot   Please obey all posted signage and avoid entering areas that are marked as closed so that vulnerable wildlife plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page PLOVER − Walmart is starting a renovation project at its Plover store that is expected to last through mid-summer Walmart’s director of corporate communications told a Stevens Point Journal reporter construction on the site at 250 Crossroads Drive in Plover started this month and the company is aiming to complete the renovation in July The store will be open throughout the entire process Walmart Plover recently posted an update on Facebook that construction has officially started brighter experience with a new assortment of merchandise The Plover building will also expand to better serve customers with pick-up and delivery options Walmart has been working through store renovations for several years transforming the brick-and-mortar stores into the “Store of the Future” model The company’s goal is to create a different type of shopping experience for customers bridging the gap between shopping in the store Rickel said the latest renovations typically involve new lighting and space enhancements with new brands shoppers will see a bedroom set on display to help visualize their space Various departments will also offer QR codes to engage with customers in the store A shopper could scan a QR code for an item that takes them to Walmart’s website and they could order online and have it shipped directly to their home “It’s all about elevating the in-store experience but giving you the ability to go online and ship directly to your home,” Rickel said More about Walmart's plans: Walmart stores to be remodeled in almost every state; 150 new locations coming in next 5 years According to a January 2024 post by John Furner, Walmart's president and CEO, on the company's website the company is working to build or convert more than 150 stores while continuing its program to remodel existing stores to reflect its "Store of the Future" model expanded product selections and innovative technology to help make shopping more enjoyable and convenient for shoppers the facilities will include more energy-efficient equipment and lighting lower impact refrigerants and more sustainable features For more information, visit corporate.walmart.com or find Walmart Plover on Facebook Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda Image Details Plover Primetime: Issue #5 - LokiWelcome to the fifth installment in our new interpretive series – Plover Primetime!Apr 29, 2025 Image DetailsHis name is Loki and he is burdened with glorious purpose!  banded in Ocean City in 2021 by our colleagues across the bay at New Jersey Fish & Wildlife   We know from banding that we sometimes trade birds between states and we are lucky to have Loki – though the NJ folks may not agree had a rough go and just couldn’t get it together   His young didn’t make it (it was maybe a little bit his fault) but we don’t judge our plovers by just one year   He redeemed himself in 2023 by fledging a chick at Fowler Beach with a new kid on the block and he really came into his own in 2024 when he fledged his entire brood of 4 chicks fledging all four of their chicks is no small feat – the goal for recovery of this species is 1.5 chicks per pair across five years especially in the southern portion of their range fledging less than one chick per pair is still common and we are looking forward to what he will do in 2025.  PLOVER − A village committee discussed this week whether fluoride should continue to be added to Plover's municipal water supply gave the Water and Wastewater Utility Committee an overview of the controversy surrounding fluoride in water during the committee's meeting Monday night The debate over the addition of fluoride to municipal water supplies and its benefits and dangers has been rising across the country A federal court in California last year ordered the U.S Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen regulations for fluoride in drinking water Saloun said Monday's meeting was not for making a decision but instead for beginning a discussion in the village More local news: Goerke Park plans could include aquatic center, inflatable dome, new synthetic turf field More local news: Here's what a zoning code rewrite would mean for Stevens Point property owners Saloun pointed out some of the advantages of fluoride in drinking water such as it reduces cavities saves money in the dentist office and promotes public health including that adding medication to the water supply without consent can be considered unethical and sharing that it can be difficult to control exposure when water mouthwashes and other items already contain fluoride The village of Plover adds hydrofluorosilicic acid to its water system Fluoride-attributed equipment sampling costs about $55,000 annually It creates a hazardous environment for employees and they must wear protective clothing and gear when they are working with it The precautions they take are similar to those necessary when working with chlorine which is also added to the municipal water supply but is necessary for water treatment The purpose of putting fluoride in the water is for oral treatment The hydrofluorosilicic acid also causes damage to other structures in the building where it is stored The village currently stores the fluoride and chlorine in the same room which is something the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources no longer allows and the village may have to spend money to correct it in the future Two retired dentists who attended Monday's meeting talked about the benefits of fluoride in the water to residents especially children in low-income families When the men began asking questions of Saloun Village Administrator Steve Kunst stopped them The issue was on the agenda was to begin a discussion and not for debate Committee Chairman Gary Wolf said he got five messages about the fluoride issue Monday prior to the meeting He said the final call came from his dentist who encouraged Wolf to continue adding fluoride to village water Committee member Adam Raabe said many of the people in the country who are most knowledgeable about fluoride in the water like the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still say fluoride in municipal water supplies is valuable He said because of that he could see no reason to change the village's policy Raabe said officials could survey village residents to see how much support there is for stopping the addition of fluoride to the municipal water supply prior to moving forward with anything Contact Karen Madden at kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33 Image DetailsI’m going to get a piping plover  For real – they’re protected by a whole bunch of bird laws like the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act because folks like you want to keep them around  It’s my job to keep piping plovers like Little Miss Sunshine safe and happy so they can raise lots of little plover kids and help their species recover.  Sunshine came to Fowler Beach after being a regular nester at the Point of Cape Henlopen State Park for several years  She had a bit of a mix up last year when some of her chicks were taken by a red fox and the remaining chick was adopted by a different set of plover parents  She must have feared the worst and decided to skedaddle she found a new beau who was ready to open his heart again – Nomad Piping plovers typically lay four eggs per nest  Sometimes plover pairs that lose their nests will try again  Because eggs are so costly for plovers to produce renests will often have fewer than four eggs  Sunshine only ever lays three eggs per nest – even when it’s her first nest of the season Sometimes birds do things that even we scientists can’t explain  We are looking forward to seeing if this observation holds true for another year  Please obey all posted signage and avoid entering areas that are marked as closed so that vulnerable wildlife Visitors should be mindful of threatened birds and their sensitive habitats Contact:Amy PalkovicMonterey DistrictSenior Environmental Scientist (831) 760-7108 MONTEREY BAY — California State Parks is asking the public to help protect the threatened western snowy plover when they visit Monterey Bay parks and beaches this spring and summer the start of an important conservation effort Breeding season begins in March for these vulnerable shorebirds State Parks is asking visitors to help protect these small threatened birds that nest on our beaches and their sensitive habitats to help ensure their survival by following simple guidelines The western snowy plover breeding season runs from March 1 through September 30 during which these small shorebirds create nests and lay eggs along the sandy beaches of Monterey Bay Listed as “threatened” under the Federal Endangered Species Act snowy plovers are particularly vulnerable to human disturbances as they nest on the ground and rely on their camouflage to protect themselves and their young Because of their incredible efforts to blend in and even the adult birds can be overlooked by beachgoers making it essential for visitors to be mindful and respectful of these delicate areas State Parks environmental scientists install post-and-cable fencing to designate protected areas for breeding snowy plovers and safeguard the fragile dune ecosystem The department asks that visitors kindly respect these closed areas to help preserve this vital habitat Basic rules to help protect the sensitive beach and dune ecosystems of Monterey Bay include: Learn more about the western snowy plover here: https://ca.audubon.org/westernsnowyplover State Parks encourages all visitors to enjoy the beaches while respecting the plants and wildlife that call them home Thank you for your efforts in helping to protect and preserve the beautiful beaches of Monterey Bay.  Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at NewsRoom@parks.ca.gov California State Parks provides for the health inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation Sign up to receive the latest State Parks news directly to your email Have a question? Use the Contact Us Page. © Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that its shorebird team is monitoring Sanibel’s first two snowy plover nests of the year a male known as White/Blue who was banded as an adult on Sanibel in 2019 and has nested every year on the island since,” shorebird technician Sami Hinsz said “The other nest belongs to an unbanded pair.” Last year was the first year in the snowy plover program’s history that no chicks were fledged “We’re hoping this year proves to be more successful we are checking nests on a daily basis,” she said “Both nests are roped off to protect these state-threatened birds.” Shorebird nesting season on Sanibel begins in February and can continue through August For information about bird-friendly beach behaviors, visit https://sccf.org/sharing-the-shore/ To reach SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, please email Copyright © SANIBEL-CAPTIVA - Island Reporter, Islander and Current | Contact | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Mountain Plovers are a celebrated bird species in parts of Colorado Mountain Plovers nest on Colorado’s eastern plains and are sometimes referred to as the “prairie ghost” because their sandy-colored plumage makes them hard to spot The annual Mountain Plover Festival in Karval – which begins this Friday – celebrates this bird The festival draws hundreds of visitors each year and owes much of its success to support from local ranchers who have gotten involved in preserving Mountain Plover habitat Angela Dwyer is a manager for the stewardship program of the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. She joined Erin O’Toole to talk about the ranchers the festival and the plovers — including why this prairie-loving bird has “mountain” in its name The sound of Mountain Plovers used in this episode can be found in the Cornel Lab of Ornithology Macaulay Library Sophia is your community news reporter covering the North Coast of San Luis Obispo County Fencing has gone up at Morro Strand State Beach to keep people off certain parts of the beach during the western snowy plover nesting season Crossing the fence line could lead to potential citations Western snowy plovers have been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1993 and I do know that you're not supposed to let your dog go past the fence Just please keep your dog on a leash and away from the snowy plovers,” said Daniel Nicholas While dogs are allowed at the Morro Bay dog beach they’re not allowed on the Morro Strand State Beach side the sight of dogs can often scare adult plovers If you or your dog is caught past the fencing there were around 1,000 reports of people going inside the fencing at the Sandspit in Montaña de Oro Nesting season typically runs through September Image Details Prime Hook NWR's Piping Plovers“If you build it, they will come.”Apr 2, 2025 Written By Image Erin Betancourt Picture this…    it’s the spring of 2016 and you are a tiny sand colored bird traveling along the Atlantic coast.   You’re searching for the perfect stretch of beach that has everything you need to not only survive but thrive…    wide stretches of sand and little disturbance.   You find the newly restored Fowler Beach at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and eureka! Home sweet home We are celebrating 10 years since threatened piping plovers found a literal “field of dreams” at Prime Hook and to commemorate this momentous occasion we are running a new digital interpretive series Plover Primetime.   In this series we will introduce our plovers and show you a little bit of what they get up to out at Fowler Beach all summer   We’ve been closing the beach every year from March 1st to September 30th so that these little guys can have some peace   We hope this window into their lives will give everyone a better understanding of these rare and vulnerable little birds and why we do what we do for them.  Plover Primetime ISSUE 1. - Sriracha PLOVER PRIMETIME ISSUE 2. - GREY POUPON Plover Primetime Issue 3. - Nomad plover primetime issue 4. - Little Miss Sunshine plover primetime issue 5. - loki plover primetime issue 6. - Harrow Times are tough for Snowy Plovers on the Gulf of Mexico Development encroaches from the other side of the beaches where they breed Beachgoers and their unleashed dogs flush parents from roosts leaving eggs vulnerable to predators and the baking heat we should all have some sort of alarm bell going off.” Alabama Audubon staff and local volunteers are working to help Snowy Plovers produce more young and grow their numbers across the state’s 53 miles of Gulf Coast What began in 2017 as an effort to measure and monitor the population has evolved into a more hands-on program to protect nesting plovers from predators and the public The results have been promising: Over the past two breeding seasons 18 Snowy Plover chicks fledged—a major turnaround after five years of almost no chick survival “I’m so excited that in the past two years we’ve had a record number of snowy fledglings on Dauphin Island,” Koczur says many of which nest on saline lakes in Utah and Oklahoma the Snowy Plovers of the Gulf Coast remain year-round They are known to wander far along the shore looking for suitable habitat and their own slice of beach with males scratching a handful of isolated hollows into the sand and females choosing one to nest in Both parents dutifully protect two to three black-speckled eggs for about a month the vulnerable puffballs must survive for another month or so before they’re able to take to the skies and seek out their own beachfront territory to live and nest Small and inconspicuous in white-gray plumage set against pale beaches “A lot of times when you’re looking for them on surveys all you’ll see are their little heads peeking up over the sand footprints,” says Olivia Morpeth “I think so much of the issue is that people don’t even realize these birds are out here.” For decades, scientists didn’t know how many Snowies lived in the area. According to Koczur, no comprehensive effort had been made to track shorebird populations prior to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 The region’s ecosystems often didn’t receive the attention they deserved Gulf Coast restoration director of National Audubon Society Perspectives shifted in the wake of that disaster Deepwater Horizon restoration coordinator for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) I can’t tell you how many of the coastal mayors said we realized that our environment and our economy on the Gulf Coast are pretty inextricably linked,” she says “That includes not just tourism—people coming to the beach—but it also includes birdwatching.” As scientists tried to quantify bird losses resulting from the spill, their knowledge gaps about the region’s shorebirds became apparent. After the five Gulf states and the federal government reached settlements with BP in 2017 over the disaster, coastal bird stewardship programs from Florida to Texas secured funding to fill in those blanks. Among them was the Alabama Coastal Bird Stewardship Program which encompasses several other species—Least Terns and Reddish Egrets among them—received settlement funds through the Alabama Trustee Implementation Group (The National Audubon Society also supports the work with funding from the ADCNR.) As those efforts amassed more data Snowy Plovers and other shorebirds stood out as suffering some of the steepest population declines the team began complementing its monitoring of Alabama Snowy Plovers with a concerted effort to educate the public about the need to give the birds space then how are they going to care?” says Cortney Weatherby who began leading that charge in 2021 as Alabama Audubon’s coastal outreach manager people have not directly caused plover losses in Alabama recently 65 percent of known Snowy Plover egg failures were due to natural predators like foxes and coyotes Development along the coast increases the toll those animals take “The less natural habitat that those predators have for finding food pushes them to these other habitats where they might not normally look,” she says Trash left behind by visitors can also attract more mammals to the beach than usual To counter the predator threat, the team decided to go on the defense. Taking a cue from Audubon’s coastal stewardship program in Louisiana in 2023 and 2024 the Alabama Audubon team installed fencing around 11 Snowy Plover nests on Dauphin Island where predators have been a particular issue The four-foot-tall barriers deter peckish visitors from reaching eggs but have large enough grate openings for adult Snowy Plovers to come and go freely On a stretch of coast where the fledging rate had been near zero now about one plover was fledging for every two nesting pairs—not ideal The team is considering expanding its fencing efforts to more sites on Dauphin Island and to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge the state’s other hotspot for nesting Snowy Plovers Yet this is more a bandage than a sustainable solution; fencing isn’t feasible for every nesting site and takes a lot of manual labor to set up and maintain throughout the season “Coastal bird stewardship is never going to be a finished product,” Fox says “The birds are always going to struggle for that space on the beach to nest.” In February Morpeth and a volunteer had already spotted two Snowy Plover fledglings that the Alabama Audubon team banded last year It’s the first time banded fledglings have returned to Alabama beaches since the program started eight years ago and the team is watching to see if these Snowies will try to rear another generation here The promise of two new plovers might not seem like much Pledge to stand with Audubon to call on elected officials to listen to science and work towards climate solutions Bookended by ocean on one side and grassy dunes on the other its sandy expanse provides a habitat for many organisms that rely on the rich ecosystem between land and sea The western snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) is one species that finds refuge in the sand Snowy plovers are nervous creatures that rely on the beach’s width and undisturbed nature Plovers are low on the food chain and need a 360° view of the world around them to watch for predators that might snatch an egg or a whole bird at a moment’s notice During their March-September breeding season Point Reyes plovers lay their eggs directly in depressions that they create on the sand of beaches like Limantour or North Beach Their brown backs camouflage them from above and other beach debris to help their nests blend in but it’s worth it for them to have the best view possible Dunes covered in native grasses are their friend too plovers can lay their eggs in and around American beachgrass American beachgrass is sparse and low enough that plovers can find refuge in its strands while maintaining their vigilance against predators The health and fate of Point Reyes’ snowy plovers are so closely tied to the health of the dunes and beach that they are what is known as an indicator species Their health “indicates” the health of the ecosystem If the beach is disturbed – whether by human influence or a shift in natural conditions – the plovers’ population numbers will likely reflect the change Snowy plovers are already classified as federally threatened meaning that current conditions could result in endangerment status down the line making the potential impact of beach disturbances even greater Point Reyes wildlife biologists have been monitoring the plovers since the 1980s to learn how to protect these small birds and track changes in the surrounding beach habitat Understanding the birds’ population shifts can help scientists pinpoint issues in the ecosystem Resolving those issues then helps the plovers stay alive and healthy which also helps other native plants and animals that live alongside them The ecosystem at the beach hangs in balance supporting many different creatures and maintaining a natural ebb and flow of wildlife that echoes that of the tides human activity and development have degraded the pristine and biologists have seen those impacts through the eyes of the snowy plovers plovers have already lost acres of otherwise useful nesting area The American beachgrass and other native dune plants that plovers prefer for nest building are being outcompeted by invasive European beachgrass This species’ density and height make it unfriendly and bad for nesting Tufts of European beachgrass blanket the dunes on Limantour Beach This grass not only drives plovers off of the dunes but also provides cover for new predators These animals are known plover- or egg-snatchers and their newfound proximity puts the birds and their eggs at risk plovers could safely nest both on the open beach and on the dunes But now that the dunes aren’t safe for them they have to rely solely on the beach space for their nests Meanwhile, on the other side of the beach, the ocean is rising. Climate change has already caused nine inches of sea level rise, and it could rise as much as six more feet by the year 2100 the plovers could possibly adapt by moving into the dunes but the incursion of European beachgrass prevents them from seeking refuge from the impacts of climate change A plover on Limantour Beach in 1890 would’ve darted happily between ocean spray and dunes covered in American beachgrass A 2022 plover may not have access to Limantour’s dunes but still has plenty of beach space to use Caught between invasive plants and the rising sea these small and delicate birds will have few options left And since their health is so closely tied to that of their environment climate change and invasive plant disturbances will have major effects on their populations While there is little that park biologists can do to fight sea level rise or alter climate change Monitoring biologists saw the effects of this through the lens of the plovers whose population numbers declined as a result the National Park Service sponsored a dune restoration project at Abbotts in 2011 Vegetation crews went out with bulldozers and shovels to remove acres of invasive plants Their efforts paid off: by the time the project was finished tens of thousands of new Tidestrom’s lupine plants had sprouted in the cleared areas and monitors saw snowy plovers return to nesting on the dunes Other species of native plants and wildlife also benefited from the restored area Restoration projects like these ease the impact of climate change on plovers by allowing them space to move inland as sea levels rise but the beach area remains big enough to support their small population they will need all the sand they can get in order to survive Read more about the San Francisco Bay Area Inventory and Monitoring Network’s plover monitoring program, and about the 2011 dune restoration project at Abbotts Lagoon Practice leave no trace while in nature and do your part to leave the plovers undisturbed Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities to help out in restoration projects removing invasive plants from dunes Get involved in community science! Look for snowy plovers with identification bands on their legs and report your sightings to scientists Volunteer as a Snowy Plover Docent to spread awareness about plovers Thank you to Wildlife Biologist Matt Lau for providing information for this article See more from the Bay Area Nature & Science Blog Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go. Beach season in New England may still be several months away sandy-colored shorebirds return to Massachusetts to nest in the dunes of the state's beaches between late March and early April to breed It's a sign of the season much anticipated by local birders. In fact, nowhere else on the Atlantic coast hosts as many plovers as we do State estimates put the population at nearly 1,200 pairs of piping plovers Longtime locals may recall a time not so long ago where this shorebird was endangered in Massachusetts Piping plovers are still considered threatened on the state and federal level but their current population numbers are nearly 10 times that of what they used to be in the 1980s That's thanks to efforts by not only conservationists and wildlife biologists the director of the coastal waterbird program at Mass Audubon In anticipation of the piping plovers' seasonal arrival I recently spoke with Brennan about what makes these plucky little shorebirds so popular with locals and how you can help the piping plovers thrive on the beach Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity Hanna Ali: How did the piping plover win so many locals' hearts Lyra Brennan: "They're really charismatic species And we also get to see them when we're in a place that a lot of us love They look like cotton balls on toothpicks that are running around constantly." (Anastasia Grigorenko/Mass Audubon)HA: Like you said piping plovers can be spotted along Massachusetts beaches in the summer Most of the birds that are breeding in Massachusetts during the spring and summer head to the Bahamas for the winter HA: Why do these little birds seem to cling to the coastline And Massachusetts has a huge amount of coastline "A question we get a lot is ‘Why don't they go someplace where it's just less crowded?’ They can’t They’ve evolved to live in these coastal areas and they thrive there "Another thing: When we see piping plovers it means that we have a healthy beach ecosystem It means that there's lots of invertebrates which is what they're pulling out of the sand to eat It means it's a place where there's wildlife so they're really a part of that healthy beach ecosystem." Field Guide to Boston: Discover — and rediscover — your Boston. HA: What risks do they face by nesting on the beach LB: "These birds face an unbelievable amount of risks on the beach pose a serious threat to piping plover adults even really well-behaved great dogs can accidentally scare piping plovers into abandoning their nests or accidentally injure or kill a piping plover high tides and high winds can also wash out the nest "So it's not an easy life out on the beach But piping plovers are some of the most determined parents you're gonna find in the animal kingdom." (Jason Goldstein/Mass Audubon)HA: They were largely endangered in Massachusetts for a while What have biologists and conservationists done to bring the piping plovers’ population numbers back up "Once it was evident that piping plovers needed more help 'We need to actually regulate driving in some places,' because vehicles are running over birds we can create a place where these birds can really thrive." HA: Would you say that the species’ “determination” also helped them bounce back These are tiny little birds that will face off a large predator just to try and protect their eggs and chicks which is a strategy to lead predators away from their nest and from their young even six times to re-lay a nest and incubate it again for almost a month to raise those chicks And so it's inspiring to all of us doing the [conservation] work because they're giving it their all A sign on Nauset Beach informs visitors of the presence of nesting plovers (Jesse Costa/WBUR)HA: What can locals do to help the conservation efforts for these birds LB: "It is quite simple, really: Pay attention to the rules of whatever beach you’re going to, [like] the dog dates and rules for carrying in and carrying out trash The reason that signage is there is to make sure that the birds can thrive They're just here for a couple months and it's an intense time period For folks who are really jazzed and wanna take awesome photos The goal is that these birds can engage in their natural behaviors and not be interrupted Following whatever the town or the local beach is asking you to do is a sure way to support the plovers." P.S. — Before you start planning a piping plover-peeping trip, check out our guide to day trips in Massachusetts. It's got recommendations for fun things to do (and tasty food to eat) from the North Shore to Cape Cod after you've finished bird watching. Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the time frame when talking about current population numbers of plovers compared to now. We regret the error. Hanna Ali Associate ProducerHanna Ali is an associate producer for newsletters at WBUR a small shorebird species that is both state and federally threatened The Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership — a collaboration of Nebraska Game and Parks Fish and Wildlife Service — has tracked more than 800 piping plovers over the years but Plover 274 stands out for several reasons.Our record of her began in May 2013 when she was given colored plastic leg bands that allowed us to uniquely identify her Plover 274 has hatched at least five nests both on sandbars and at sand and gravel mines along the lower Platte River in Sarpy she was back for the first time at the sand and gravel mine where she was banded 11 years prior.It was quite a summer for Plover 274 she was incubating her nest on the sand when big thunderhead clouds rolled in and brought golf-ball sized hail and 6 inches of rain in an hour Contractors at the sand and gravel mine where she was nesting were amazed that a small bird could protect her nest in a storm that cracked windshields They fondly called her “Hail Mary” after that She successfully hatched her eggs a week later and at the end of July Plover 274 was ready for her next adventure — winter break on a Miami beach.While Plover 274 became famous in her summer home this year She has spent every winter for the last 12 years at the same beach on a barrier island off the coast of Florida where birdwatchers recognize her distinct leg band color combination Reports of Plover 274 on the beach let us know she has made it another day which is quite an accomplishment.Beyond surviving thunderstorms and attracting many admirers there’s something else special about Plover 274 — she is at least 13 years old which is more than double the average lifespan of a piping plover I hope to see her back in Nebraska to raise yet another brood of chicks and help boost the recovery of her species Nebraskaland Magazine highlights the wildlife Image Details Plover Primetime: Issue #2 - Grey PouponWelcome to the second installment in our new interpretive series – Plover Primetime!Apr 9, 2025 Image Details“Pardon me If you answered this question with “Grey Poupon,” you might be a gen x’er or elder millenial and you’ll definitely love our plover of the same name!   Grey Poupon was given her colorful bands in 2022 after pairing up with a bird named Miracle Whip  She fledged just one chick that year  In 2024 we didn’t see Miracle Whip again – he likely passed away over the winter or on migration.   But can you guess by her condiment inspired name who she might have paired up with (and fledged another chick with) instead?  (hint: he’s pretty spicy).  We typically see male plovers return to the breeding grounds first to set up their territories but Grey Poupon wasn’t interested in waiting for that   As one of the first birds here this spring she shopped around a little bit – letting some of the other early arrivals court her before settling back into her spot from last year none of the offerings were interesting enough to dissuade her from her favorite spot   Piping plovers have extremely high site fidelity a term used to describe their propensity for returning to the same spots year after year   That’s true for nesting territories AND on the wintering grounds   Sometimes they’ll lay their eggs within feet (or inches!) of their nest cups from previous years Piping plovers reform the pair bond anew each year so it’s really neat to see their site fidelity in practice   A lot of the pairs at Fowler stay the same from year to year – like Sriracha and Grey Poupon Image DetailsFrom March 1 to September 30 All birds were captured and handled by trained individuals with the required state and federal permits.  PLOVER – A women’s clothing store will close in Plover Daily Thread posted Wednesday the store will close its Plover location in Crossroads Commons permanently in March “We want to thank you for your loyalty and support over the last three years,” the post said adding the store will offer final sales and discounts before its last day the store closing sale will offer 70% off items throughout the entire store The retail store offering clothes for women opened May 6 Christopher & Banks had previously operated in the space the company’s senior vice president of stores told the Stevens Point Journal Plover was a good fit for the store because there was a void in the community for women to shop for a variety of body sizes in a fun For more information, visit shopdailythread.com Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWAUSAU (WSAW) - Craft and fabric store Joann will close more than half of its 800 stores in the coming months as it continues to navigate the bankruptcy process shows the Plover and Marshfield locations are the list However the location in Rib Mountain will stay open Approximately 500 stores across the United States are closing saying that “right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward.” Joann joins a growing list of struggling brick-and-mortar stores that are unable to stay financially viable in a changing consumer environment Many Americans have dialed back discretionary purchases in response to inflation An exact date for the closures has not yet been release PLOVER – A new “world-class” pickleball facility will be built in Plover Sentry Insurance Foundation donated $500,000 Thursday to the village of Plover and the Heart of Wisconsin Pickleball Association and announced plans to open a new pickleball facility The Sentry Pickleball Complex will open at Lake Pacawa Park this summer The designs are focused on inclusivity and accessibility and will include 12 fully wheelchair accessible lighted courts for players of all ages and abilities The playing area will be 35,568 square feet with ample space between court lines and fences The design also addresses weather concerns including wind direction flags on fences and windscreens for spectators The complex will include a shade structure a board member and co-chair of HOWPA’s fundraising committee said the vision was bigger than a collection of courts aiming to create a community hub where people could connect and grow through the sport “The Sentry Pickleball Complex will not only host tournaments but inspire a new generation of players and build lasting connections within our community,” Johnson said “We’re proud to see this dream come to life.” HOWPA and Sentry Insurance announced plans for the facility Feb Members of HOWPA and local businesses like Mullins Whey the Plover Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and others assisted with donations toward the effort at Lake Pacawa Park SentryWorld and HOWPA have been pickleball partners hosting events like the upcoming Frozen Pickle Feb 22-23 and a state wheelchair pickleball exhibition and tournament this spring Creating the new Sentry Pickleball Complex will build on that existing partnership said the company was impressed with the vision and passion behind plans for the pickleball complex adding the project aligns perfectly with Sentry’s focus on improving quality of life where their associates “Pickleball is a sport that connects people − grandparents with grandchildren even work colleagues − and supporting a world-class facility that fosters those connections is something we’re proud to be part of,” McPartland said said the Sentry Pickleball Complex will be a great addition to Lake Pacawa Park and will be a great asset to the community “This project has been years in the making and is a testament to the dedication of HOWPA members and the village of Plover,” Kunst said According to a November 2024 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America growing 223.5% over the last three years across all age groups The report said the 25-34 age range has the most participants at 2.3 million people Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda Image Details July's Bird of the Month - Piping PloverA beautiful bird with its own necklaceJul 10, 2024 Written By Image Elsie Davis The piping plover is an adorable small shorebird that charms anyone who spots its tiny sand-colored form scurrying along the beach expressive eyes and a distinctive black band across its forehead this little bird seems almost whimsical as it dances near the water's edge With its light-colored plumage that blends seamlessly with its coastal habitat the piping plover faces numerous challenges As conservationists strive to protect and restore its breeding grounds the piping plover's story underscores the delicate balance between wildlife and human activity in fragile ecosystems Image DetailsDescriptionThe piping plover is a sparrow-sized sandy color blends in with the coastal sandy and gravel beaches where it feeds and nests Piping plovers have a black necklace across their chest and a black stripe across their forehead. The bird’s underparts are white and it has orange legs and an orange bill with a black tip There are three populations of piping plover subspecies in North America One population is found on the shorelines of the Great Lakes. Another population exists along the rivers and lakes in the Northern Great Plains The third subspecies occurs along the Atlantic Coast All three subspecies migrate south to winter on the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts the Atlantic Coast and Northern Great Plains populations were listed as threatened and the population in the Great Lakes watershed was listed as endangered The piping plover’s lifespan extends for five or six years plovers use a foot trembling dance: Running in short the plover stops and extends one foot to rapidly pat the sand The resulting vibrations are thought to bring their prey to the surface. They forage alone or in small groups These birds on nest on open sandy or gravel beaches and alkaline flats; and they winter on beaches and mudflats Image DetailsAn adult piping plover stands with three small chicks nearby.Where can you find piping plovers?If you’re hoping to add the piping plover to your birdwatching life list a trip to National Wildlife Refuge is in order These birds have been observed at the following National Wildlife Refuges:  we invite you to submit your photos of piping plovers in a photo contest.  and the location where the photo was taken we will have no way of contacting you if you win.** Submissions will be judged by a panel of U.S they will be contacted via email and asked to sign a photo release form This form protects the photographer's rights Fish and Wildlife Service permission to share the photo on our social media channels Please monitor your junk/spam folders towards the end of the month in the event that we reach out and our email lands there The winner will be announced publicly near the end of each month on our Southeast Regional Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) platforms.  A photo contest will occur each month for each featured bird species all twelve winning photographs will be shared on our regional social media accounts Submit your original photos of piping plovers here! Image DetailsA piping plover forages for food.Fun Facts About MudflatsMudflats feed migratory shorebirds What are mudflats: Mudflats or tidal flats form when silt or tributaries and are deposited and settle into bays and lagoons when the tide comes in Mudflats are constantly flooded at high tides or exposed during low tides.  Nature’s restaurant:  Southward migrating shorebirds dig into the mudflats with their bills to feast on mussels Earth’s kidneys: Mudflats filter and absorb sediment and pollutants from the surrounding land and water Rotten eggs and Quicksand:  Although they provide a smorgasbord for shorebirds The lower layers are composed of decaying invertebrates and bacteria that release a hydrogen sulfide gas Mudflats are also dangerous to walk on. The silt or mud that settles into mudflats also contains trapped water which gels into quicksand when walked on. Mudflats also flood at high tide PLOVER − Three people were seriously injured following a one-vehicle crash Thursday morning on State 54 in Portage County a 911 caller reported a pick-up truck had left the road and crashed into a tree about two-tenths of a mile west of Coolidge Avenue in the town of Plover according to the Portage County Sheriff's Office an adult female passenger and a 6-year-old female passenger suffered severe injuries and were transported to local medical facilities for treatment An initial investigation found the pick-up truck had been traveling west on State 54 when it lost control The road was covered in snow and ice and was slippery at the time of the crash The investigation into the crash is ongoing Stevens Point Fire Department and Plover Police Department all responded to the scene Best fish fries in Stevens Point: Club Forest carries on 'Wisconsin fish fry' tradition Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com Theodore Roosevelt Audubon Center (Online Event) Threatened and endangered shorebirds are returning to nest on Long Island's shores Theodore Roosevelt Audubon Center (Oyster Bay Do you love native plants and organic gardening Please join Joy in the gardens on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 Join the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society to discuss the threats window strikes pose to birds Join the TCA program to finish on our center education project Learn about the Theodore Roosevelt Historical Augmented Reality System we have at the center Join us for a community walk hat will explore the connections between health and the importance of access to clean outdoo You play an important role in our mission to protect birds & the habitats they need to survive Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts Sign-up today to receive our monthly e-newsletter and important action alerts Find the closest Audubon Center or Chapter in your area.  Get the latest news and updates about our programs and initiatives delivered straight to your inbox Warmer temperatures mean road construction season in Wisconsin is approaching Drivers will face detours and delays resulting from road construction projects throughout the spring summer and fall in Stevens Point and Portage County Here’s a list of current and upcoming projects to consider in your travel plans and what local drivers can expect to encounter Interstate 39: About 11 miles of interstate highway between State 34 near Knowlton and Fox Glove Road near Rib Mountain will be milled and resurfaced in a project expected to begin April 7 and be completed by Aug Wisconsin Department of Transportation regional communications manager The highway will remain open to traffic throughout the project but lane closures are likely to cause delays for travelers Ramps and overpass roadways also receiving resurfacing work include the southbound entrance and exit ramps at State 34 State 153 and Business 51 and all four ramps and the overpass at Maple Ridge Road State 66: About 6 miles of roadway between the Stevens Point Airport and the east junction of Portage County J will be repaved and two bridge decks will be replaced in a project expected to occur during the 2025 road construction season The roadway will remain open to traffic during the project by using flagging operations The Torun Road intersection will be closed for several weeks during the project Temporary traffic signals will be installed to maintain one lane of traffic over the Plover River while the bridge work is being completed Stevens PointWashington Avenue: About six blocks of Washington Avenue and six more blocks of intersecting streets plus two alleys will be reconstructed in a project beginning in May and expected to be completed by November Two blocks each of both Grant and Frederick streets north of Washington and two blocks of West Street one north and one south of Washington Avenue The two included alleys are parallel on both sides of Washington Avenue and west of Forest Street Second Avenue will be detoured for “a couple of weeks” during the project to complete utility tie ins gutters and underground utilities will all be replaced as a result of the work Madison and Monroe streets: About four blocks of Madison Street and six block of intersecting streets east of Church Street will be reconstructed in a project beginning in May and expected to be completed by November East Avenue and Reserve Street north of Monroe Street are also included in the project Country Club Drive: About 1,900 feet of Country Club Drive located in the town of Hull roughly between Carols Lane and Main Street will be reoriented and resurfaced in a project expected to begin by late August according to the town of Hull’s spring newsletter A multi-purpose path will also be constructed alongside the roadway as part of the project Work is expected to take about four weeks to complete and Interstate 39 will likely be the detour Hoover Avenue intersections: Traffic signals will be added to the intersections of Hoover Avenue and Industrial Park Road and Coye Drive in a project likely to begin in late summer and expected to be completed by early fall The exact timing of the project depends on the delivery of the new signal equipment Several lane closures will be needed to complete the installation but the road will remain open to traffic throughout the project More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Stevens Point Journal app Portage County B (Wisconsin Avenue to Interstate 39): This project is the final stage of a pavement replacement and reconstruction project that caused significant disruption to traffic patterns in 2024 Remaining work includes final paving of the multi-use path concrete repairs and adjustments to lighting along the corridor Drivers will encounter single lane closures and flagging operations in each direction through the duration of the project Work is expected to begin as weather permits in the spring and be completed by June Portage County B (Portage County R to Kennedy Avenue): This will resurface nearly a mile of roadway east of Portage County R The roadway’s surface will be milled and repaved with 2 inches of asphalt in a process expected to begin in early August and be completed by September The roadway will remain open to traffic through the project but daily flagging operations will likely cause delays and traffic is encouraged to use alternate routes until the project is completed Portage County B (Portage County J intersection): This project will resurface the intersection with Portage County J plus 1,000 feet of roadway both east and west from the intersection Work will include milling the roadway’s surface and repaving with 2 inches of asphalt The project is expected to be completed over two weeks in late fall Portage County D: Over 7 1/2 miles of Portage County D between Portage County J and Portage County A will be reconditioned in a project expected to begin in May and be completed in late summer or early fall Reconditioning the roadway will improve the road’s profile pavement structure and drainage and will also include replacement of the asphalt surface The roadway will be closed to through traffic throughout the project Access will be limited to adjacent residences Portage County B and State 54 are recommended as alternate routes but no official detour will be posted Portage County WW bridge replacement: This project will replace a bridge over Four Mile Creek along Portage County WW in the town of Grant about 0.8 miles west of Portage County F Work is expected to be completed sometime from May to October The roadway will be closed once the work begins and a detour will be posted utilizing Portage County F The project is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Local Bridge Program Stevens Point election results: Voter picks for Common Council, School 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offers practical advice on things in life no one prepared you for Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX Reveal is public radio’s first one-hour radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting A weekly program presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser Daniel Eastman looking out for piping plovers at Montrose Beach during a monitoring shift in July 2024 have long dedicated Saturday evenings throughout the summer to their “date night with the plovers.” they regularly don bright orange shirts and settle in at Montrose Beach to watch over Chicago’s piping plovers but we also love sharing that joy with others,” Essex said Essex and Eastman were among the first monitors to sign up in 2019 when piping plovers returned to Chicago’s beaches Piping plovers had not been seen in Chicago since 1955 when a pair of plovers — who were later named Monty and Rose — began nesting at Montrose Beach The pair’s arrival sparked conservation efforts leading to increased monitoring and habitat protection Plovers that nest in Chicago and Waukegan are part of the Great Lakes population — one of three distinct populations in North America Essex and Eastman didn’t have birding backgrounds — Essex works for a nonprofit medical society Eastman in publishing — but they have always been passionate about conservation and wildlife and had previously monitored peregrine falcons “There’s something special about these birds and yet they travel incredible distances and return year after year,” Essex said of the piping plovers An adult piping plover scurries around Montrose Beach in July 2024 sand-colored shorebirds that nest on open beaches The Atlantic and Great Plains populations are classified as threatened (likely to become endangered) while the Great Lakes population is endangered (in danger of extinction) the Great Lakes population comprised about 1,000 pairs and at least 150 pairs are needed for it to be considered self-sustaining lead volunteer coordinator for the Chicago Piping Plovers group piping plovers will soon return to their nesting grounds in Chicago which means monitors are finishing their preparations and new members are being trained over 100 volunteers take turns working in two-hour shifts from 6 a.m ensuring their nesting sites remain undisturbed and engaging with the public Itani describes the role as equal parts protector and educator “Most people don’t set out to disturb the plovers — they just don’t realize they’re there,” Itani said “So much of our job is about awareness and helping people see what’s right in front of them.” after the plovers migrate to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in the United States monitors help prepare the nesting sites by clearing overgrown vegetation and invasive species across the dunes The Chicago Park District later removes larger plants to restore the birds’ preferred open sand habitat “Every little thing we do — from pulling weeds to picking up trash — adds up,” Itani said A piping plover monitor looks out for Imani and its two surviving chicks at Montrose Beach in July 2024 Monitors ensure that people respect the protected areas prevent dogs from running into the nesting zones and keep an eye on predatory birds While monitors cannot intervene in every situation they serve as the eyes and ears of the agencies that oversee conservation efforts If a threat arises — like an encroaching storm surge an injured bird or a predator in the area — they escalate it to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or the U.S Volunteers endure harsh weather conditions so you never know what you’re going to get,” Essex said We’ve monitored in every condition you can imagine — storms Yet the community that has formed around these birds makes the effort worthwhile “I never expected to make friends through bird monitoring,” Essex said witnessing a plover hatch is the highlight of the season the most rewarding moments come when the plovers fledge which happens when the young birds grow enough to take their first flights Eden Essex and Daniel Eastman at a post-season monitor celebration The bands on their wrists mirror Monty and Rose’s leg bands “Seeing that first chick break through its shell — it’s magical,” Essex said fragile things to fully independent birds in just a few weeks who takes on more shifts than any of the other volunteers I watched a chick take its very first flight,” she said Watching that moment of success never gets old.” The return of piping plovers to Chicago also signifies a healthier “They wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t a good place to nest.” Piping plover chick Nagamo stretches its wings while it scurries around Montrose Beach in August 2024 Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale PLOVER – Mikey’s Bar & Grill will close Dec 18 but plans to reopen at a new location at the end of next year in Plover The restaurant announced Dec. 15 it would resume plans to bring a newly-crafted version of the restaurant into Artist & Fare in Plover While the restaurant planned to remain at its current location at 3018 Village Park Drive until the move the restaurant’s current lease ends at the end of 2024 and Mikey’s was not able to negotiate an agreement for a short-term lease extension “It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 17 years since we first opened our doors,” the announcement said “While we look forward to a new chapter (and a new Mikey’s) saying goodbye to our first home won’t be easy.” The restaurant will continue to prepare for its move into Artist & Fare at 1800 Plover Road in Plover and Rolly Lokre purchased the former Shopko building in Plover and worked together to renovate the property to create Artist & Fare a space that could accommodate a variety of businesses Various businesses started moving into the building in 2021 A new restaurant was always the plan for the site Masgay told the Stevens Point Journal he was planning to open a new restaurant at the site and would likely be the last tenant to move in The name and atmosphere of the new restaurant had not been announced at the time For more information, visit mikeysplover.com or find Mikey's of Plover on Facebook O'so Brewing Company brew: O'so brews beer 'to pay homage to Plover's most famous person.' Joe Pavelski is a fan. Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.