Piping plovers in Michigan: How to enjoy them without disturbing their comeback

Experts say the Great Lakes piping plover—those tiny, sand-colored shorebirds—are making a slow but steady recovery after nearly disappearing decades ago. But their comeback story depends on people following simple but strict rules. When walking Michigan beaches this season, hikers need to watch for plovers that look like running cotton balls with toothpick legs. The safest way to tell if you’re too close? Stick your thumb out at arm’s length. If the bird is bigger than your thumb, step back. Pets should stay leashed, especially near Peterson and Tiesma Beaches where many plovers nest. The birds weren’t always thriving. In the 1980s, only about 20 breeding pairs remained. Now, thanks to conservation work, the number has grown every year for the past four seasons. Last year’s count of 88 pairs was the highest in four decades. Sleeping Bear Dunes alone hosted 34 nesting pairs in 2025—meaning one-third of all Great Lakes plovers chose its shores.A few tagged males have already returned this spring, spotted in Green Bay and back at Sleeping Bear. One familiar pair, GOO and BabeL, showed up together again, dining on small bugs just like last year when they raised three healthy chicks. Their return proves that protection efforts are working—but only if beachgoers stick to the rules. If you spot a plover wearing colored bands or flags, reporting the sighting helps scientists track movement and survival. Supporting local conservation can be as simple as donating to signage at popular beaches or learning about volunteers who quietly guard nests from threats.