Week 5 (June 11-17) at Whitefish Point was another week of watching the Piping Plovers faithfully take turns keeping their eggs warm and safe. Hatch day is quickly approaching, and I am so excited to hopefully watch the pair raise their chicks in the following weeks.

PIPL V. Photo by Morgan Ness

This week brought plenty of fog, cooler temperatures, and light rain, making monitoring a bit chilly and, at times, difficult to see through. The plovers, however, did not seem bothered by the weather. They continued their usual incubation routine, trading off duties roughly every hour while the off-duty bird foraged along the shoreline. Even during the foggiest mornings, the pair remained dedicated to protecting their nest and maintaining a steady incubation schedule.

V in the Rain. Photo by Polly Sheppard

As mentioned in the update last week, both our resident plovers got new bands thanks to the Great Lakes Piping Plover Conservation Team. G gained a fresh band combination (X,Y:Of,LG) and V got an updated violet band as hers had faded throughout the years.

G Sporting New Bands. Photo by Morgan Ness

One memorable moment from this week was watching G interact with a Dunlin along the shoreline. The two birds foraged up and down the psychological fencing, surprising me since G is normally very territorial near their nesting area. The pair continued their shoreline stroll as unlikely friends, and when it was time for G to return to incubation duties, the Dunlin nearly followed him all the way back to the nest. It was a funny and unexpected interaction that provided a welcome break from the otherwise routine incubation observations.

G and Dunlin. Photo by Morgan Ness

Aside from the Dunlin encounter, the shoreline continued to host a variety of migratory shorebirds. Watching these species share the beach serves as a reminder of how important Great Lakes shorelines are for both nesting and migrating birds throughout the season.

Curious V. Photo by Morgan Ness

Hopefully, there will only be one more blog post before we have mini Piping Plovers running the Point!

-Morgan Ness, 2026 Piping Plover Monitor

Feature Photo: V Foraging by M. Ness

Piping Plover monitoring is a collaborative effort between Michigan Audubon and Seney National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS).

You can keep up with the 2026 Piping Plover action at WPBO by reading Morgan’s blog posts and following WPBO’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X).

Morgan Ness: 2026 Piping Plover Monitor

Having studied Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Morgan developed a passion for protecting migratory birds and forest ecology. After spending time in Montana conducting avian monitoring, Morgan is excited to experience Michigan’s species during migration season and to take in the change in scenery. Whether she’s identifying leg bands or chatting with beachgoers about the importance of plover conservation, Morgan’s enthusiasm for the outdoors is contagious. She is thrilled to call the Michigan shoreline her office this summer and contribute to the recovery of such an iconic species. When she isn’t bird-watching, Morgan is often crocheting, hiking, or watching Bravo.