5 days ago
712
3
Posted On: July 21st 2026, 03:50 pm
No, those aren’t cotton balls with legs running around on the beaches.
It’s hard to believe, but those are actually piping plover chicks. And here at Sleeping Bear Dunes, there are quite a few of them!
47 chicks have fledged this season, and that number could continue to grow. At 23 days old, fledged chicks can fly and are more likely to avoid predation.
Remember those plover pairs from April? They’ve been quite busy these past few months. “Chick” out these updates:
GOO and BbL (Bubble) went steady this season, fledging 3 chicks!
OGY and LVY also fledged plover triplets.
YOV and bbO (Baby-O) apparently wanted in on the triplet parenting, because they fledged 3 chicks as well.
As for bVR and ORX? Well…that’s where the plover drama comes in. bVR’s old boo-thang, YOYO, swooped back in to claim her man, and they fledged two chicks this season. Congrats to the happy couple! (Sorry, ORX.)
At this point in the season, chicks might be anywhere on the beach.
Here’s what you can do to help them:
Keep beaches trash free. Trash can attract plover predators, especially ravens and crows.
Make sure dogs are leashed and brought only on permitted beaches.
Obey all plover fencing and signage.
Give plovers space! If you see them, stay at least 100 feet away.
Soon, chicks will begin to fly south. If you’re out in the park and encounter these endangered birds, make sure to wish them well on their journey!
NPS Photo/V. Cavalieri
#PetsInThePark #GreatLakesPipingPlover
It’s hard to believe, but those are actually piping plover chicks. And here at Sleeping Bear Dunes, there are quite a few of them!
47 chicks have fledged this season, and that number could continue to grow. At 23 days old, fledged chicks can fly and are more likely to avoid predation.
Remember those plover pairs from April? They’ve been quite busy these past few months. “Chick” out these updates:
GOO and BbL (Bubble) went steady this season, fledging 3 chicks!
OGY and LVY also fledged plover triplets.
YOV and bbO (Baby-O) apparently wanted in on the triplet parenting, because they fledged 3 chicks as well.
As for bVR and ORX? Well…that’s where the plover drama comes in. bVR’s old boo-thang, YOYO, swooped back in to claim her man, and they fledged two chicks this season. Congrats to the happy couple! (Sorry, ORX.)
At this point in the season, chicks might be anywhere on the beach.
Here’s what you can do to help them:
Keep beaches trash free. Trash can attract plover predators, especially ravens and crows.
Make sure dogs are leashed and brought only on permitted beaches.
Obey all plover fencing and signage.
Give plovers space! If you see them, stay at least 100 feet away.
Soon, chicks will begin to fly south. If you’re out in the park and encounter these endangered birds, make sure to wish them well on their journey!
NPS Photo/V. Cavalieri
#PetsInThePark #GreatLakesPipingPlover
Comments (3)
2 days agostillsmallvox
As many as two weeks elapse between the water quality postings at certain SLBE sites. Should visitors be worried?
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