Piping plovers are small shorebirds that nest primarily on sand, gravel or cobblestone beaches. The court heard that there are only 170 to 190 nesting pairs left, well below the 2022 plan's goal ...

The Michigan DNR reports that 73 nests were observed this year and 65 of those nests hatched, giving this threatened species hope for recovery.

Monty the piping plover walks the shoreline on April 21, 2022, after returning to Montrose Harbor. Last season’s success bodes well for this summer’s nesting numbers.

“The Great Lakes Piping Plover is kind of a symbol of untouched shoreline that is in a natural state, and they are just a wonderful bird. They're fun to watch,” Kleitch said.