Home / Environment / Green Bay's Lost Birds Roost Again After 70 Years
Green Bay's Lost Birds Roost Again After 70 Years
3 Oct
Summary
- Piping plovers returned to Green Bay after a 70-year absence.
- Restored habitat from dredged material supports nesting plovers.
- 68 wild-hatched chicks have fledged from restored sites.
Piping plovers, absent from Green Bay for over seven decades, have returned to nest on habitat created from dredged harbour material. The Cat Island Restoration Chain, established in 2016, provided this crucial space.
Since 2016, this restored site has seen continuous nesting. A total of 68 wild-hatched chicks have successfully fledged there, contributing to the small Great Lakes population.
The success has led to expansion, with a breeding pair establishing a nest at nearby Longtail Point in 2023. This site, a Wisconsin state wildlife area, has faced challenges including predation and habitat degradation.
Habitat improvement efforts are currently underway at Longtail Point, funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. These plans, scheduled between 2024 and 2027, aim to address issues like vegetation encroachment and erosion.
In 2026, the wider Green Bay area experienced a strong breeding season, with four pairs producing 10 fledglings. This indicates a positive trend in the recovery of piping plovers in the region.
