Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) returned to the Great Lakes in record numbers in 2007.  A total of 63 breeding pairs were recorded, the highest number since monitoring began and the highest number since the 1970’s.  Sixty-three breeding pairs represent an 18% increase in the population from 2006 numbers and a 370% increase since listing in 1986.  With this increase, the population in the Great Lakes is almost halfway towards the recovery goal of 150 breeding pairs.  Piping plovers in the Great Lakes continued to expand their breeding range, with pairs selecting nest sites in Michigan at locations previously unoccupied.  Breeding pair numbers in Wisconsin also increased to a record six pairs.  The 2007 breeding season also brought with it, the first successful piping plover nest in the Great Lakes area of Canada in over 30 years. 

The overall reproductive success of piping plovers was above average in 2007, but varied considerably across the basin.  Poor spring weather and predators are the most probable cause of nest failures at some sites.  Nevertheless, with the increased number of breeding pairs, total numbers of young fledged was a record 137 birds. 

Partnership with other state, federal and tribal interests on piping plover recovery continued with increased participation from the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (FS), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MIDNR), the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and Michigan’s tribal community.  Members of the American Zoological Association (AZA), and in particular, the Detroit Zoo provided significant contribution to the on-going salvage captive rearing program.  With their assistance, members from nine different zoos from across the country came to Michigan to assist in recovery efforts. 

Staff from the University of Minnesota continued with important research in 2007, as well as providing many hours in the field to monitor and protect nesting plovers.  Research into piping plover demographics continued and a unique study of predation was conducted utilizing remote digital video cameras. This year required extraordinary efforts from all field crews due to the expanding range.  Volunteers again turned out in good numbers to provide help in monitoring nesting piping plovers.  The field season ended with the annual end-of-season meeting and pot-luck picnic sponsored by the East Lansing Field Office and Michigan DNR.