Ms. Packer Piping Plover photo courtesy of Jack Swelstad, April 24, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The return of an endangered shorebird species is creating excitement in the bird watching community.
Piping plovers have been spotted on the Cat Island Chain which is not far from the city of Green Bay.
Experts say one particular bird has a special connection to the Green and Gold.
“It’s the beginning of Piping Plover nesting season in Lower Green Bay. We have five birds back on site. One of the birds that’s returned is who we refer to as “Ms. Packer.” That’s because of green and yellow bands on her legs. We’re really, really happy she’s returned,” said Tom Prestby, Audubon Great Lakes Wisconsin Conservation Manager.
Prestby says Ms. Packer nested in the area since 2019, and over the years has produced 10 fledged chicks. Prestby says last April, Ms. Packer arrived, but then disappeared.
“We thought that she was gone. Either from a predator, or just died from natural causes. So, she’s back now, which is awesome,” he said.
“Banding is a long-time tool used in wildlife management,” said Jade Arneson, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fish and Wildlife Biologist.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fish and Wildlife Biologist Jade Arneson says Ms. Packer has a yellow band on her left leg, and two green bands on her right.
“Most of our birds in the Great Lakes population are banded. So we’re able to learn about the age of these individuals, their survivorship from year to year, their breeding success, which of course is really important to document in terms of recovering a federally-endangered species,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tom Prestby says Ms. Packer is getting ready to nest.
“We’re really hopeful. We’re coming off a record-breaking year last year, where 81 pairs on the Great Lakes. So we’re hoping to build on that this year. The last two years plovers have nested on Cat Island, and at Long Tail Point. We expect at least two or three nests at Cat Island, and hopefully another one at Long Tail Point, for the third year in a row,” he said.
People are asked to be respectful when viewing the Piping Plovers. The Cat Island Chain Causeway is considered to be an active construction site, and is off limits to the general public.
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