Piping Plovers are known to do little dance-like moves when they are hunting. The rest of us may also be doing little dances right now due to a planned Species at Risk Act (SARA) assessment that might slow down mechanical raking bulldozers from destroying the tiny sparrow-like bird’s habitat in Wasaga Beach.
According to the Simcoe.com website, Samantha Bayard, a spokesperson for the federal Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is conducting an assessment to “consider the best available information on the species and threats, including information provided by the Town of Wasaga Beach.” It is an imminent threat assessment.
The jeopardy to this bird is caused by the Government of Ontario Destination Wasaga’s $38 million beachfront revitalization plan. Included in the government’s plans are $11 million for 3,000 new beachfront homes and roadwork around Beach Drive.
Since 2008, nearly half of Ontario’s fledgling baby birds have grown up in the 59 Piping Plover nests on Wasaga Beach. Their parents number among a third of Ontario’s breeding population. The total global population of this tiny, spritely bird was estimated to be only about 8,000 in 2020.
Piping Plovers, which nest above high tide lines on beaches, come back to Ontario from the Caribbean and Southern US in May. They are considered endangered, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers helps the bird retain breeding areas by grooming the Platte and Missouri River nesting grounds.
The tiny bird is “especially susceptible to human disturbances because they are ground-nesting birds that make their home on open, sandy shorelines—the same beaches people value for residential and commercial development. Not only is there habitat loss, but breeding and rearing success is threatened by vehicular and foot traffic, increased predator populations attracted to human refuse, and unmonitored pets,” the Endangered.org website explains.
May 9th is World Migratory Birds Day.
Learn more about Piping Plovers
Sign the Environmental Defence Petition
Sources
Feds assessing threats to Wasaga Beach’s piping plovers, ministry confirms: The federal government is facing a call from environmental groups to protect the endangered shoreline bird. (2026, May 8). Simcoe.com: Metroland Media Group Ltd. https://www.simcoe.com/news/wasaga-plover-federal-threat-assessment/article_8c767473-c1d6-577e-81d4-f61900aa9ec9.html
Lawsuit Seeks Emergency Protection for Endangered Piping Plovers at Wasaga Beach. (2026, April 20). Ontario Nature. https://ontarionature.org/news-release/lawsuit-seeks-emergency-protection-for-endangered-piping-plovers-at-wasaga-beach/
Beachfront Redevelopment. (2025, May 23). Destination Wasaga. https://engagewasaga.ca/beachfront-redevelopment
An Update on Piping Plovers at Ontario’s Wasaga Beach: Your Frequently Asked Questions: What is so important about Wasaga Beach? (2026, February 27). Birds Canada: BirdLife International. https://www.birdscanada.org/an-update-on-piping-plovers-at-ontarios-wasaga-beach-your-frequently-asked-questions
Piping Plover. (2026). Endangered Species Coalition. https://www.endangered.org/animals/piping-plover/
Piping Plovers in Canada – What You Need to Know. (2026). Environment and Climate Change Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/factsheets/piping-plovers-canada-what-you-need-know.html#toc9
Piping Plover. (2026, April 27). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piping_plover