Piping plovers avoid nesting in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Piping plovers have been spotted around Duluth this year, but they're apparently not ready to make the area a permanent home.

Four sightings of the bird were confirmed. But despite efforts to encourage the birds to nest in the area, none of them did.

The St. Louis River Alliance has labored to attract the birds, including building a nesting area on a Superior beach designed to keep out gulls, crows and other critters.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is funding a five-year effort to restore plovers to their natural habitat along the sand and gravel beaches in the area. Although the birds didn't stay this time, plover lovers tell the Duluth News Tribune that they're encouraged.