Port Inland

A 2.5 mile stretch of pebbly beach.

Ornithological Summary

Supports a small breeding population of the endangered Great Lakes population of Piping Plovers.

Conservation Issues

Great Lakes Piping Plovers face many threats in the breeding areas limiting both survivorship of adults and young as well as fecundity, including:

1) Predation of adults and young by raptors (esp. Merlin), gulls, and mammals 2) Disturbance of incubation/trampling of eggs and nests by foot traffic and ORVs 3) Botulism poisoning of adults eating maggots from botulism-killed waterbirds washed up on beach

Cordoning off of the breeding territories and volunteer efforts of the Piping Plover patrol are now required long-term for the continued survival of this population. Avoiding burying botulism-killed waterbirds is necessary to prevent the occurrence of botulism infested maggots in the breeding areas.

Ownership

Majority in state ownership (Sault Ste. Marie State Forest) with a smaller proportion in corporate ownership.

Land Use

Dominant use is industrial mining (quarry) with several smaller recreational uses.