Educational use permitted. Vehicular and foot traffic destroys chicks and eggs, and human presence inhibits normal activities for the plovers. Migrates through the Great Lakes along the river systems through the Bahamas and West Indies. Currently found along the Atlantic Coast from Canada to North Carolina and along the shorelines of Lakes Michigan and Superior in Michigan. Winter along Gulf Coast beaches from Florida to Mexico, and Atlantic coast from Florida to North Carolina.
Nests are shallow depressions in the sand, four eggs usual.
Both parents incubate the eggs. The Texas coast has had at most 1,900 wintering individuals.