An endangered-species bird called the piping plover is nesting at Webster State Park near Stockton in Rooks County in north-central Kansas, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks said May 23 on Facebook.

The appearance has prompted officials there to close the park's swim beach until late June as the bird "incubates her nest in the sand and the fledglings depart," the KDWP said on that page.

"Visitors may observe from outside the areas marked with yellow caution tape, taking care not to disturb the birds," the agency said. "A valid state park vehicle entry permit is still required."

The piping plover has been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1986 and the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act since 1987, the KDWP said.

How big (or small) is the piping plover?

The piping plover is a sparrow-sized, migratory shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America.

It is about 7 inches long, has a wingspan of about 15 inches and weighs between 1..4 and 2.3 ounces, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The piping plover has sandy-colored feathers that help it blend in on the beach, said the Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Times.

Bird watchers described as "plover lovers" congregated last month at Chicago's Montrose Beach to watch piping plovers who have been returning there annually since 2019, reported that city's WTTW-TV.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.