Nova Scotia

Endangered bird returns to Canada after surprising Bahamas jaunt

One of four endangered piping plovers born at White Point Beach last summer has come home.

ET was was spotted on a beach in the Bahamas in early May

E2 and a possible mate at Kejimkujik Seaside, part of Kejimkujik National Park. These plovers were photographed Victoria Day Weekend 2015. (Kejimkujik National Park)

One of four endangered piping plovers born at White Point Beach last summer has come home.

ET was was spotted on a beach in the Bahamas in early May, leaving those who track the birds to wonder if he would return to the south shore.

Donna Hatt confirmed the little bird has safely completed the long journey back from the Bahamas after Nova Scotia's long, cold winter.

ET was sighted at Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct by a team from the national park.

There are a number of plovers nesting at the site, including ET's sibling, E2.

A third sibling, E4 also made the arduous trek north this spring and was spotted on Cheery Hill.

Another sibling, EL, has not yet been spotted.

The birds were some of 200 plovers in Eastern Canada that were banded in a study started by Environment Canada in 2014.

Meanwhile, back at White Point, papa plover EP is guarding a nest of four eggs which are expected to hatch on Saturday.   

At White Point, they've seen 11 babies hatched in the past four years and this year they're hoping for more.

The resort has a piping plover display aimed at educating guests about the tiny shorebird and its nests and the necessity of keeping dogs on leashes while on the beach.

Can you spot EP's nest of four eggs? (Kejimkujik National Park)

With files from Yvonne Colbert