One of the sure signs of spring is when the Piping Plovers start to arrive on area beaches for the new breeding season.  A number of plover arrivals have taken place over the last week including this male discovered on Black Beach in Falmouth.  As soon as male plovers return to their breeding grounds, they set up territories and then look to attract mates.  After courtship activities, the female plover will typically lay four eggs starting the middle of April.  Massachusetts has the largest breeding population of piping plovers along the Atlantic coast!