The nest is hatching!
Enjoy a recent clip from the camera used to monitor her nest.
She’s a Celebirdy!
Mama Hoo Hoo is an Ambassador for Piping Plovers
When Mama Hoo Hoo was a baby, she was given four, unique colored bands on her legs. Scientists now always know who she is, where she has gone, and how she is doing.
Where in the world have you been, Mama Hoo Hoo?
Mama Hoo Hoo has had a very difficult life!
Mama Hoo Hoo hatches at Corsons Inlet
Mamu Hoo Hoo hatches at a nest in Corsons Inlet State Park. Her parents are not banded, but she and her two brothers, Sideshow Bob and Posi Vi, were banded. She had another sibling who was not banded.
Only Mama Hoo Hoo survives.
Mama Hoo Hoo Disappears
Mama Hoo Hoo was not seen at all in 2023. She might have spent her first year in the Bahamas, which is where many Atlantic Coast Piping Plovers spend the winter!
Mama Hoo Hoo fails 5 nest attempts in one year
In 2024, Mama Hoo Hoo tried to nest 3 different times with an unbanded mate. First she tried on Horseshoe Island near Little Egg Inlet. The nest hatched, but she lost her chicks to predators before they could fly.
Then she tried twice at Holgate, but failed both times. The eggs were destroyed before they could hatch.
Poor Mama Hoo Hoo! 2024 was a rough year.
Mama Hoo Hoo fails 3 more times
In 2025, Mama Hoo Hoo returned to Holgate where she met a new mate named Mayonnaise. Mama Hoo Hoo and Mayonnaise tried twice, but both times the eggs were lost.
Determined to try again, Mama Hoo Hoo flew over the inlet and met another mate. He was also a banded ambassador and his name was Brocollini. They tried nesting at North Wildwood, but the eggs were lost before they could hatch.
This is her chance! She’s not going to quit, so let’s help Mama Hoo Hoo!
In 2026, Mama Hoo Hoo returned to New Jersey, and this time, tried her luck at Island Beach State Park. Unfortunately, she lost her first nest there earlier this spring.
That brings us to today!
On June 3rd, 2026, photographer Rich Nichols was visiting the Lighthouse when he saw a Piping Plover acting strange. He watched it closely, and discovered a new egg lying in the sand. It was Mama Hoo Hoo’s!
Let's help Mama Hoo Hoo finally become a real mom!
Obey the park rules and avoid the fenced areas.
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No Dogs
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No Kites
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No Trespassing
Mama Hoo Hoo's Milestones
Let’s help Mama Hoo Hoo reach her biggest Milestone yet: finally becoming a Mama.
June 3rd
Afternoon
Photographer Rich Nichols finds Mama Hoo Hoo’s first egg while visiting the Lighthouse.
June 3rd
Evening
Linda Bonvie & Jay Mann volunteer to help build an emergency fence to protect the nest.
June 6th
New Jersey Fish & Wildlife comes to build a protective fence around the nest.
June 8th
The Little Egg Foundation adds cameras to the nest to monitor for predators and other risks.
Brought to you by the Little Egg Foundation.
The Little Egg Foundation runs the NestStory database and software which allow governments, conservation groups, and scientists to track and study endangered birds like Mama Hoo Hoo, all around the world. We provide the monitoring cameras for Mama Hoo Hoo and many other endangered birds.
The Little Egg Foundation is a 501c public charity.
© 2026
Help us help Mama Hoo Hoo!
Support our outreach and tracking efforts like mamahoohoo.org. Please consider making a fully tax deductible donation to The Little Egg Foundation today.
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