A familiar friend returned Monday to the shores of Montrose Beach, according to the Chicago Park District and a group of birdwatchers.

Pippin, a Great Lakes Piping plover, has returned to the Chicago lakefront for his third year.

Last summer, Pippin left the lakefront with an injury to his foot. The Chicago Piping Plovers, a group of birdwatchers which began when the birds were first spotted, said many feared the worst after his injury last year.

Pippin returned this week with a missing foot and subtle limp. Otherwise, the Chicago Park District said he is in good health.

“Pippin is a trooper,” said Irene Tostado, a spokesperson for the Chicago Park District, in a statement.

An endangered species, Pippin joins other Piping plovers at Montrose Beach. The Chicago Piping Plovers also reported Monday that one of the other plovers, Imani, had returned to the lakefront. The 2,000 acres of nature are managed by the park system for their biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

“The presence of this endangered species is a testament to the importance of protecting our environment and wildlife through continuous conservation and sustainability efforts,” Tostado said in the statement.