An ephemeral island, which is a temporary island or sandbar is created on the Mississippi River near Grafton, Ill., June 27, 2024. Ephemeral islands, when exposed, provide safe feeding and resting habitat for a variety of shorebirds. If exposed for long periods during the breeding season, these sand bars may also provide nesting habitat for species like the Interior Least Tern. When these temporary islands are underwater they provide habitat for species of minnows and young fish.