Piping plovers are small shorebirds. They’re considered endangered, especially around the Great Lakes.
Key Takeaways
- Piping plovers are endangered, so they really need our protection.
- Montrose Beach in Chicago gives these rare birds and their chicks a place to live.
- People in the community and experts both play a big part in helping these birds survive.
In Chicago, people have really rallied to protect these birds. Local volunteers and plover monitors spend hours safeguarding nesting spots like Montrose Beach.
This beach has become a bit famous for its piping plovers – think Monty and Rose. It still serves as a key sanctuary for the species, drawing a lot of attention.
Recently, a chick named Ferris – offspring of Imani, who’s actually a descendant of Monty and Rose – was killed by a hawk at Montrose Beach. It’s tough news for folks who’ve followed these birds.
Two other chicks survived and can fly now. Still, this incident just shows how many challenges piping plovers face, even in places where people try to help.
Wildlife organizations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service keep working hard for these birds in Illinois and across the Great Lakes. It’s a never-ending effort, honestly.
