Monty and Rose nesting 2021 update!

Today, (May 13, 2021) we can announce that Monty and Rose have chosen to nest this year in the habitat addition recently added to the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area by the Chicago Park District. As in past years, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service set a wire "exclosure" over the eggs to protect the nest from predators, such as raccoons or skunks. Monty and Rose will be able to move freely in and out of the cage as they take turns incubating the eggs and feeding away from the nest. USDA Wildlife Services biologists installed cameras that take periodic photos to help monitor conditions at the nest. Volunteer monitors from the Illinois Ornithological Society, Chicago Ornithological Society, and Chicago Audubon Society, as well as the Montrose Dunes stewards and other groups, have been watching over the birds as in past years.  

Monty and Rose fledged three chicks from their Montrose nest in 2020, and two chicks the year prior.  

The Great Lakes Piping Plover population, once down to less than twenty pairs, has rebounded thanks to recovery efforts to around 70 breeding pairs.  More information about the Great Lakes Piping Plover recovery effort can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/pipingplover/ 

Cassi Saari, Chicago Park District and Brad Semel, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, installing exclosure over nest Photo: Tamima Itani

Monty officially lodging a protest as the exclosure was being installed. Photos: Tamima Itani

Rose wasn’t too happy either…photos: Tamima Itani

Craig and Michelle, USDA, preparing nest camera, photo: Tamima Itani