They're here, they're here! Welcome 2021 Piping Plover chicks!

On behalf of Chicago’s beloved Monty and Rose, we are proud to announce the hatching of their 2021 chicks. Just before 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, a tiny fuzzy chick was glimpsed in the nest, confirmed again minutes later. At 3:15 pm, Rose carried an eggshell fragment away from the nest, thus announcing the arrival of a second chick. With winds blowing strongly on the beach, the chicks remained cozily sheltered under Mom and Dad, peeking through a wing or from under a chest from time to time. The third chick decided to wait a little bit longer and hatched at 7:48 am on Thursday 7/8/21. The older siblings made short forays inside the exclosure, but the cold weather and continued strong winds kept them sheltering under a parent. We are now awaiting with hopes for a fourth chick.

2 adult plovers, and 2 plover chicks, shortly after hatching.

Piping plover chicks are able to leave the nest after hatching and run around finding small bugs to feed themselves. Monty and Rose do not feed the chicks, but spend their time guarding the tiny puffballs from predators like gulls and raccoons. Dogs off leash also pose a very serious threat to the little plover chicks. Any disruption, even going too close to the plovers to take photos, can result in flushing the birds and separating the chicks from adults leaving them vulnerable to predators. Everyone can help by following guidance provided by the plover monitors on where the plover family currently is and how to observe them without putting them in danger.

The endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover population, once down to less than twenty pairs, has rebounded thanks to recovery efforts to around 74 breeding pairs. More information about the Great Lakes Piping Plover recovery effort (and many adorable videos of plover chicks!) can be found here: https://www.greatlakespipingplover.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/GLPIPL/

Many thanks to everyone who has made this happy event possible! The Chicago Park District has been hard at work ensuring that protections are in place for the plover nesting area, and working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the USDA Wildlife Services, in monitoring the safety of the birds. Our deeply committed and loving Piping Plover monitors are onsite helping to protect the chicks and will be available to explain to beachgoers the importance of giving the tiny hatchlings space to eat and rest.

Please check our Facebook page, and Twitter and Instagram Account (Chicago Piping Plovers) for videos and photos. The video below highlights an affectionate moment between Rose and her newly hatched chick.