Tributes and reactions
The tributes and reactions have been pouring in about what Monty, Rose and their little ones have meant to the volunteers and community. Here are a few randomly collected ones from social media (or direct email) that illustrate the positive impact our little Piping Plovers have had on many lives.
“When anything is vulnerable, we all are. Protecting them protected so much more. It’s a lesson I hope we never forget that applies to nature, animals and each other.”
Raed Mansour, Monitor
“Conservation isn’t for the faint-hearted. We all know the fragility and urgency of the enterprise. An endangered species, a small army of volunteers with an insane level of passion and all of Chicago depended on a pair of two ounce birds who travel 1000 miles each way, each year. Monty & Rose’s legacy gave a whole city hope and joy, gave my beloved son a life path in environmentalism and gave me some of the most magical moments I’ve ever had. In 2019, We watched their first chick ever hatch on my son’s birthday, the first of many shared wonders with Monty & Rose. When he migrated back this April, I went to Montrose to find him and suddenly heard his peep [I’d know it anywhere] calling on the wing as he soared over the Dunes landing at the Lake Michigan shore. It was like reuniting with an old friend.
I’m gutted at our collective loss. Our plover monitors were involved in a true labor of love. I didn’t know I could love a wild bird this much.
Monty, 2017-2022
* Hatched MI 2017
* Died Montrose Beach Chgo IL May 13 2022
* Fledged 7 chicks with Rose
* Grandfather to Nish’s Fledglings 2021
* The King of Montrose
* Legendary Great Lakes Piping Plover
* Pint-Sized Plover Ambassador for Endangered Species Protection and Habitat Restoration
We love you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Godspeed, Monty.
R.I.P”
Ann Gunkel, Monitor
“I feel strongly that the death of these birds have affected everyone on a much deeper level in that they represented hope. Any true birder and lover of nature and all the world's creatures is truly fighting an upward battle in the fight against climate change, and our environment suffering along with several species of animals being on the brink of extinction. These little beings for a short time gave people great hope that if they survived, they could be restored to a better numbers. I am hoping that everyone continues to do their part and fight for our planet and all that live on it through this experience even though the outcome was dire. It is very sad but personally it makes me stronger and wanting to do more. So be bummed and carry on and do more or at least what you can.”
Kelly Rauch
“Feeling the deepest gratitude for Monty. Just an ounce or two large, Monty made such a huge impact in Chicago and across the world. He moved a city of people to consider their impact beyond themselves. He brought so much awe, joy, and wonder into the hearts of many. It's truly hard to imagine Montrose without him. Thank you, sweet Monty. Thank you.”
Tracy Nolan
“Highland, Indiana birder Andrew Slager and I were ready to monitor Monty and Rose in 2022. We had registered with Tamima Itani and the Chicago Park District for a weekly day and time to be on the Watch. I ordered more monitor tee shirts to share with others, a monitor face mask, pre-ordered the new Monty and Rose Return book, and waited day by day for news that Rose had joined Monty. We could then start the summer joining over 100 other volunteer monitors in one of the most rewarding urban birding experiences in a lifetime.
It was 4:27 p.m. Friday, May 13, when a Chicago monitor texted me that Monty was dead! Devastating news.”
From monitor Carolyn A. Marsh, Whiting, Indiana
“Our hearts are heavy as the Ploverville team mourns along with our friends in Chicago.
Farewell to Monty. An ambassador bird for the ages.”
From the team at Maumee Bay, OH
“I’m deeply saddened to share that on Friday afternoon our beloved Monty passed away, very suddenly and unexpectedly As much as I feel compelled to find the words to describe my feelings, I know that everyone reading this already knows how passionate I am about this. The impact these two birds have had on the conservation efforts here is beyond measure. It’s been an honor to watch over them these past three years, and I look forward to continuing the work to make Montrose a safe place for piping plovers and other shorebirds.
Thanks for choosing us, Monty”
Ani Chandler, Monitor
“I am heartbroken to hear the news that the beloved Piping Plover Monty died yesterday. I will treasure my memories of him and Rose at Waukegan and Montrose. It was a privilege to be part of the conservation work to conserve these special little birds. They were the inspiration for Lake County Audubon Society to create its Sharing Our Shore-Waukegan project.”
Emma England, lead Waukegan volunteer coordinator
“The first time I saw Monty, Rose and their chicks was on June 26, 2020. I hadn't birded Montrose in a few years and had never been to the beach to observe shorebirds. As soon as I got to the beach, I got caught in a downpour, and took shelter underneath the little shack in front of The Dock. The storm quickly subsided, and that's when I saw the plover family for the first time, running around in the panne as I watched from the path. Aside from the monitors, I was alone on the beach which made the moment even more special. Seeing Monty and Rose protect their chicks so fiercely was one of the most awe-inspiring things I had ever witnessed in my life. That experience lit a fire inside of me, spurred so much love for the family and for shorebirds in general, kicked my birding hobby into an undying passion/obsession, and made me a Montrose "regular".
Watching Monty, Rose and their offspring over the last three seasons has been such a privilege. Sending my deepest gratitude and condolences to you, the monitors, and everyone who played a role in keeping them safe over the years at their improbable summer home.”
Audrey Carl
“As many of you know, we were all shocked to hear of the death of Monty, Chicago’s famed Piping Plover. I saw him in the morning on the day he died, huddled up in a hollow on the beach. I thought he seemed a little quiet as he’s usually scurrying around. He was found deceased later in the day, appropriately Friday the 13th May. He was 5 years old, three of them spent nesting at Montrose Beach. I saw him over 100 times at Montrose but my closest encounter was just two weeks ago, pictured here. I was walking the beach wondering where he was when I heard his familiar piping call. I stopped and scanned around but couldn’t see him. Then I realized he was just a few feet away, happily scurrying around finding morsels to eat. It’s astonishing to see a bird in the wild and know where he was born (Michigan), who his parents were, know his partner (Rose), watch him raise families, and know where he went when he headed south each year (Texas). I’ll miss my little beach buddy.”
Terry Walsh, Monitor
“He was such a good husband and father. He was willing to fight anything to protect his nest. He tried to fight ME when I got close to his nest to retrieve a volleyball. I will miss him so much.”
Shana Conner, Monitor
“I worked at Kayak Chicago at Montrose the year he arrived and we’d get to see him everyday. By the end of the summer he felt like a close friend. Every morning we were some of the first ones on the beach & we’d watch him as we set up our boats. Everyone was delighted to see him.”
Dustin, Kayak Chicago