Rose and Monty are Chicago’s most famous new parents.
At least in the bird world.
You see, the pair of Piping Plovers hatched a chick right along Montrose Beach, more specifically Montrose Point, on the Lake Michigan.
“This is not a drill,” The Chicago Ornithological Society posted excitedly on Twitter Wednesday. “The first Piping Plover chick to hatch in Chicago since 1955, hatched today!”
This is not a drill. The first Piping Plover chick to hatch in Chicago since 1955, hatched today! More pictures and news to follow.#ploverwatch #ChicagoStyle
— Chicago Ornithological Society (@chicago_birder) July 17, 2019
Tom Lally gets credit for one of the first image of the chick.
And we now have a first look! #CutenessOverload
Photo credit: Tom Lally pic.twitter.com/7gtJkeORCW— Chicago Ornithological Society (@chicago_birder) July 18, 2019
Excitement has been building in the Windy City over the prospect of a chick.
Bob Dolgan has been documenting the journey in a blog, Plover Watch 2019.
He first spotted a Piping Plover in the area late last year in the middle of his Big Year, of sorts, and then again the new year.
That’s also when others were noticing the endangered species making a home at the beach.
“Then came a group text, sent to a bunch of serious Chicago birders on June 1: a pair of piping plovers were demonstrating nesting behavior at Montrose,” Dolgan recalled this week. “I was at the site within a day, one of the busiest sections of the beach at Montrose, and soon signed up to monitor the nest. And I wasn’t alone. The presence of “Monty and Rose,” as the birds came to be called, drew a massive response from birders and non-birders alike who simply wanted to help protect the birds. Within a few days, at least 100 people had signed up to volunteer through a coordinated effort of Chicago Audubon Society, Chicago Ornithological Society and Illinois Ornithological Society.”
It does takes a village to keep the family safe.
“There’s still a big need for volunteers to get Monty and Rose through the home stretch,” the organization wrote. “Weekends and evenings are a particular need.”
There’s still a big need for volunteers to get Monty and Rose through the home stretch. Consider sending an email to piperwatch@chicagobirder.org to lend a hand. Weekends and evenings are a particular need. pic.twitter.com/LHqwNKLOGx
— Chicago Ornithological Society (@chicago_birder) July 17, 2019
It’s also become a teachable moment.
Now, Dolgan is working on a film.
It’s been 40 days since Monty & Rose started showing nesting behavior at Chicago’s Montrose Beach. Here’s a clip reel I’ve been working on to showcase these special birds, including an interview with @chicagio. Support our filming: https://t.co/vUXMQhFD2s. #PloverWatch pic.twitter.com/Xx4Y3P3TWt
— Bob Dolgan (@bobdolgan) July 13, 2019
“One of the great outcomes of Monty and Rose nesting has been the opportunity to educate the public about the birds,” Dolgan added. “People of all ages and all interest levels stop by to check out the nest. Some people have never heard of a plover. Other people have been coming to Montrose daily for years but have never stopped to look at birds. It’s taken on a life of its own, and I believe we now have a template to host these birds for years to come.”
Fantastic piece here! @wniu @wnij https://t.co/ywgvXrhJUR #PloverWatch @chicago_birder
— Bob Dolgan (@bobdolgan) July 18, 2019
Main Photo Tom Lally/Chicago Ornithological Society/Twitter
