Big excitement in Chicago this spring as a pair of the endangered Piping Plovers reunite after wintering apart. They are named for Montrose Beach. This spring, the city created a preserved area for them to reunite, protected by fencing separating them from the public beach. But Monty and Rose had other ideas, preferring the public beach instead. So now there is literally a line in the sand that viewers are not supposed to cross, along with Piping Plover volunteer monitors. In 2019, a music festival at that harbor was cancelled to protect their nest. I've attached two news reports for those who may be interested. Or you can google Monty and Rose 2021. (PS -- I don't know who is who -- just that one has a blue band, the other green)
Such lovely looking little birds , it seems they are determined to chose their own home and nesting site ! I hope they will be successful to mate and bring up a brood of chicks even if in the public view !!
Very cool!! So beautiful to see!! We are heading up Fredericksburg Va going thru St Augustine and Savannah. Anxious to get back to Florida as we’ll be headed to the Ft DeSoto park area.
@randystreat LOL! I don't think so. The site that has the protective fence is where they had nested in the past. Then, they added a large section to the beach to expand the area. Probably more hope than anything else, to keep the nests safe. But it does look pretty funny -- as long as the birds and their nest can stay undisturbed elsewhere.
Beautiful shot and birds. Just this morning I have taken some pictures of two birds very like these. The beaks are the same and they also have the black ring around their neck. Those I captured have slightly darker tones. Will show a shot or two in the coming days.
