Chicago Piping Plovers
@chicagopiping.bsky.social
The offical account for Chicago Piping Plover news and content. Media inquiries email piperwatch@chicagobirder.org.
Chicago has proven that when we all rally together, we can protect our most vulnerable wildlife. Our dedication to protect our nesting Piping Plovers shows the world what compassionate urban conservation looks like. We’ve proven that protective spirit on the beach, and now let’s take it to the sky!
We 🤍 Your Questions! Keep them coming. Updates and answers to recent questions. 🤍 Frankie continues this morning at Montrose and Buddy was seen in Waukegan late yesterday. 1/3 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Frankie, Montrose Beach, August 2, 2026)
Just Like Mama and Papa! Hatch-year plovers may start migration by exploring local and regional beaches and that is exactly what Buddy and Frankie's parents did their hatch years!
Frankie is back at Montrose! Frankie was at Miller Beach in Gary, Indiana on Friday and is back at Montrose today (Sunday) with another hatch-year Great Lakes Piping Plover [O,V:X,V (Bdot)] that had been continuing at Miller Beach for a few days before Frankie's arrival.
2027 Breeding Season, Here We Come! Thank you, always, for your support on the beach/pier at Montrose, online, and in your charitable giving. It allows for what is now generations of Great Lakes Piping Plovers to thrive in Chicago. 1/2
Frankie has kicked off their first migration,* and every wingbeat is a four-on-the-floor pulse, carrying them south toward warmer waters. Chicago gave the world house music through the pioneering DJ-producer Frankie Knuckles, and now it’s sending his namesake fledgling out into the world too. 1/2
Damn Right, I've Got the Peep-los Our best wishes to the one and only Buddy Guy as he celebrates his 90th birthday today! His namesake Chicago Piping Plover fledgling Buddy is also marking a special milestone, having started their first migration. 🎥: Tamima Itani (Imani and Buddy, Montrose, 7/2026)
Fair Winds and Safe Travels, Imani Our beloved Imani has begun his southward migration; a natural undertaking as old as his species. 1/4 📸: Denise Poloyac (Imani, 2026)
Over 25% of Goal! Thank you, always, for your support on the beach/pier at Montrose, online, and in your charitable giving. It allows for what is now generations of Great Lakes Piping Plovers to thrive in Chicago. 1/2 📸: Tamima Itani (Imani and Buddy, Montrose, July 25, 2026)
Imani, Buddy, and Frankie continue to enjoy time on both the public and protected beaches at Montrose. Thank you for sharing the shore with your Chicago Piping Plovers! 🤍 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Frankie, Montrose Beach, July 19, 2026)
The Imani 5 Imani turned 5 this year! Your consideration of a $5 donation to the Chicago Piping Plover Fund in his honor is appreciated. Your charitable contribution supports the human and other resources needed for monitor management and education outreach. 📸: Denise Poloyac
Hey, Buddy! Imani, Buddy, and Frankie continue to enjoy time on both the public and protected beaches at Montrose. Thank you for sharing the shore with your Chicago Piping Plovers! 🤍 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Buddy, Montrose Beach, July 19, 2026)
Between Public and Protected Chicago’s fledgling, Frankie, pauses right along the fence separating the public beach from the protected nesting sanctuary. A pause, a moment of contemplation. 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Frankie, Montrose Beach, July 19, 2026)
From wobbly first flaps to confident flights, it’s a progression you helped make possible, Chicago. Buddy and Frankie are acing flight training! 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Buddy, Montrose Beach, July 19, 2026)
Buddy having a snoozle under the watchful eye of best dad Imani. 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Buddy and Imani, Montrose Protected Beach, July 19, 2026)
Beachgoer Appreciation Post! 💛 As monitors, we witness so many beautiful sights - 1/3 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Frankie, Montrose Beach, July 19, 2026)
Flight Training continues! It is truly beautiful to watch Imani call his chicks to flight. Buddy and Frankie are following papa's lead. 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers
At 1-month-old your fledglings Buddy and Frankie (pictured) are doing well. With adventuresome spirits and guidance from papa Imani, flight training continues! Thank you, as always, for giving your Chicago Piping Plovers space to feed and thrive! 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Frankie, July 14, 2026)
Wishing Sea Rocket Clear Skies and Safe Travels Friday evening Sea Rocket was seen flying south over the pier at Montrose and has not been observed at Montrose since. Our little momma has begun her migration to her secret wintering grounds. Safe travels, Sea Rocket!
Meet Wilco! Odie! Lucy! Bromley! They are the newest Puppers for Plovers! 🤍🐦🐶 We're thrilled to connect with Montrose's amazing dog community and celebrate the special bond between pups, people, and nature.
This Friday from 9:30-11:30 am reps from Lincoln Park Zoo and Your Monitor Team 🧡 and Your PIPL & Shorebird Outreach Intern Lally 🩵 will be on the walkway between the dog beach and public beach to discuss the Plover Pal campaign. You and your leashed pup can take the pledge to be wildlife-friendly!
DJ Andy Chanley dedicated today's 93XRT Freeform at Four to the naming of the city's piping plover chicks! 93XRT Chicago Piping Plovers Playlist Worthy ~ Mavis Staples Rain Falls ~ Frankie Knuckles featuring Lisa Michaelis Enough ~ Jeff Tweedy Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues ~ Buddy Guy
Celebrating Imani on His Hatch Day Today we celebrate Imani’s hatch day, a small bird with a giant place in Chicago’s heart. So presciently named (his name means faith or belief; sometimes translated as hope), he hatched at Montrose Beach in 2021. 1/2 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers
It is with profound sadness that we report the loss of the chick banded with the green star. Weather conditions have been challenging this season, requiring beach evacuations including one this Saturday, and may have played a role. Together, we mourn the tragic passing of another chick.
Happy 4th and Thank You, Chicago! Your Chicago Piping Plover family and monitors had such a lovely evening last night. We so enjoyed connecting with supporters and meeting folks who were not aware of the family and readily showed their support. 1/2 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers
We are wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend! If you visit Montrose, you will see more of your Chicago Piping Plover Monitors 🧡 there supporting Sea Rocket and Imani in protecting their chicks. 📸: Max Kelly (2026 Montrose chicks photographed end of June)
Grieving Together: A Message of Loss and Hope from Montrose Beach Yesterday, a tiny, shooting star faded into the eternal night. The Piping Plover chick banded with the yellow star has passed away. 1/5
I remember being at Tower Records here in Chicago in the early 90's after a Wilco or Uncle Tupelo in-store and the band was asking where "Tweedy bird" was as they were leaving
Chicago Piping Plovers@chicagopiping.bsky.social · last mo.Meet Buddy, Frankie, Mavis, and Tweedy! Today, each of your 2026 Chicago Piping Plover chicks received their unique leg bands and along with them their name. Here are the names and leg band combinations. 1/3
