Four piping plover chicks hatched on Montrose Beach on Tuesday, potentially continuing the plover family of Sea Rocket and Imani one more generation, according to plover monitors.
The chicks can feed themselves and move about on their own as soon as they hatch, though they can’t regulate body temperature and often stay near a parent because of it, according to the group.
“It’s remarkable how much they can do for themselves right out of the gate,” said Tamima Itani, a lead plover monitor. But “the survival of the chicks is entirely dependent on their ability to feed. And when people get close, they stop feeding and run into vegetation to hide.”
She said she’s enjoyed watching the day-old chicks run along the beach. But Wednesday’s threat of severe weather concerns her.
“I’ll be honest, I’m worried about the weather,” she said.
The monitors have asked people to give the chicks some distance, pick up their trash and keep dogs on leashes outside the designated area at Montrose Beach.
A community naming contest will be held soon for the young birds, though details have yet to be announced.
Imani is the son of plover couple Monty and Rose, who joined the pantheon of famed Chicago animals when they nested at Montrose Beach seven years ago.
Sea Rocket, who was reared in captivity, was released at the same beach in July 2023, two years after Imani was hatched there.
Imani and Sea Rocket had three chicks last summer. One of the chicks, Ferris, was killed by a hawk; El and Bean survived. Nagamo was the only one of the couple’s four chicks hatched in 2024 to survive.
Piping plovers nearly went extinct in the Great Lakes region, and have been on the federal endangered species list for 40 years. Conservation work across the Great Lakes, initially in Michigan, has helped to rebuild the population.
The monitors are aware of 90 plover pairs across the Great Lakes this year, up from the previous record of 88 last year, according to Itani. The growth in numbers is pushing the birds closer to coming off the endangered list.
“It’s been extremely rewarding to see the overall numbers grow in the Great Lakes,” Itani said. “We’re definitely progressing.”
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The day we have waited for, worked for has come! All 4 chicks have hatched. Our work carries on as we continue to support Sea Rocket and Imani and their chicks. Thank you, as always, for your support.📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (June 15, 2026, eggshell flown from nest)
— Chicago Piping Plovers (@chicagopiping.bsky.social) 2026-06-16T11:48:21.505Z