A trio of plover chickens released in Montrose Beach

Three endangered plover chicks were released into the wild Wednesday at Montrose Beach — the first time captive plover chicks have been released in Chicago.

The three chicks were released in a protected area on Montrose Beach as part of an ongoing recovery effort for piping plovers.

“The support the Chicago community has shown has been a major part of the decision to bring them here,” said Tamima Itani, coordinator for Chicago Piping Plovers.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources took seven chicks from Michigan on Wednesday. In addition to the three currently in Montrose Beach, four others were also released at Illinois Beach State Park.

“This is a very big problem,” Itani said. “A big part of the reason for bringing them here is that the Illinois and Chicago communities have emerged for pipe thinkers.”

The three chicks, named Searocket, Prickley Pear and Wild Indigo, explore their new surroundings on Montrose Beach on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Tamima Itani/Chicago Piping Kettle

Itani, who was there when the birds were released Wednesday morning and will keep a close eye on them every day, said the chicks were just over 30 days old.

“It’s very special that we have the opportunity to monitor them, to see how they react in the wild, how they cope in the wild,” said Itani.

The three chicks, named Searocket, Prickley Pear and Wild Indigo, have been exploring their new surroundings on Montrose Beach. Their name refers to plants native to the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area.

They immediately ran to bathe in the lake as soon as they were released. One also walked to the volleyball court and another checked the pavement, Itani said.

“They have great personalities, it’s really fun to watch,” said Itani.

Imani, Montrose’s famous resident plover, protects the chicks and keeps other birds off the beach, Itani said.

The three chicks, named Searocket, Prickley Pear and Wild Indigo, explored their new environment on Montrose Beach on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. They immediately ran to bathe in the lake as soon as they were released.

Tamima Itani/Chicago Piping Kettle

The chicks are from upstate New York. Their nests are not viable – meaning their parents have abandoned them – so the Great Lakes Piping Plovers rescue and incubate them until they are ready to be released.

Itani said he is optimistic the trio will return next year for mating time, which will also determine whether they are male or female.

“The data we have says that 70% of captive-bred chicks return to release sites, so we hope they will come back again,” said Itani. “This helps increase geographic liquefaction and piping diversification of plovers.”

“We hope that if there is a girl among them there will be a match for Imani.”

Itani advises anyone wanting to catch a glimpse of Searocket, Prickley Pear and Wild Indigo to stay at least a football field away from them.