Piping plovers at Montrose Beach, (c) Chicago Tribune
Join RBD volunteers as we unite with the COS to make our beach habitat attractive to the piping plover! In 2019, two of these amazing endangered birds (Monty and Rose) nested at Montrose Beach Dunes for the first time. We hope that they or their offspring will find Rainbow Beach Dunes as nice a place to make a nest and raise a family.
From Chicago Ornithological Society:
“Chicago is home to numerous beaches, many of which are home to incredible natural areas with the potential to host nesting piping plovers. Rainbow Beach is one such beach, a site visited by migrating plovers annually, and deemed by experts to be the most promising possible additional nesting site in Chicago.
To prepare for the return of plovers to Chicago and help address one of the biggest threats to plovers and shorebirds across the Great Lakes, we’re going to do some spring cleaning.
On EARTH DAY, Saturday, April 23rd, 2022, join us for a beach clean up at Rainbow Beach. All are welcome and no prior experience or equipment necessary but RSVP is required.
10:00am – https://forms.gle/q458Joz8kCvsQrKq5
10:30am – https://forms.gle/Uhzk6ztHtzi53FcF7
11:00am – https://forms.gle/wCSDFXZWAfZBhnnb8
11:30am – https://forms.gle/Xm83Sw3k3qwpEf4E6
To help keep group size manageable, maintain social distancing, protect the sensitive habitat, and maximize our efforts, we ask that volunteers sign up for one of four rolling time slots above: 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, or 11:30am.
To RSVP, please click on the google registration form associated with your preferred time slot. If the form is closed, then that time slot has reached capacity.
Once you have signed up, we will be reaching out via email with important workday information such as where to meet and what to bring. If you have any questions, please contact us at ActionDays@sheddaquarium.org.
This event is proudly organized by the following partners: the stewards of Rainbow Beach, Rainbow Beach Park Advisory Council, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Audubon Society, Illinois Ornithological Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, IL Department of Natural Resources, and the Chicago Park District.
Some background on the Piping Plovers:
In 2019, a pair of endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers arrived at Montrose Beach and made history as they began nesting. In spite of numerous challenges and with the help of countless volunteers, the pair dubbed Monty and Rose, successfully raised a family and returned do so again in 2020 and 2021. Since then, their many young have started their own lives, such as Nish who made history of his own by being the first plover to nest in Ohio in over 80 years.
As we eagerly anticipate Monty and Rose’s return for a fourth year, and celebrate as they raise generations of Chicago style plovers, we are looking to the future.”
…Want to support the Rainbow Beach Park community and learn about all kinds of events and programs in the Park? Join the Rainbow Beach Park Advisory Council, attend a meeting on the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30, and certainly visit their Facebook page to learn more.…
- Rainbow Beach Park runs parallel to South Shore Drive from 75th-79th Streets.
- By foot, or from the #6 bus stop, walk east from South Shore Dr. on 77th St.
- By car, you can only access the park at the southern end, from Hwy 41 at Farragut.
- From the north/west, follow Hwy 41 east as it splits from South Shore Drive at 79th St. Turn left into the park at Farragut.
- From the south, follow Hwy 41 north and turn right on Farragut, just before the intersection of 79th/South Shore.
Once in the park, go past the stop sign and water filtration plant and turn right at the next opportunity, into the parking lot before the Fieldhouse.
Go to the far right corner of the first parking lot/southern end of the beach to the entrance of the Nature Area. Meet at the banner! Find directions and a map here.
Rainbow Beach Dunes 