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!

Special shout out to Plover Pal Ambassador Dogs Crosby and Parker who led the team with their moms, Chicago Piping Plover Monitors Steva and Barbara, respectively. Chicago is all about protecting wildlife while making new friends along the way!

Today, representatives from Lincoln Park Zoo and Your Chicago Piping Plovers Team welcomed beachgoers and spoke with dog owners who took the Piping Plover Pal Pledge.

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

Imani carries on the legacy of Monty and Rose, our beloved pair whose nesting helped bring Great Lakes piping plovers back to Chicago’s lakefront after decades of absence. 2/2

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)

Wings! Flight training can't come soon enough for this wee one! Happy to report all four chicks are confirmed this morning along with Sea Rocket and Imani. 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (2026 Montrose chick, June 27, 2026)

your moment of zen 🤍 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (Imani with 2 of his 4 chicks, June 25, 2026)

The Montrose 4!🐥🐥🐥🐥 Wednesday, June 24, 2026 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (2026 Montrose chick, June 23, 2026)

Huge Thanks to @vortexopticsuk.bsky.social We have some great news from the beach! A massive shoutout and thank you to Vortex Optics for generously donating a top-of-the-line spotting scope and tripod to your Chicago Piping Plover Monitors at Montrose Beach!

This is what it's all about. 🤍 📸: Chicago Piping Plovers (2026 Montrose chick, Montrose Protected Beach, June 22, 2026)

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