Snowy Plover Spotted In Chicago For Only Second Time Ever
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's a rare bird in these parts: For only the second time ever, a snowy plover has been spotted in Chicago, reports WBBM's Steve Miller.
All of a sudden this week, the Montrose Point bird sanctuary was a busy place. Busy with birders after a snowy plover was spotted there on Sunday night and on Monday.
"There was a steady stream of birders going there, starting at sunrise until it got dark on Monday," said Josh Engel.
Engel is a research assistant at the Field Museum and he's been a birder here for 20 years.
What's the big deal about seeing a snowy plover, you might ask.
"Snowy plovers have been seen in Illinois only about 11 or 12 times ever. And most of the times have been in southern and central Illinois. So it was pretty unusual and exciting for one to show up here."
Engel says the amazing thing is the only other snowy plover that's been seen here in Chicago was on the same date in 2004 and also at Montrose Point.