Montrose Beach bird-watchers look to next summer in hopes piping plover Imani will return, mate

Imani, an offspring of Monty and Rose at Montrose Beach, in May. (Provided by Tamima Itani)

Since May, the piping plover conservation community in Chicago has been watching Imani, a 1-year-old piping plover ready to mate. However, Imani spent the summer alone. 

“No one showed up for Imani,” said Ann Hetzel Gunkle, a piping plover monitor who is also on the board of the Chicago Audubon Society. “We’re crossing our fingers for next year.”