Panne (interdunal wetland) fencing at Montrose Beach Dunes * No Sightings *

[Leslie Borns]

Dear ILbirders,

I was asked to post about this because a few people had questions.  Last week the rope/stake fencing was reinstalled around the wetland area at Montrose Beach Dunes.  Each Winter, this fencing is removed so as to not interfere natural elements, then reinstalled in the Spring. This year the fencing was reinstalled in the same configuration as it was in the past few years.  What is different, and what many of you have noticed, is that the pannes have much less standing water this Spring and there are large areas of sand deposition where formerly there was water.

Native dune vegetation has evolved to grow back quickly through sand.  The Chicago Park District and I, after observing recent public activity in the area (continuous walking trampling, sunbathing, camping, barbecuing, hanging out) decided to keep the same fencing configuration for several reasons:  1) to protect existing vegetation and encourage regrowth without interference, 2) to give the migratory and nesting birds the best opportunity to use the existing habitat, and 3) to reduce/eliminate disturbance in the event the breeding Piping Plovers return so that they can consider these areas for nest placement.  We think this is particularly likely because the flat, open sandy areas may be very attractive to the plovers.

New signage is in process and will soon be posted along the rope/stake fencing.

If anyone has any further questions please email me privately. Thank you, and let's celebrate the new season!

Leslie Borns

cak...@att.net

Chicago/Cook

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

                        Sonnet XCVIII, William Shakespeare (1564-1616)