The 12 best TWiB posts of 2024
Piping Plovers, Loggerhead Shrikes, and Clay-colored Sparrows
The past year was a banner year for the endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover—both regionally and locally. Two pairs of the shorebirds nested successfully on Illinois’ Lake Michigan shores, which would have been unthinkable even five years ago.
But a ceremony at Uptown Library in April is something that has really stuck with me. Uptown’s long been one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Chicago, and that was underscored by the group of people who came from all corners of the city for a mural dedication. The artwork served as a tribute to the neighborhood Piping Plovers Monty and Rose—and to migration more broadly, including human migration. Was there anyone in 2024 celebrating immigration? There were on April 20 in Uptown, which welcomed migrants to a new shelter in recent years.
Considering that everyone in the U.S. is an immigrant—save for Native Americans—maybe we should start celebrating immigration more frequently in the future.
Top five posts (by views)
Plovers get dragged into rat hole
What made the story of Monty and Rose great was its authenticity. Piping Plovers returning to nest on Chicago shores after a 71-year absence was an incredible thing. It was a joy to watch and an opportunity to educate birders and non-birders alike about a fairly obscure species.
Spring arrival dates for common birds
This February seems to be even drearier than usual. It may be because it’s one of the mildest in 150 years. Or that the lack of snow and ice—just 3.9% percent of the Great Lakes are frozen—is making this February even more muted.
It's wise to be thoughtful around owls
It’s the time of year to re-visit some of the guidelines for engaging with owls in the field.
Stump is magical again: Prairie Falcon returns for 14th year
It doesn’t take much for humans to be welcoming to nature. In this case, it’s leaving a lone tree stump—the only tree within a single square mile.
Breaking: Imani's wait for mate may be over
For two long summers, Imani the Piping Plover waited on Montrose Beach for a female to arrive. Now the endangered shorebird may have finally found a mate.
Seven other favorite posts
These posts weren’t viewed as much, but in my opinion, they’re worth re-visiting. This one from August 12 was one of my favorites, looking for some of the last breeding Clay-colored Sparrows in the state (“Sparrow search is an early Christmas present”).
Here are the best of the rest:
March 11, “A return visit to Bell Bowl Prairie”
May 13, “Assessing my spring migration predictions”
June 3, “Humans at loggerheads (with shrikes) again”
September 9, “The Niagara Escarpment really is a hidden gem”
August 26, “A visit with the other plovers”
September 23, “AI is for the birds”
Thanks, as always, for reading This Week in Birding in 2024! Your positive responses to these posts—and subscriptions, of course—are what keep this effort going. Wishing you a happy, healthy 2025.
Especially loved your reporting on the stump and the plovers. Yes on immigration celebrations and you are incredibly talented writer, bird lover. Thank you for your work in 2024 and helping me understand priorities and natures beauty. Much aloha…