One of Americas Best Birding Spots (Montrose Point)

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Chicago, Illinois is regularly ranked among the top 10 birding hotspots in the entire country. In this video, we traveled from Wisconsin to investigate why thousands of birders flock here every spring. From rare species like the burrowing owl and Western Cattle Egret to the endangered Great Lakes piping plovers, this tiny urban sanctuary produces sightings that rival remote wilderness areas. You will learn about the famous Magic Hedge, a dense thicket of honeysuckle that was originally planted by Cold War soldiers stationed at a Nike missile site on this very location. After the base was decommissioned, the vegetation grew wild and created one of the most powerful migrant traps in the Midwest. We also explore the dedicated piping plover conservation program, the community of birders who share sightings instantly, and what you can expect when you visit during peak migration. If you love discovering hidden wildlife gems in unexpected places, hit subscribe and join us every week as we explore secret birding hotspots across the country. Thanks for watching Wings of Nature. #Birding #ChicagoNature #MontrosePoint #PipingPlover #BirdMigration #WingsOfNature 0:00 Introduction 0:54 Arriving at Montrose Point 2:42 The Magic Hedge Origin 4:12 Burrowing Owl Found 5:24 Piping Plovers on the Beach 6:54 Inside the Magic Hedge 8:24 Leucistic Grackle Luke