The open waters of Lake Michigan, the beach, and the boat harbor at Montrose can be very productive for a variety of waterbirds. In April and again in November, Common Loons can be seen flying past the Point, especially during strong onshore winds. Occasionally Red-throated Loons are also seen, usually in November. Among the grebes, Horned is a regular visitor in spring and fall, and can sometimes be found close to shore or even inside the boat harbor. Red-necked, Eared, and Western Grebes have also been recorded on a few occasions. Large flights of Double-creasted Cormorants are regular at Montrose, particularly in April and September. Though lacking a marsh, 10 of the 11 heron species recorded in Illinois have been noted at Montrose. Black-crowned Night-Herons are often seen flying up and down the lakefront during summer and Yellow-crowned Night-Herons have been found around the small pond at the north end of Waveland Golf Course in August and September. The hedges and open areas at Montrose Point can be very good for Least and American Bitterns. The Least is invariably found in May, and the American can be found in April and May and again in September and October. Incredibly, all of the rails recorded in Illinois have been found at Montrose. Sora and Virginia Rails are seen every year and King Rails have been found on several occasions. Rails find the grass and underbrush in the Meadow especially attractive. Not surprisingly, 17 species of gulls have been seen at Montrose. Laughing Gulls are regular, especially in the spring, and Franklin's Gulls are regular in the fall. Occasionally, large numbers of Franklin's are seen along the lakefront in late October and November when there is a strong west wind. Thayer's and Glaucous Gulls can be found in late fall and winter, and Iceland Gulls are also sometimes seen. Lesser Black-backed Gulls are regular at Montrose and can be found at almost any time of the year. Caspian Terns are regular visitors from April to late September. In May and September, Common and Forster's Terns can be seen migrating along the lakefront at Montrose or even roosting on the beach with gulls.
