Willet (click to see the larger version).

Shorebird migration has been underway for about a week now, with Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Willets being seen. These are usually the first shorebirds to return. I saw and photographed the adult bird pictured to the right inside the protected area at the east end of the beach.

On a related note, the Chicago Park District fenced off Montrose Dunes on the west and south sides for the extended July 4th weekend to protect it from the thousands of concertgoers attending the WaveFront festival. This was a good thing.