Fox32 Chicago’s recent segment about a young black-crowned night heron perched on a River North window ledge was a fun story. But it also revealed something surprising: Most viewers had no idea that a state-endangered bird has chosen to make Chicago home.
For two decades, they have returned each spring to nest in Lincoln Park, raising their young in the heart of one of America’s largest cities. Their numbers tell an important story. In 1992, an estimated peak of more than 1,600 adult black-crowned night herons were recorded in the Calumet region. This year, the colony reached a peak count of approximately 455 adults, a stark contrast to the historic Calumet numbers and a reminder of the challenges these birds face.
Despite the challenges they face, the herons continue to choose Chicago. They continue to raise their chicks here, forage along our rivers, lagoons and lakefront, and remind us that wildlife can still thrive in an urban landscape when we make room for it.
For the past three years, volunteers with the Chicago Black-crowned Night Heron Project have met thousands of people who were amazed to learn these remarkable birds live among us. Their reaction is almost always the same: “I had no idea.”
Perhaps that’s the real story. These herons haven’t given up on Chicago. They’re still here, waiting for us to notice them and to recognize that their future in Illinois depends, in part, on the choices we make today.
Amy Lardner, founder, Chicago Black-crowned Night Heron Project
Good and bad sportsmanship
Last weekend’s golf and soccer championships proved again that sports are a reflection of life.
The Good: Ryan Fox, who won the British Open, coped with two horribly bad breaks on the finishing holes with equanimity. Under great pressure, he had the courage and ability to win with a birdie on the brutally difficult final hole.
The Bad: Bryson DeChambeau whined like a petulant child about British Open rules, thereby considerably delaying the entire field, and apparently threatened to withdraw from the event and/or to enlist the aid of Donald Trump, who has a history of meddling in sporting events and has demonstrated on and off the golf course his belief that if one is not cheating, one is not competing.
The Ugly: A tie between Trump, who tried to elbow his way into Spanish team’s victory celebration in the World Cup, and the Argentina team’s disregard for sportsmanship and civility after the match.
These are lessons to be learned about how and how not to behave.
William P. Gottschalk, Lake Forest
Perseverance on parade
I work in a snack shop in Chicago that is owned by a visually challenged man. His disability has never stopped him from pursuing his dreams. There are thousands like him. It will be their moment to shine at Saturday’s Chicago Disability Pride Parade. They deserve it.
Terrence Camodeca, Orland Park
Close 4 a.m. bars
After the closure of the Dime in Lincoln Park, it’s time for the city to outlaw 4 a.m. liquor licenses. Those bars have long been a source of crime, and there’s no justification for allowing them to serve alcohol that late. The only justification is money the bar owners “donate” to City Council members.
Tom Vega-Byrnes, Beverly