Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 11/20/2016 - 5:46pm
Event date:
Saturday, November 19, 2016 - 8:00am
Location:
-
Hello to All,
The strong winds made the cold that much more penetrable. With proper layering of clothing, one could endure and watch for birds. We quickened our pace today because of the dearth of birds along the way.
A single bird was seen on Wooded Island – a Dark-eyed Junco.
Seven mature trees were cut down in the area north of Wooded Island. There is no stopping the utter destruction of what were once Wooded Island and its surrounding area.
The Outer Harbor still holds Buffleheads and Scaup.
After brunch in Whiting, IN, a few of us continue on to Gibson Woods in Hammond, INfor solace and the company of birds. The Red-shoulder Hawk is still around.
BIRDERS: 5. (1) Jennie S., (2) Eric G., (3) Karin D., (4) Tracy W., (5) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
DISTANCE: 2 Miles
PLACES: Wooded Island, North, East & West Lagoons, Soccer Field, Bobolink Meadow
WEATHER: Overcast. Snow flurries early on. Strong gusty winds WNW 25 – 35 mph, Temperature 37 -40 F., Humidity 67%, Dew Point 26 degrees.
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 12
X = commonly seen and/or not counted.
Canada Goose X Several hundred on lagoons, in flight and on the driving range.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 East Lagoon
Great Blue Heron 4
Ring-billed Gull 1 Occasional Fly overs.
Downy Woodpecker 1 Male
Northern Flicker 3 A Flicker dug for ants along the edge of the wood chip path through Bobolink Meadow
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Heard.
American Tree Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
American Goldfinch 6
This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.
Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.
Recordings are not used to attract birds.
This report will be recorded on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.
The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round.Newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.
The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.
Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.
Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.
Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.
Best of Birding to All,
Patricia Durkin