Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 4:12pm
Event date:
Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 8:00am
Location:
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Hello to All,
The big news and group regret: Mark and Sandra Nunnally are relocating to the Big Apple, but will maintain a foothold in Chicago. These world travelers have added so much to the enjoyment of the Saturday morning bird walks. I know that when they are birding in Central Park they will recall the mellow group of birders in The Prairie State. Hopefully, we will hold our own in such a comparison.
BIRDER: 13. (1) Jennie S., (2) Eric G., (3) Mark and (4) Sandra N., (5) Carol S and (6) Demayne M. – new to Bird Walk, from Evanston, (7) Tracy W., our photographer, (8) Raman S., (9) Karin C., (10) Karin D., (11) Mark and (12) Emma W., and (13) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
PLACES: Bobolink Meadow, Inner & Outer Harbor and Lakefront
WEATHER: Mostly Sunny. Temperature 27 – 37 F., Winds SW 5 – 10 mph
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 18
ROSS’S GOOSE – 1. Seen by Mark Webster as I sped down Lake Shore Drive. Relocated by Eric Ginsburg. Unable to find by later birders who read the IBET post.
Canada Goose – X
CANVASBACK – 2. Male & Female. Outer Harbor.
Mallard – X. Males are looking mighty fine.
Common Goldeneye – 1. 59th St. Marina
Red-breasted Merganser – X. Scattered on Lake & Outer Harbor.
American Coot – 2. Hugging the south wall of Outer Harbor.
Ring-billed Gull – X.
Herring Gull –X. Outer Harbor.
Downy Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow.
Hairy Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow.
American Crow – X.
Black-capped Chickadee – X. Bobolink Meadow. Males are belting out mating call.
American Robin – X.
European Starling – 4.
Dark-eyed Junco – 1.
Northern Cardinal – 1.
American Goldfinch – X.
X = commonly seen and/or not counted.
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 more than a year. 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. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.
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