Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 12:11pm
Event date:
Saturday, April 29, 2017 - 8:00am
Location:
-
Hello to All,
We braved the weather and the best birds were waiting for us at the end of our walk. The teals, both Blue-winged and a single male Green-winged Teal saved the day. The Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers and Wood Ducks all looked marvelous.
The Green-winged Teal was the star. He splashed down at the north end of the East Lagoon just as we were heading to our cars. What caught my eye were the cream colored rump feathers. It is the smallest of the dappling ducks. My father told me that it is the fastest flyer. The teal did not stay long before taking off down the lagoon. Maybe it wanted to rendezvous with the Blue-winged Teals.
It was great to see Shannon’s reaction when, after some effort, she was able to locate the Killdeer with her binoculars. The WOW factor with the huge smile -à priceless! It is so much fun to share the joy of birding with the young. Will they remember how special birds are? I hope so.
BIRDERS: 13. (1) Gary M., (2) Chris R., (3) Elaine F., (4) Randy S., (5) Molly L., and (6) daughter Shannon L. from Oak Park, (7) Eric G., (8) Jennie S., (9) Tracy W., (10) Karin D., (11) Dan M. from San Francisco, (12) Raman S., (13) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
PLACES: Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow and Lagoons
DISTANCE: Two miles
WEATHER: Cloudy. Cold. Windy. Temperature steady at 45 F. Winds off the Lake. NNE 10 – 15 mph.
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 37
Canada Goose 18
Wood Duck 4
Gadwall 2
Mallard 13
Blue-winged Teal 15 Male & Female in a single flock in East Lagoon.
Northern Shoveler 2 East Lagoon near Blue-winged Teal flock of 11
Green-winged Teal 1 Male. North end of East Lagoon. Flew in. Stayed briefly, then flew off south.
Ruddy Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 60
Great Blue Heron 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Killdeer 2 – A pair was seen in the fenced off area NW of the North Bridge onto Wooded Island.
Ring-billed Gull 12 fly overs
Caspian Tern 3
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 8
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 6
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 14
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
White-throated Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 4
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. Randy S. shared his field notes with Pat D. to compile this group checklist.
Photo of the pair of Green-winged Teals downloaded from Wikipedia.
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. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.
Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles. Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.
Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.
Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. 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. Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.
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