Photo by Eric Ginsburg. iPhone through scope

Hello to All,

The bird discoveries this morning were ho hum until Karin D. spotted the Merlin perched on a branch in the round about area at the Outer Harbor. Every week Karin D. reminds us that we usually find a Merlin in this area at this time of year.  She was right on today. The Merlin was at rest and allowed for great viewing.

Southeast Hotspots:

After brunch at Medici’s Randy S. Karin D. Marian N. and I traveled to the southeast side and visited some hotspots. We saw a total of 14 Bald Eagles, all juveniles except for one adult at Wolf Lake. Another Merlin was also seen at William Powers Conservation Area (Wolf Lake).

Ten Mute Swans floated near a group of nine Trumpeter Swans that included a dark gray immature. Two American Black Ducks were nearby.

The 126th Street Marsh is now declared private property, but the guard let us drive along the creek.  There were over 500 Mallards in the two block long creek and another five American Black Ducks.

Later that evening, we read on IBET that two Snowy Owls were resting on the rocks off of 31st St. Had we known we would have skipped Calumet Park and Steelworker’s Park which had nothing special. At least one Snowy Owl has been spotted the past week.

BIRDERS:      10.       (1) Mark W., (2) Marian N., (3) Steve B., (4) Randy S., complier, (5) Eric G., (6) Jennie S., (7) Cheryl M., (8) Renate G., (9) Karin D, and (10) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.        

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Inner & Outer Harbors

DISTANCE:    2 ¼ miles

WEATHER:    Partly Cloudy. Temperature 30 F.  Wind SW 6 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  19 + 1 other taxa

Wooded Island & Bobolink Meadow:

1.     Canada Goose ~ 200

2.     Common Goldeneye – 2. Males

3.     Red-breasted Merganser – 1.

4.     Herring Gull – 3.

5.     Lauris Species – 1.

6.     American Kestrel – 1.

7.     American Crow – 2.

8.     European Starling – 5.

9.     House Sparrow – 3.

10.  Northern Cardinal – 2. Male & Female.

11.  Northern Flicker – 1.

Inner & Outer Harbors:

1.     Canada Goose ~368.

2.     Mallard – 7.  5 males & 2 females.

3.     Redhead – 13. 11 males & 2 females.

4.     Greater Scaup – 38. 11 males & 27 females.

5.     Bufflehead – 3. 1 male & 2 females.

6.     Common Goldeneye – 27. 12 males, 14 females, 1 sex unknown.

7.     Hooded Merganser – 1. Female.

8.     Red-breasted Merganser – 31. 13 males, 1 female, 17 sex unknown.

9.     Rock Pigeon – 2.

10.  Ring-billed Gull – 30.

11.  Merlin – 1. Female.

12.  American Crow – 4.

13.  House Sparrow – 1.

 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 documented 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.

Metered parking is available in the MSI South Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive 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 MSI South Parking Lot.

Best of Birding to All,                 

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Wooded Island Bird Walks