Hello to All,
♫Egrets (Regrets), I’ve a few, but then again, too few to mention.♫
In this report my regret is not being able to nail down the identification of the three large swans. It would have made a contribution to the Checklist of Jackson Park, complied by Paul Clyne. Another experienced birder also saw the three swans, and even attached a photo on his eBird report, but he too left the call as a Swan species.
BIRDERS: 7. (1) Bruce McC., (2) Gary M., (3) Imad Q., (4) Marian N., (5) Cheryl M., (6) Eric G., and (7) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
PLACES: Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow
DISTANCE: 2 miles
WEATHER: Sunny. Temperature 50 to 60 F, Wind SSE 6 to 13 mph
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 32 (+ 3 other taxa)
1. Canada Goose 205
2. swan sp. 3 Three large pure white swans flew over the birders that were gathering at the start of the Walk. They were flying low, about 40 feet above the ground. They were flying from the Lakefront over Wooded Island and heading west. Much discussion followed on that day and during the week. The swans did not make a sound. Birders swore that the bills were black without the orange bump at the base of the bill. This eliminated Mute Swan. But they were large birds of Mute or Trumpeter size. Three Trumpeter Swans are reported in the Lake Calumet area. Two Tundra Swans were reported two days later in Yorkville, IL. Based on large size, my guess would be Trumpeter Swans. Pat Durkin
3. Wood Duck 4 Males are back to looking mighty handsome.
4. Pied-billed Grebe 2
5. Ring-billed Gull 1
6. Double-crested Cormorant 19
7. Great Blue Heron 3
8. Great Egret 2
9. Cooper's Hawk 2
10. Red-tailed Hawk 1
11. hawk sp. 1 Perched on tree north of the 59th St. Marina
12. Belted Kingfisher 1 Perched in silence on a branch over the east north central shore of Wooded Island.
13. Downy Woodpecker 6
14. Northern Flicker 1
15. Blue Jay 1
16. American Crow 23 Big Crow Day. Groups were flying about and calling. There were hawks in the area but some of this activity seemed other than hawk harassment.
17. Black-capped Chickadee 5
18. Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
19. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
20. Winter Wren 1
21. European Starling 6
22. Gray Catbird 1
23. Brown Thrasher 1
24. Hermit Thrush 5
25. American Robin 3
26. thrush sp. 2 One was called out as a Swainson's Thrush, which would trigger a rare sighting report due to date and location. Don't recall full details or who made the call.
27. American Goldfinch 6
28. Fox Sparrow 2
29. White-crowned Sparrow 2
30. White-throated Sparrow 7
31. Song Sparrow 2
32. Swamp Sparrow 1
33. Palm Warbler 1
34. Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
35. Northern Cardinal 3
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.
Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.
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 East 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 East Parking Lot.
Parking and 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
Chicago Audubon Society Representative