Wilson’s Snipe

Hello to All,                                                                                      

The winds off the Lake flooded the Outer Harbor, leaving only two Scaup to remain in its SE corner.  The water blew in the Harbor to flood the concrete walk near the water’s edge, and crashed over the wall overlooking the Lake. 

The “Big Find” was made by Cheryl Muth, a relative new birder (isn’t that often the case?), that being the Wilson’s Snipe.  Although considered a Rare Sighting, it has been recorded at this late date in Cook County, according to eBird and Paul Clyne’s private publication of “BIRDS of JACKSON PARK, CHICAGO, February 2010. Congratulations, Cheryl!

BIRDERS:      7          (1) David T. – Hyde Parker –first Bird Walk, (2) Mark N. & (3) Sandra N. dear friends and former Wooded Island Regulars, now residents of New York City. (4) Jennie S., (5) Cheryl M., (6) Karin D., & (7) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.          

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Overcast. Light drizzle. Temperature 37 to 39 F. Winds ESE 15 to 19 mph, Wind Chill 29          

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  17

1.     Canada Goose  110

2.     Mallard  6     Seen in male/female pairs, East & West Lagoons.

3.     Common Goldeneye  1     Female. 59th St. Marina

4.     Hooded Merganser  8     4 males with 4 females. East Lagoon. Males in perfect plumage.

5.     Common Merganser  1     Female. East Lagoon. Spotted one for the past couple of weeks, mixed in with other merganser species.

6.     Red-breasted Merganser  8

7.     Wilson's Snipe  1     Flushed from the shore of Bobolink Meadow. Startled birder who saw and heard its call in flight. (Cheryl M.) Seen in flight (Cheryl M & Pat D.), Pale tan underpart, as it flew a foot above the waters of the East Lagoon toward the shore of Wooded Island. All calls of rails were reviewed by Cheryl M. A definite Wilson's Snipe call.

8.     Ring-billed Gull  5     Occasional fly overs.

9.     Double-crested Cormorant  1     Perched on branch over water at south end of Heron Island.  May be the same single cormorant seen during last week Walk.  Hope it is okay. Able to fly and dive.

10.  Red-tailed Hawk  1     Adult. Perched on a branch on the NW side of Darrow Bridge, above path. Did not fly away as the birders approached. Looked cold and miserable. Such a sweet face compared to the flint head Cooper's Hawk. It let us pass without regard.

11.  Downy Woodpecker  4

12.  Northern Flicker  1

13.  American Crow  1

14.  Black-capped Chickadee  2

15.  European Starling  12     Flock in flight. Tight formation.

16.  Dark-eyed Junco  15     Spotted groups NE of Darrow Bridge and at north end of Bobolink Meadow trail.

17.  Northern Cardinal  2

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 in the south parking lot of the Museum of Science and Industry

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 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.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Wooded Island Bird Walks