Adult Brown Creeper

Photo by David Turgeon – Cornell Lab Macaulay Library

Brown Creeper Song Video https://youtu.be/72mJdfvCa64

Brown Creeper Nest Video https://youtu.be/Xq9iJxwzux8

Hello to All,

There was a busy Brown Creeper searching the bark of the oak trees east of the North Lagoon (MSI Basin) They are not known to nest in Illinois, but there may be a few nesting discoveries near the Wisconsin border.  Jennie S. gave me a daily Cornell calendar for Christmas. The Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) was the star for February 13, 2020. There are other creepers around the world.  But this darling is the sole creeper for North America. Their song is said to sound like “trees, trees, beautiful trees.” See what you think when you listen to the video.  What I found so amazing is that the Brown Creeper builds a hammock-shaped nest behind peeling bark.  That is fantastic! A true “tree hugger”! Creepers are not creepy. They are awesome tree lovers.

BIRDERS:      8.         (1) Marian N., (2) Cheryl M., (3) Eric G., (4) Jennie S., (5) Mark W., (6) Rick R., (7) Karin D., and (8) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Outer Harbor

DISTANCE:    2 ¼ miles

WEATHER:    Overcast. Windy. Temperature 23 to 31 F., Wind SSW 14 to 25 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  12

Wooded Island & Bobolink Meadow:

1.     Brown Creeper – 1.

2.     Downy Woodpecker – 3

3.     Black-capped Chickadee – 4

4.     Canada Goose – 79 in North Lagoon.  Cheryl M. counted.

5.     Common Merganser – 1. North Lagoon reported by Marian N.

6.     White-throated Sparrow – 2

7.     Common Goldeneye – 1 – 59th St. Harbor

Outer Harbor:

1.     American Crow – 2

2.     Greater Scaup – X

3.     Common Goldeneye – 2

4.     Canada Goose – X

5.     Herring Gull – 2

6.     Hooded Merganser – 2. 1 male & 1 female near viaduct to Inner Harbor. Eric G.

7.     Redhead - 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.

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