Hello everyone,
The walk started out with a splendid look at an Olive-sided Flycatcher perched at the top of a dead tree along the north lagoon. The hummingbirds were plentiful in the blooming jewelweed and the chimney swifts seem to be flocking in preparation for their migration. But after the rain started at about 8:45am it became very difficult to see the birds, let alone ID them. To paraphrase Eric, we’ve never been near so many birds that we couldn’t see. There were birds all over the trees but between the rain, haze and poor lighting we could make out silhouettes and very little else in most cases. Most of us gave up at the south end of the Island but Eric and Marissa soldiered on and walked the whole circuit.
And they were rewarded for their efforts with the sighting of a juvenile Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Although I have no proof, the fact that we saw 2 YB Cuckoos consistently over the summer and we now have a juvenile makes me think that that they nested on or around Wooded Island. I hope so anyway.
BIRDERS: Eric, Cheryl, Karin, Marisa, Glyn (for a portion of the walk), Jennie and welcome to Renu and Miyoko.
Compiler: Cheryl, with additions from Eric and Marisa.
TIME: 8:00am to 10:00am
WEATHER: Cloudy, rainy, 60s.
1. Canada Goose Number observed: 27
2. Wood Duck Number observed: 1
3. Mallard Number observed: 8
4. Chimney Swift Number observed: 161
5. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Number observed: 13
6. Ring-billed Gull Number observed: 3
7. Double-crested Cormorant Number observed: 5
8. Great Blue Heron Number observed: 2
Details: 1 of them was walking on the grass very near us at the meeting point on the West side of the basin. Thought it wanted to join us on our walk!
9. Great Egret Number observed: 1
Details: In the West lagoon
10. Green Heron Number observed: 1
11. Black-crowned Night-Heron Number observed: 1 adult in the Japanese Garden and 1 juvenile near the Music bridge.
Details: Surprised us on a rock in the Japanese Garden. We haven’t seen one there in a long time.
12. Belted Kingfisher Number observed: 1
13. Downy Woodpecker Number observed: 2
14. Hairy Woodpecker: 1
15. Olive-sided Flycatcher Number observed: 1
Details: On top of dead tree on the southern side of the Columbia basin. Phone photos through binoculars confirmed the vest on the breast. White patch also visible on lower back.
16. flycatcher sp. (Tyrannidae sp.) Number observed: 2
17. Warbling Vireo Number observed: 1
18. American Crow Number observed: 2
19. Black-capped Chickadee Number observed: 4
20. European Starling Number observed: 15
21. Gray Catbird Number observed: 9
22. Gray-cheeked Thrush Number observed: 1
23. Swainson's Thrush Number observed: 3
24. American Robin Number observed: 5
25. thrush sp. Number observed: 1
26. American Goldfinch Number observed: 3
27. Song Sparrow Number observed: 1
28. Black-and-white Warbler Number observed: 1
29. Nashville Warbler Number observed: 1
30. Common Yellowthroat Number observed: 1
31. American Redstart Number observed: 4
32. Magnolia Warbler Number observed: 1
33. Wilson's Warbler Number observed: 1
34. warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.) Number observed: X
Details: Trees were full of birds. Unfortunately, the rain and lighting made them too difficult to identify.
35. Northern Cardinal Number observed: 12
Details: Several juveniles seen
36. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Number observed: 5
37. Eastern Bluebird: 3, including one juvenile
38. Yellow-billed Cuckoo - juvenile
Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.
Recordings are not used to attract birds.
The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. and cover a distance of two miles. Birders walk from the meeting spot counterclockwise 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. After crossing the Music Bridge birders walk through the parking lot and around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) and return to our meeting spot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront at the Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital and the Inner Harbor after the Wooded Island walk.
Meeting Spot: Birders meet on the west shore of the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon). Park on Stony Island Avenue near 59th Street, walk east across the parkland area, then cross Cornell Drive to reach the spot.
Good birding everyone,
Jennie
Photo: Snow Geese by Dee Langevin/Audubon Photography Awards