Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 10/09/2017 - 9:01pm

Event date:

Saturday, October 7, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Greetings everyone!

It was a surprisingly small group of birders on a lovely October morning, and we didn’t have an abundance of birds either, but our treat at the end of the walk made up for it.  As we were about to leave Bobolink Woods, our photographer friend Dan came along and told us about the Great Horned Owl that was resting high up in one of the trees. He found it by accident – he went into the woods and looked up to see what he might find, and lo and behold, there was the owl! He took us to a great viewing spot and got us all on the bird.  What a gorgeous creature!  Many thanks to Dan for taking the time to find us and tell us about his amazing find.

BIRDERS:      7;  Gary, Marie, Eric, Peter, Bruce, Karin D. and Jennie

TIME:             8:00am to 10:30am

PLACES:        Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow

WEATHER:    Sunny, breezy, high 60s to low 70s

My apologies to the listers among us, but I don’t keep a tally of the number of each species.

Great Blue Heron

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Cooper’s Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull (flyover)

GREAT HORNED OWL!

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Winter Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Black and White Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Northern Cardinal

House Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

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 recorded 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 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Jennie Strable, sitting in for Pat today

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 12:53pm

Event date:

Saturday, September 9, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

We were treated to an encore performance by Team Eastern Bluebirds. This week they staged their performance on and near the east fence bordering the soccer field. See below for more comments.

Warbler numbers were scant, but a few new species were found.  Of note was the Blue-winged Warbler and the duo, ortrio, Pine Warblers.

Several Great Black Wasps were working the plants along the trail in Bobolink Meadow.  According to a resource found by Eric G. the wasps "may look mean but are disinterested in humans" and a benefit to a garden.

BIRDERS:      11.       (1) Karin C., (2) Jennie S., (3) Gary M., (4) Bruce McC., (5) Marian N., (6) Steve B., (7) Laurie & (8) Marilyn M., (9) Eric G., (10) Karin D., (11) Ben S. newly returned from two months volunteering at a Eco lodge in Peru, and this morning’s Lake Michigan pelagic trip with nil sightings, (12) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 62 – 69 F. Wind NE 5 – 15mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  39

1. Canada Goose  39

2. Wood Duck  7

3. Mallard  28

4. Pied-billed Grebe  1     Spotted in the East Lagoon from the Music Bridge by Ben S.

5. Double-crested Cormorant  8

6. Great Blue Heron  6

7. Cooper's Hawk  1     Perched on an oak tree branch, at the SW end of Wooded Island, just off the center wooded path.

8. Ring-billed Gull  6

9. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  13

10. Chimney Swift  6

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

12. Downy Woodpecker  1

13. Northern Flicker  1

14. Eastern Wood-Pewee  3

15. Eastern Kingbird  1

16. Warbling Vireo  2

17. American Crow  6

18. Black-capped Chickadee  5

19. White-breasted Nuthatch  3

20. Eastern Bluebird  4     What a wonderful sight! This group posed on the top bar of the fence at the east end of the soccer field.  They would fly off the bar and grab a bug snack, then back up on the bar.  We were enthralled.  With their medium blue capes and orange vests, they are the most beautiful of creatures to behold. At the base of a fence a dozen Palm Warblers were feasting on the numerous gnats and other bugs.  Just a sheer delight to see!

21. Swainson's Thrush  2

22. American Robin  13

23. thrush sp.  4

24. Gray Catbird  3

25. Cedar Waxwing  4

26. Northern Waterthrush  2     Spotted by Jennie S. & Eric G. along the south portion of the shore - Japanese Garden.

27. Blue-winged Warbler  1     Possibly two. Found by Eric G. in a large oak tree in the center of Wooded Island.  This tree is best observed from the gravel path that cuts east-west across the center of the cement paths, and is north of the Old Rose Garden area.  This large oak also hosted a trio of White-breasted Nuthatches.

28. Black-and-white Warbler  1

29. Tennessee Warbler  1

30. Nashville Warbler  1

31. American Redstart  3

32. Magnolia Warbler  1

33. Blackpoll Warbler  2

34. Palm Warbler  9     A large group eating bugs on the grass at the east end of the soccer field.

35. Pine Warbler  2     Japanese Garden. First seen in the skinny tall pine tree on the north side of the pavilion.  Then the couple cavorted in a nearby tree hanging over the west end of the pavilion. Most birders saw the pair.  Where to look for a Pine Warbler? Try a pine tree.

36. Wilson's Warbler  1

37. Northern Cardinal  2

38. American Goldfinch  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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at  Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 09/11/2017 - 12:17pm

Event date:

Saturday, September 2, 2017 - 8:30am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

For the past few weeks, it has crossed my mind that the highlights of our Bird Walk, begins and ends at the south side of the Museum of Science and Industry. One week, we discovered the successful brood of Green Herons, with four offspring.  Then there were the Phoebes and Pewees in the same shrub.  And this week, we discovered a group of four Eastern Bluebirds!

Warbler and thrush migration has been skimpy. 

We don’t often see American Kestrels, but today we had three. The big falcon, the Peregrine, gets all the glory, but this littlest of falcons is by far the most colorful, compared to the monochromic Peregrine. 

BIRDERS:      11        (1) Jennie S., (2) Hal C., (3) Bruce McC., (4) Marian N., (5) Gary M., (6) Dan L., (7) Eric G., (8) Erica D., (9) Otha M., (10) Karin D., (11) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

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

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 62 – 72 F. With no wind, and in the sun, it felt like the temperature was in the 70”s F., Officially, the wind was 0 – 5 from the ENE.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  37

1. Canada Goose  36     Groups of 6 to 10 flew overhead. Others seen in the lagoons.

2. Wood Duck  2

3. Mallard  24

4. Double-crested Cormorant  4

5. Great Blue Heron  1

6. Green Heron  6

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

8. Cooper's Hawk  2     The first sighting was near the Museum.  The second sighting was of a hawk perched at the south end, across from Wooded Island.  This is a favorite hidden spot for the Cooper's Hawk.  He hunts along the shoreline.

9. Ring-billed Gull  3

10. Chimney Swift  100     Large numbers flying low over the south end of the east lagoon at 8 a.m. Vanished by 10 a.m.

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

12. Belted Kingfisher  1

13. Downy Woodpecker  4

14. Hairy Woodpecker  1     Reported by Jennie S. & Hal C. at the south end of Bobolink Meadow.

15. Northern Flicker  1     A champion fighter with a kestrel.  It was not backing off and repeatedly engaged in aerial combat with the little but mighty falcon.

16. American Kestrel  3     The first was seen flying around the Museum.  A crow held the falcon in check on the top of a dome, until reinforcements arrived to chase the falcon off the dome. A duo was spotted on the soccer goal crossbar, and later on the fence.  One kestrel jostled with a Northern Flicker for a long time, while birders risked sun stroke in the baking rays. It was quite a show.  Kestrel numbers have declined.  Their predator is the Cooper's Hawk.  Hope their paths did not cross.  Kestrels are the most colorful falcon.

17. Eastern Phoebe  5

18. Eastern Kingbird  1     Reported by Eric G

19. Warbling Vireo  2

20. American Crow  2

21. Barn Swallow  6     Bug hunting over the soccer field.

22. White-breasted Nuthatch  1     SE end of Wooded Island.

23. House Wren  1     Reported by Dan L.

24. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

25. Eastern Bluebird  4     Juveniles along the south end of Museum. At one point all four were in the same tree.  Departed southward.

26. Swainson's Thrush  1     Dan L took a photo.

27. American Robin  17     A dozen played in a puddle at the SE corner of the soccer field, at the turn in the fence.

28. Gray Catbird  3

29. European Starling  12     Eric G. saw a group in the Willow Tree near the SE corner of the soccer field that were chased away by a mighty Eastern Kingbird.

30. Cedar Waxwing  5

31. Magnolia Warbler  1     Center path on Wooded Island.

32. Yellow Warbler  1     Wooded Island reported by Hal C.

33. Wilson's Warbler  1     Center path on Wooded Island, nearer to the north end.

34. Song Sparrow  1     Reported by Eric G

35. Northern Cardinal  7

36. Indigo Bunting  1     Reported to Eric G. by Peter K.

37. American Goldfinch  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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 08/27/2017 - 9:24am

Event date:

Saturday, August 19, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

We missed the gurgling contented sounds of our Purple Martins. They have begun their migration south from their summer homes in Jackson Park. As we stood near the white houses, now with empty porches and perches, a pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks flew low over our heads.  Hal Cohen, the “Hawk Guy”, confirmed the identification. The photo above is from the National Audubon website.

Sharp-shinned Hawks are the smallest in size of the Accipiter group. They are the most migratory. Their tail end differs from a Cooper’s Hawk. The Sharp-shinned Hawk has a straight cut across the end of its’ tail feathers. The Cooper’s Hawk’s tail is looped.

The Japanese Garden on Wooded Island is roughly halfway on our circuit. We usually linger there awhile. The pavilion provides a nice sitting area. Bruce McCullogh treated us to a slide show he had prepared for the residents of The Breakers, a high rise retirement community along the lakefront.  As Bruce sat on a rock, the birders, joined by visitors in the Garden, perched on the pavilion, Bruce went through the slides and sounds.  The show was of birds that could be found within a mile of The Breakers.  First a photo would appear, then the name of the species would be displayed below the photo, then the song or call of the bird would be heard. There were about three dozen species. It was fantastic! Everyone applauded. A non-birder became a birder and wants to join the Walks.

You never know what you will see on the Walks. It makes getting up early on a Saturday morning worthwhile.

BIRDERS:      12        (1) Gary M., (2) Dan H., (3) Jennie S., (4) Marian N.,(5) Bruce McC., (6) Hal C., (7) Steve B., (8) Les G., (9) Erin C., (10) Karin D., (11) Karin C., (12) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

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

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 74 – 78 F. Winds NE 5 – 10 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  29

1. Canada Goose  7

2. Wood Duck  7     Seen in North Lagoon. 1 adult female with 6 young.

3. Mallard  17

4. Double-crested Cormorant  4

5. Great Blue Heron  6     One was perched in a tree on the SW side of the North Lagoon.

6. Green Heron  3     Now showing up in all three lagoons.  Juveniles.

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

8. Sharp-shinned Hawk  2     Two birds flew only 15 feet above birders (12) Hal Cohen, the Hawk Guy, was among the birders, and without a doubt identified the pair as Sharp-shinned Hawk.

9. Cooper's Hawk  1     Hunting in the woods at the north end of Bobolink Meadow. tried to catch a bird along the shore of the East Lagoon.  Cut its’ loss and few to snag over west of the Music Bridge.

10. Spotted Sandpiper  1

11. Ring-billed Gull  1

12. Chimney Swift  1

13. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

14. Downy Woodpecker  1

15. Eastern Wood-Pewee  1     Was diving down to the water to take a splash then flew back up to a branch near in the peach tree.  The peach tree on the NW side of the North Lagoon (Columbia Basin) was a popular spot for the birds. Two ripe peaches were seen.

16. Eastern Phoebe  1     In the same peach tree with the Eastern Wood Pewee.

17. Eastern Kingbird  1

18. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

19. Barn Swallow  22

20. Black-capped Chickadee  1

21. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3

22. American Robin  1

23. Gray Catbird  4

24. Cedar Waxwing  2

25. Northern Cardinal  6

26. Indigo Bunting  2     Adult Male

27. Red-winged Blackbird  1

28. House Finch  1

29. American Goldfinch  6

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 08/15/2017 - 12:42pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 12, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

A sizable and nice group of birders showed up for a summer morning stroll. A couple, who were new birders, came to meet the “Angry Birder” of Chicago Tribune fame: Wooded Island Regular, Karin Droegemueller.  We started with eighteen birders, but after three hours of walking, stopping, and staring, a few drop off along the way. I tell birders to stay as long as they can or wish.  If we had access across Darrow Bridge that would cut down the distance and shorten the time. But access is years away, so we do the best that we can, under the circumstances.

Nothing new to report bird wise.  A Pied-billed Grebe waited for the birders at the southeast edge of the East Lagoon.  The Green Herons are still around the North Basin.  Mother Wood Duck and her youngsters remain in the East Lagoon. A juvenile Bald Eaglerested on a snag on Wooded Island this past Tuesday. I think it was an Eastern Kingbirdthat kept dive bombing the young galoot, and drove it off the Island.  Tyrannus tyranus is an apt Latin name, as is the common name, Kingbird. Just because it wears a white skirt on its’ tail, does not mean it is a sissy.

BIRDERS:      18        (1) Marian N., (2) Karin C., (3) Jennie S., (4) Eric G., (5) Dan H., (6) Bruce McC., (7) Steve B., (8) Janet F., (9) Lee S., (10) Maury B., (11) Maija B., (12) Dan L., (13) Tracy W., (14) Emilie S., (15) Erin C., (16) Meal K., (17) Karin D., (18) Pat D.

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

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

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 67 – 74 F., Wind North 10 – 15 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  34

1. Canada Goose  28

2. Wood Duck  6

3. Mallard  16

4. Pied-billed Grebe  1     Swimming & diving in the SE corner of the East Lagoon, west of the golf shack & east of Turtle Island.

5. Double-crested Cormorant  5

6. Great Blue Heron  3

7. Green Heron  5

8. Red-tailed Hawk 1     Reported by Dan L. Seen flying over Bobolink Meadow towards Wooded Island.

9. Ring-billed Gull  1

10. Caspian Tern  2

11. Downy Woodpecker  1

12. Peregrine Falcon  1

13. Eastern Phoebe  4

14. Eastern Kingbird  6

15. Warbling Vireo  1

16. American Crow  3

17. Purple Martin 18     Staying near houses. Later ventured with young around Heron Island.  We are going to miss their gurgling sounds.  Nature's music.

18. Barn Swallow  3

19. Black-capped Chickadee  1

20. White-breasted Nuthatch  1

21. House Wren  1

22. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3

23. American Robin  4

24. Gray Catbird  1

25. European Starling  17

26. Cedar Waxwing 3     Center of Wooded Island.

27. Yellow Warbler  1

28. Song Sparrow  1

29. Northern Cardinal  2

30. Indigo Bunting  1

31. Baltimore Oriole  3

32. House Finch  1

33. American Goldfinch  3

34. House Sparrow  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.

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 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 08/08/2017 - 12:19pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 5, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Today the enthusiasm and camaraderie among the birders equaled the usual thrill of seeing birds.

Birders gathered early and introduced themselves. The group became aware that the Chicago Tribune had posted a video and article online that morning; the work of last week’s companions, John Kim, photographer, and Manya Brachear Pashman, reporter. The title of the article: “Birders keep eyes on projects that could alter Jackson Park.” Bryan Young quickly pulled out his smartphone, and read the article to the birders.  Bryan said that the article was picked up by Apple News. Manya and John did a great job of conveying the concerns of the birding community and others who want to preserve the habitat and quiet for which Jackson Park has been world renowned. Eric G. posted a link to the article on IBET.  It made the front page main article with photos on Monday, August 7th. We hope that our concerns will hold in check the “Obamaland” creep, spilling over Jackson Park. We will continue to voice our concerns and fight to protect the special natural areas and free public access to those areas.

BIRDERS:      17 + 1 canine. (1) Karin C., (2) Jennie S., (3) Bryan Y. & (4) Tatiana Y., - new birders to Jackson Park, (5) Gary M., (6) Dan H. & (7) Tere H., (8) Marian N., from Indiana, (9) Eric G. & (10) Tobias G. – leaving soon to start college at Cornell. We are going to miss his birding skills very much. (11) Karin D. the “angry birder” of Chicago Tribune fame, (12) Kim H. naturalist from Gibson Woods Nature Preserve in Hammond, IN, where a few of us show up every Saturday afternoon. (13) Julie S. who made the trip with Kim H., (14) Eric R. – who is spearheading community effects to save the South Shore Cultural Center’s nature sanctuary from the proposed PGA golf course, (15) “Copper” – our Golden Retriever pal, who loves birders and ignores birds, (16) Doug – Copper’s faithful companion, (17) Renate G., (18) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.         

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

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 70’s F., Mild westerly winds 5 to 10 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  36

1. Canada Goose  7

2. Wood Duck  5     One adult female with four young nearby. Seen near the Music Bridge.

3. Mallard  23     A family of eight were in the Japanese Garden pond. They stay on the rock near the Koi feeder.

4. Double-crested Cormorant  6

5. Great Blue Heron  4

6. Green Heron  5

7. Spotted Sandpiper  1     Near Darrow Bridge. Reported by Eric & Tobias G.

8. Ring-billed Gull  2

9. Herring Gull  1

10. Caspian Tern  2

11. Chimney Swift  6

12. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

13. Downy Woodpecker  1

14. Peregrine Falcon   1     Flying over Wooded Island heading west.

15. Eastern Phoebe  3

16. Eastern Kingbird  2

17. Warbling Vireo  1     Heard

18. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2

19. Purple Martin  7

20. Tree Swallow  3

21. Barn Swallow  2

22. Black-capped Chickadee  1

23. House Wren  1

24. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

25. American Robin  7

26. Gray Catbird  2

27. European Starling  31     Large flock flying in synchronization.

28. Northern Waterthrush   1     Spotted by Gary M. along the Japanese Garden shoreline.

29. Yellow Warbler  2

30. Chipping Sparrow  1     NE , on north side of North Bridge. In low shrubs.

31. Song Sparrow  1

32. Northern Cardinal  1

33. Indigo Bunting  1

34. Baltimore Oriole  2

35. American Goldfinch  1

36. House Sparrow  1

One rabbit and an Eastern Giant Swallowtail were spotted. Kim Harmon, from Gibson Woods, identified the butterfly for us. 

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 12:42pm

Event date:

Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was a delightful summer’s day for a bird walk.  Chicago Tribune Reporter, Manya Brachear and photographer, John Kim birded with us.  John had a Canon camera and lens that was the envy of our regular photographer-birders.  Manya stayed for the entire walk and managed to interview most of the birders along the way.  Even Norman, the volunteer steward of Bobolink Meadow, got in a few licks about the idea of extending the golf driving range. Expansion of Bobolink Meadow with meandering foot paths is the preferred option for both birders and gardeners.

Waiting for us on south entrance of the Museum of Science and Industry was a family of Green Herons.  The four young still sported head fuzz.  The North Lagoon (Columbia Basin) was where they called home this summer.  At one time, the family was in a single dense short tree located east of the steps.  Finding them was like trying to pass a Rorschach test. John Kim photographed the youngsters and the birders standing in awe of the herons as they posed for a family portrait.

The Japanese Garden’s proprietor, an Adult Great Blue Heron, stood majestically and at full attention by the Moon Bridge. The clever family of Mallards was on the stones in the center of the pond, near the Koi feeder that they learned how to empty.

Birders spotted a trio of Eastern Bluebirds on the soccer field, favoring the crossbars of the nets. It seems that despite the weekend Chosen Few Music Festival and numerous soccer games, the pair successfully bred. That is very cool. 

BIRDERS:      16        (1) Renate G., (2) Karin D., (3) Karin C., (4) Celle G. – visiting from the east coast, (5) Raman S., (6) Gary M., (7) Jennie S., (8) Marian N., (9) Hal C. – bearing enormous zucchini gifts, (10) Karin H. – heading back to New Mexico soon, (11) Dan H. – new birder from NW suburb, (12) Tracy W., (13) Katie R. – from New Mexico, (14) John Kim – Chicago Tribune photographer, (15) Manya Brachear – Chicago Tribune reporter, (16) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

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

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 66 – 77 F., Wind off the Lake NE 5 – 15 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   30 + 1 other taxa

1. Canada Goose  20

2. Wood Duck  7     An adult female with six juvenile in tow were in the North Lagoon.

3. Mallard  15     A family of seven have made the rounds in the Japanese Garden pond their home.

4. Double-crested Cormorant  8

5. Great Blue Heron  5     One adult has claimed the Japanese Garden as its home base. Very picturesque and photographic.

6. Green Heron  5     One adult with four newly fledged young were in a tree on the south grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry.

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

8. Spotted Sandpiper  1

9. Ring-billed Gull  1

10. Caspian Tern  2

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3

12. Downy/Hairy Woodpecker  1

13. Northern Flicker  1

14. Eastern Kingbird  16     Observed one eating a praying mantis.

15. Warbling Vireo  1     Heard.

16. Purple Martin  14     Some yet to fledge young were poking their heads out from the openings in the condo boxes.

17. Barn Swallow  2

18. Black-capped Chickadee  1

19. House Wren  1

20. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

21. Eastern Bluebird  3     Soccer Field posts. Looks like a successful breeding season.

22. American Robin  8

23. Gray Catbird  4

24. Cedar Waxwing  2

25. Yellow Warbler  2

26. Chipping Sparrow  1

27. Song Sparrow  1

28. Northern Cardinal  4

29. Indigo Bunting  1     Heard.

30. House Finch  1

31. American Goldfinch  10

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 07/26/2017 - 1:34pm

Event date:

Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The early morning rain showers convinced many of our regulars to stay home and enjoy another cup of coffee, but three intrepid birders came out to see what we could find, and we were glad we did!  The rain stopped right about the time our walk started and the skies slowly cleared while we were in the park.

In the Osaka Garden, the mallards have figured out how to get food from the koi feeder.  They “jump” up a bit and knock the bottom of the feeder with their bills.  When a bit of food falls they eat it up.  What clever birds!

Near the mallards, on the edge of the pond, was a Great Blue Heron looking intently into the water.  Suddenly he grabbed a fish, a small orange fish, and gobbled it down.  I don’t know if the koi had babies or someone put their pet goldfish in the pond, but unfortunately for the fish it became the heron’s breakfast.

The Cliff Swallows were nowhere to be found under the museum’s south portico.  We assume the young must have fledged and the families have left their Hyde Park homes.

BIRDERS: 3: Erin, Gary and Jennie 

TIME: 8:00am to 10:00am  

PLACES: Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow    

DISTANCE: 2 miles

WEATHER:  Cloudy, warm, humid but no rain.

Erin kept the species list for us, and I’ve added comments:

Eastern Kingbird: it seemed like they were everywhere; we saw at least a dozen

Great Blue Heron:  4

Black-crowned Night Heron: 1

Canada Goose: 40

Northern Cardinal: 2

Eastern Phoebe: 2

Purple Martin: 30

House Sparrow: 10

Caspian Tern: 2

Ring-billed Gull: X

Chimney Swift: 3

Barn Swallow: X

Kildeer: 3

Mallard: 19

Double-crested Cormorant: 1, sitting in the classic cormorant pose with its wings outspread

Catbird: 3

Robin: X

Indigo Bunting: 4.  We had great looks and enjoyed their songs on the Wooded Island

Downy Woodpecker: 3

House Wren: 1 (heard only)

American Goldfinch: 2

Wood Duck: 1

Song Sparrow: 2

Belted Kingfisher: 1

Red-winged Blackbird: 6

Northern Flicker: 3, in Bobolink Woods, loudly scolding some robins who were getting too close to them. Perhaps there’s a nest?

Probable juvenile Baltimore Oriole: in Bobolink Woods, near the Flickers. I only got a quick look but I know it wasn’t a robin J

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

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 recorded 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 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Jennie, filling in for Pat today.

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 12:41pm

Event date:

Saturday, July 8, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It has been a very good breeding season for our summer residents.  The Eastern Kingbirds proved very fertile.  Cedar Waxwings increased their numbers. Nests are being found, here, there and everywhere.

And how could I fail to mention the Cliff Swallows who set up residences with the Museum of Science and Industry, without even a group family membership! Yellow Warblers successfully nested on Wooded Island, border areas and Bobolink Meadow. Even Killdeer took advantage of the fenced off area to ground nest northwest of the North Bridge. American Goldfinches are just starting to breed, as is their pattern. 

Our local cemetery Great Blue Herons kept three nests active and produced about a half dozen future gliding “pterodactyls”(“PLEASE”, they request, “Group me with my own kind: that would be pterosaurs, not dinosaurs.”)

Yes, indeed, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have successfully bred on Wooded Island.  We have been looking for their half-dollar size nest for several years. A lucky birder found the nest and even took a photograph of the nest and uploaded the picture to eBird.

Northern Flickers, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, House Wrens, Baltimore Orioles, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, European Starlings, House Finches and Sparrows, and our beloved Purple Martins, Barn and Northern-roughed Wings Swallows. The complete list has many more…Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, Mallards…even more.

BTW, a Coyote, was spotted by Karin H. along the shore near Turtle Island.  The creature leapt into the tall grass in the fenced off area, west of the golf shack.

BIRDERS:      15        (1) Karin C., (2) Jennie S., (3) Bruce Mc C., (4) Eric G., (5) Erin C., (6) Tracy W.,(7)  Samantha P and (8)Tim P from Des Plaines, IL – new to Jackson Park, (9) Chris R., (10) Karen H., (11) Roger F., (12) Peter K., (13) Raman S. and his father (13) P. C. from Houston, (14) Karin D., (15) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

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

DISTANCE:    2 Miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 71 – 78 F., Winds SW 5 – 10 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   39

1. Canada Goose  115     North Lagoon & on MSI steps.

2. Wood Duck  10     One female was sailing along in the East Lagoon with two female mallards. An adult female with 8 young in tow were seen in the West Lagoon near the South Bridge.  This brood must have used a hollow in a tree somewhere near the lagoons. Where?

3. Mallard  21     Female with two ducklings, West Lagoon, seen from North Bridge, hugging shoreline.

4. Double-crested Cormorant  2     Fly overs.

5. Great Blue Heron  5     An adult was perched 30 feet up in a tree south of the Japanese Garden.

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  5

7. Killdeer  2

8. Ring-billed Gull  42     Around 40 were on the soccer field.

9. Caspian Tern  3

10. Chimney Swift  2

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

12. Downy Woodpecker  2

13. Northern Flicker  1

14. Eastern Phoebe  3

15. Eastern Kingbird  13     Adults and juveniles. Active nest in Japanese Garden and SE area near North Bridge to Wooded Island. Babies seen in nest in Japanese Garden, area north of Moon Bridge. Another nest is on the southern tip of Wooded Island. Occupied. Two adults on or near the nest. Adult atop a tree at the north end of Bobolink Meadow. Likely another nest nearby.

16. Warbling Vireo  2

17. American Crow  2

18. Purple Martin  16     Busy households.  Adults bring food back to the young, who are waiting at the entrances.

19. Tree Swallow  2

20. Barn Swallow  12

21. Cliff Swallow  45     On/in nests. 13 nests on ceiling of MSI portico. Other nests on corner of ledges. Some young have fledged.

22. Black-capped Chickadee  2     Japanese Garden.

23. White-breasted Nuthatch  2     Traveling up and down the main trunk of an oak tree, NW corner near South Bridge.

24. House Wren  2     Near lamp post SW corner of Japanese Garden. Constant singing.

25. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

26. American Robin  6

27. Gray Catbird  3

28. European Starling  2

29. Cedar Waxwing  9     Wooded Island. Center area. The nest near the entrance to the Japanese Garden is now empty.

30. Yellow Warbler  6     4 in Japanese Garden.

31. Song Sparrow  1

32. Northern Cardinal  2

33. Indigo Bunting  3

34. Red-winged Blackbird  4

35. Brown-headed Cowbird  1

36. Baltimore Oriole  3

37. House Finch  4

38. American Goldfinch  2     Active nest discovered by Karen H. on branch, north end of North Bridge.

39. House Sparrow  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.

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 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 12:38pm

Event date:

Saturday, July 8, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The injured juvenile Great Blue Heron was a sad sight to see as we walked across the steps of the Museum. How the dislocated wing happened is anyone’s guess.  Like juveniles of any species, inexperience and bad luck are double troubles.  I have noticed more window strikes recently, involving juvenile birds.  Jennie S. called the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and returned to help them, along with Karin C., when they arrived.  The bird was easily captured. We are very lucky in Chicago to have such a great resource. They respond quickly and have the skill to make a safe capture and transfer to a rehabilitation facility.  Please keep their number in your contact list:

Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (773)988-1867

The juvenile Orchard Oriole was a great find!

The Great Crested Flycatcher, perched nearby, but kept its back towards us. Its’ “bright yellow underbelly” is so pretty, in contrast to the “cinnamon wings and tail.” (Description by Roger Tory Peterson) When it belts out a call, its head feathers spring up in salute to the world.

BIRDERS:      15        (1) Jennie S., (2) Gary M., (3) Marian N., (4) Bruce Mc C., (5) Paul C., (6) Karen H., (6) Eric G., (7) Chris {M. C.}, (8) Eric C. = new to Hyde Park but not new to birding, (9) Chris R., (10) Rick R. – long time; no see,(10) Karin D., (11) Karin C., (12) Peter K., (13) Raman S., (14) Emilie S. (15) Pat D.

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

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

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 68 – 75 F. Wind NNE 10 – 15 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  42

1. Canada Goose  134     121 were bordering the North Lagoon (Basin) mostly resting on the Museum steps leading down to the water. Another dozen were in the West Lagoon.

2. Wood Duck  1 Female

3. Mallard  27 includes 8 juveniles

4. Double-crested Cormorant  4

5. Great Blue Heron  6     One juvenile was injured with a dislocated right wing. Bird Monitors called and responded. Bird was easily captured. Appeared weak and emaciated. Transported to Willowbrook Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for evaluation and care. This bird was leaning against the baluster wall of the Museum. Was able to walk but not fly.

6. Green Heron  1       

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  4

8. Killdeer  1     Heard.

9. Ring-billed Gull  3

10. Herring Gull  1

11. Caspian Tern  2

12. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 1     56th & Stoney Island per Paul C. (Every bird counts!)

13. Chimney Swift  1

14. Downy Woodpecker  3

15. Eastern Wood-Pewee  1

16. Eastern Phoebe  4

17. Great Crested Flycatcher 1     Perched in a tree SE of Darrow Bridge.

18. Eastern Kingbird  3

19. Northern Rough-winged Swallow 8     Juveniles with adults. Juveniles perched on branches hanging on for dear life, with chirping food orders to parents.

20. Purple Martin 12     On, near or in Houses, NE of Darrow Bridge.

21. Barn Swallow  2

22. Cliff Swallow 20     Mud nests attached to ceiling and ledges of south portico of Museum.

23. Black-capped Chickadee  2

24. House Wren 1     Belting out its song like the Ethel Merman of birds, near the Japanese Garden.

25. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4

26. Eastern Bluebird  2     Male & Female. Still trying to make the metal cross bar of the soccer nets their home.

27. American Robin  10

28. Gray Catbird  2

29. European Starling  1

30. Cedar Waxwing 16     A flock of a dozen were in the center of Wooded Island.

31. Yellow Warbler  3

32. Chipping Sparrow 1     In grove SE of Darrow Bridge.

33. Song Sparrow  3

34. Northern Cardinal  4

35. Indigo Bunting  1

36. Red-winged Blackbird  1

37. Brown-headed Cowbird 3     Eric G. reported observing a Yellow Warbler feeding a juvenile Cowbird.

38. Orchard Oriole  1    Juvenile. A “pop up" in Bobolink Meadow, from a shrub along the water's edge.  Paul C. quickly called out the identification.  Great find of the day! Seen by many birders, after identification and short flight.

39. Baltimore Oriole  1

40. House Finch  2

41. American Goldfinch  1

42. House Sparrow  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.

Humble heron photo by yours truly.

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 12:35pm

Event date:

Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Another great summertime bird walk!  Paul Clyne reported a chipmunk sighting this week on Wooded Island, and sure enough, the little creature ran across the North Bridge to Wooded Island in front of us. We did not spot the coyote that walked inside the fence along the soccer field.

On the west wall of the containment weir under the Music Bridge, a juvenile Great Blue Heron perched with its feet in several inches of water.  Its back feathers on its rump were blown up by the west wind. It made him look like a “Turkey-rumped Heron.” (I am prone to making up new species names.) While perched, and without moving a bit, a huge carp, over two feet in length, jumped over the wall and into the East Lagoon. Remember when the Army Corps of Engineers and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (both federally funded agencies) let the lagoons dry up in order to kill off the “undesirable” fish, like carp?  I recall Eric G. asked what would happen to their Grand Plan to separate “desirables” from “undesirables”, if someone just happened to drop a crap in the lagoon.  The gentleman thought a moment, and then responded, “Well, that would be bad.” Ha! The carp can take action themselves! I would deem the control of aquatic life in the lagoons, as a Mission Failure.

BIRDERS:      12.       (1) Eric G., (2) Bruce McC., (3) Jennie S. and (4) Karin D – recently returned from a wilderness vacation in Alaska, which included a clear day sighting of the summit of Denali. (30% change of that happening). (5) Renate G., (6) Roger F., (7) Raman S., (8) Bruce M., (9) Marian N., (10) Karen H. visiting from New Mexico for the summer, (11) Chris R., (12) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.

PLACES:        Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 68 – 74 F., Wind WNW 15 – 25 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  38

1. Canada Goose  116     In North Lagoon (Columbia Basin)

2. Mallard  25

3. Double-crested Cormorant  1

4. Great Blue Heron  2

5. Black-crowned Night-Heron  7

6. Killdeer 3     Successful nesting in fenced area NW of North Bridge to Wooded Island.1 adult with 2 juveniles nearby.

7. Ring-billed Gull  11

8. Herring Gull  1

9. Caspian Tern  2

10. Mourning Dove 1     Heard at start of Walk, SE of Darrow Bridge.

11. Chimney Swift  6

12. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 A photo was taken by a birder last week of a likely nest on Wooded Island.  If confirmed, this would be the first finding of a nest on Wooded Island, although nesting has been considered likely for several years. Wooded Island is only sixteen acres, but it has proven to be a challenged to find a quarter to half dollar size nest, even for the best of Wooded Island Birders.

13. Hairy Woodpecker  1     Southern tip of Wooded Island, NE of South Bridge. In the same tree as a restful, perched Eastern Wood Pewee, with an Eastern Kingbird on a snag over the water nearby. This has proven to be a Jackpot birding tiny spot the past two weeks.

14. Northern Flicker  3

15. Eastern Wood-Pewee  1     Perched in a tree southern tip of Wooded Island. NE of South Bridge.

16. Willow Flycatcher  1     Identified by Eric G. by call and was seen.

17. Eastern Phoebe  1

18. Eastern Kingbird  4

19. Warbling Vireo  1     Seen and heard, near start of Walk, SE of Darrow Bridge.

20. Purple Martin  15     Adult male & female on porches to condos. Young poking heads out occasionally.

21. Barn Swallow  2

22. Cliff Swallow  15     Nine nests underside roof of the MSI south portico. Several more active nests on nearby ledges.

23. Black-capped Chickadee  1     Heard

24. House Wren  4

25. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

26. American Robin  4

27. Gray Catbird  1

28. Cedar Waxwing  3

29. Yellow Warbler  6

30. Chipping Sparrow  1     Seen and heard in enclosed fenced area NW of North Bridge to Wooded Island. Credit to Eric G. for locating bird by ear then by sight.  Most birders observed bird.

31. Song Sparrow  2

32. Northern Cardinal  2

33. Indigo Bunting  4

34. Dickcissel  1     Heard then seen by Karen H. on Turtle Island, near golf shack.  Bird flew to large willow tree south of Island.  No sight or sound of a Dickcissel in the Meadow.

35. Red-winged Blackbird  4

36. Brown-headed Cowbird  2

37. Baltimore Oriole  1

38. American Goldfinch  10     Birders told me that as I sat on a bench near the Old Rose Garden, a swirl of finches were talking and flying behind my back!

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 12:33pm

Event date:

Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The rain gods held their powers in check so we would have another nice summertime bird walk. 

The Great Crested Flycatcher was on a bare branch near the top of a tree in the center of Wooded Island.  It looked marvelous.  The Cedar Waxwings were mostly on the Island. An adult was occupying a well hidden nest near the Japanese Garden. Cowbirdswere in abundance too, which always is a concern for what eggs are in our breeding birds’ nests. Glad to report that our pair of Eastern Bluebirds was seen together on the crossbar of the soccer field nest.  I believe that the adults attending the youth soccer games do not realize that our bluebirds are nesting in the crossbar. They take the metal frame down when supervising games.  No games today.

The male Indigo Bunting was clinging to a plant near the ground, at the south end of Wooded Island.  Eric G. noticed it first.  Raman, Tracy and I were only a few feet away from the bird.  It stayed long enough for Tracy W. to take some photos then off it flew; later to be spotted on its’ high exposed perch on a snag south of the Old Rose Garden.

A male singing Dickcissel, in breeding plumage, has been in Bobolink Meadow for a few days. He was in the trees along the golf driving range fence.  Some birders believe that there may be two Dickcissels in the Meadow. This is a rare find in Jackson Park.  Normally they are found in a much larger meadow or field.

BIRDERS:      8          (1) Eric G., (2) Tracy W., (3) Kevin V., (4) Roger F. and his daughter (5) Maia G., (6) Raman S., (7) Chris R., (8) Pat D.

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

PLACES:        Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Cloudy. Temperature 68 – 78 F. Welcome breeze SE 10 – 15 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   38

1. Canada Goose  83

2. Wood Duck  2     In flight over the East Lagoon.

3. Mallard  10 – including 6 ducklings

4. Double-crested Cormorant  3     In flight.

5. Great Blue Heron  5

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  6

7. Killdeer  1

8. Spotted Sandpiper  1     Viewed from Music Bridge.

9. Ring-billed Gull  1

10. Caspian Tern  3

11. Chimney Swift  2

12. Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

13. Great Crested Flycatcher  1     Middle of Wooded Island.

14. Eastern Kingbird  3

15. Warbling Vireo  1

16. Red-eyed Vireo  1

17. American Crow  7

18. Purple Martin  15

19. Barn Swallow  10

20. Cliff Swallow  7

21. Black-capped Chickadee  2     Heard south of Japanese Garden.

22. House Wren  2     One was on the lamp light SW edge of Japanese Garden.

23. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

24. Eastern Bluebird  2     On the cross bar of the frame for the soccer net. Since last week the frame was back up and our pair of bluebirds has returned.

25. American Robin  10

26. Gray Catbird  3

27. European Starling  1

28. Cedar Waxwing  8     Adult sitting on nest near Japanese Garden. Well hidden.

29. Yellow Warbler  9

30. Song Sparrow  1

31. Northern Cardinal  1

32. Indigo Bunting  2

33. Dickcissel  1     Possibly two. Middle section of Bobolink Meadow in the trees that border the golf driving range.  The adult male was in breeding plumage and singing.

34. Red-winged Blackbird  3

35. Brown-headed Cowbird  14

36. Baltimore Oriole  2

37. American Goldfinch  2

38. House Sparrow  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.

Photos were taken by Tracy Weiner on June 17, 2017 during our Walk.

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 12:30pm

Event date:

Saturday, June 10, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

 We discovered a pair of Cedar Waxwings on a berry bush inside the gate to the Japanese Garden.  They were at eye level and very nonchalant about our presence.  A new nest was found just outside the Japanese Garden, although not occupied.  There were numerous Cedar Waxwings on Wooded Island. 

A pair of Baltimore Orioles was seen feeding young at the nest opening on the southeast side of the Island. Let’s hope the nestlings are orioles and not cowbirds.

No Eastern Bluebird sighting today. The goal post that was the site of nesting material was found on the ground in the soccer field.  They may have found another nesting spot.

The low flying Turkey Vulture over the north end of Bobolink Meadow was a surprise.  A black bird gave it the bum’s rush. On Cornell Drive, a crow took up the escort duties out of Jackson Park.

The frog was chilling in the North Lagoon (Columbia Basin), in the northwest corner along the wall.

Guess who has returned to build a home along the south end of Wooded Island? Yep! A big beaver was seen swimming with a fresh branch from a willow tree. 

BIRDERS:      (1) Marian N., (2) Bruce McC., (3) Tracy W., (4) Laurel R., (5) Eric G., (6) Tobias G., (7) Chelle G., (8) Karin C., (9) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 am. to 11:15 a.m.          

PLACES:        Wooded Island & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 74 – 81 F. Breezy. Winds SW 20 – 30 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   33

1. Canada Goose  83     Molting continues

2. Mallard  12     7 ducklings swimming with an adult female fore and aft.

3. Double-crested Cormorant  1     Solo fly over.

4. Great Blue Heron  1     All three nests in nearby Oakwood Cemetery have young. Sort of a Phoenix bird, arising from among the dead. (joking a bit)

5. Green Heron  1

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  4

7. Turkey Vulture  1     Big Surprise! Flying low over Bobolink Meadow, east to west. Chased by blackbird. Seemed to follow Cornell Drive heading north. Saw red face. Feather fingers extended.

8. Cooper's Hawk  1

9. Ring-billed Gull  4     fly overs

10. Caspian Tern  1

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

12. Downy Woodpecker  1     Male

13. Eastern Wood-Pewee  1     Reported by Eric.

14. Eastern Kingbird  3

15. Warbling Vireo  2

16. American Crow  4

17. Purple Martin  10     Happy sounds from on and near their white condos.

18. Barn Swallow  20

19. Cliff Swallow  12     A few nests completed under MSI south portico and eaves.

20. Black-capped Chickadee  2

21. House Wren  2

22. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

23. American Robin  3

24. Gray Catbird  1

25. Cedar Waxwing  14     Nest located NW of entrance to Japanese Garden

26. Yellow Warbler  8

27. Song Sparrow  1

28. Northern Cardinal  1

29. Indigo Bunting  3

30. Red-winged Blackbird  2     chased Cooper's Hawk.

31. Brown-headed Cowbird  3

32. Baltimore Oriole  4     Some birders observed female feeding young at nest. East side of Wooded Island.

33. American Goldfinch  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.

Photos were taken by Tracy Weiner on June 10, 2017 during our Walk.

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 12:27pm

Event date:

Saturday, June 3, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

If you only have a few minutes to be in the company of wild birds, just sit on the bench near the Purple Martin Houses and watch their aerial acrobatics and listen to their soft, gurgling sounds as they speak to each other; in the air; on their front porches.  The experience will do wonders to your mental and physical wellbeing.  Petting the head of Copper, our Golden Retriever, who visits with us each week, is another relaxer.

We are not a rigid organized marching band of birders. We wander; we meander; we chat about this, that and the other. We stay as long as we can.  We like it this way; sharing sightings with those nearby, and then moving on.  I speak with pride when I describe our Walks as loosey goosey. We each create our own outdoor adventure, among a friendly group that resembles an ameba far more than a paramecium in motion.

Set the clock on Saturday morning and come join this group of bird lovers.

BIRDERS:      17        (1) Marian N., (2) Bruce McC., (3) Cathy W., (4) Jennie S., (5) Mark W., (6) Eric G., (7) Tracy W., (8) Kevin V., (9) Barbara S. and her sister (10) Sarah M., visiting, (11) Karin C., (12) Karin D., (13) Roger F., (14) Carol H. and daughter (15) Karen H., (16) Liz M., (17) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Summertime! Temperature 70’s F. Winds faint or none, S 5 – 10 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   42

1. Canada Goose  44     Molting off long flight feathers.

2. Wood Duck  4     Two male/female pair in East Lagoon

3. Mallard  6     Two females with combines seven ducklings.

4. Great Blue Heron  3

5. Green Heron  1

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  4

7. Killdeer  1     Heard near Darrow Bridge.

8. Spotted Sandpiper  1

9. Ring-billed Gull  12     flyovers

10. Caspian Tern  3     At one point the trio was actively fishing together in the SW corner of the East Lagoon.

11. Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     Reported by Mark W. in Bobolink Meadow.

12. Chimney Swift  8

13. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

14. Downy Woodpecker  1     South end of Bobolink Meadow

15. Eastern Wood-Pewee  3     One seen by Mark W. Two heard by Mark and others.

16. Willow Flycatcher  1     Heard in Bobolink Meadow by Mark W.

17. Eastern Kingbird  6

18. Warbling Vireo  4

19. Red-eyed Vireo  1     Wooded Island.

20. American Crow  9

21. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

22. Purple Martin  12

23. Barn Swallow  3

24. Cliff Swallow  50     Flocks of 8 to 12 seen gathering mouthful of mud along Heron Island shore, then flying north to the Museum portico ceiling to create nests.  Adults observed in nests.

25. House Wren  1

26. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1     near old Rose Garden on Wooded Island.

27. Eastern Bluebird  1

28. American Robin  10

29. Gray Catbird  8

30. European Starling  6

31. Cedar Waxwing  7

32. Yellow Warbler  6

33. Song Sparrow  2

34. Northern Cardinal  3

35. Indigo Bunting  2     One near Darrow Bridge. The other stood proudly on the top of a snag SW corner of Wooded Island.

36. Red-winged Blackbird  4

37. Brown-headed Cowbird  5

38. Orchard Oriole  1     First year male. Bobolink Meadow, middle section.

39. Baltimore Oriole  2

40. House Finch  2

41. American Goldfinch  4

42. House Sparrow  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. Mark W. and Eric G. provided their combined lists.

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 05/29/2017 - 3:28pm

Event date:

Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

We birded for four hours because the birds were everywhere we walked. Birders stayed as long as they could. A few “star” warblers graced the Island, including a handsome male Blackburnian Warbler and a Canada Warbler.

For the first time that I can recall, Cliff Swallows were scooping up mouthfuls of mud and pasting the material to the upper ledges and south portico entrance ceiling of the Museum. In past years, they built numerous nests on the ceiling of the 63rd St. beach house. Some nests were made under the North Bridge to Wooded Island; space shared with Barn Swallows. Nest building by swallows is a most favorable omen for the Museum.  Swallows symbolize renewal and revival.  Their nests on eaves foretell of success, happiness and good fortune for those that dwell within the building.  DON’T MESS WITH NESTS!

A Northern Flicker was spotted carrying food into a tree hollow, by Karen H, Caroline’s daughter from Albuquerque, and an excellent birder.  The old tree is located at the southwest point near Darrow Bridge. The nest hole is at the end of a sizable main branch. Look east for find it.

BIRDERS:      16        (1) Liz M., (2) Gary M., (3) Marie Christina D., (4) Bruce McC., (5) Karen H., daughter of Caroline H. visiting from Albuquerque, New Mexico, (6) Marian N., (7) Eric G., (8) Tobias, G., (9) Jennie S., (10) Roger F., (11) Chris R., (12) Maury B. and (13) Maija B. from Naples, Florida, (14) Karin D., (15) Karin C., (16) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Four hours! Lots to seek, see, and find.        

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons, and Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Mostly sunny. Temperature 58 to 65 F. Occasional mild NE breeze.  Perfect weather for looking for birding.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   60 (+ 1 other taxa) total

1. Canada Goose  14

2. Mallard  1     1 Male,1 Female

3. Double-crested Cormorant  1

4. Great Blue Heron  2

5. Green Heron  3

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  5

7. Cooper's Hawk  1

8. Killdeer  1     Heard by Eric G.

9. Ring-billed Gull  4

10. Caspian Tern  1

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  7

12. Downy Woodpecker  1

13. Hairy Woodpecker  1

14. Northern Flicker  1     Entering and leaving nest sight.

15. Olive-sided Flycatcher  3     One near the east parking lot. One near the old rose garden on Wooded Island. One near the Meadow.  Unless it was just one tagging along with the birders. :)

16. Eastern Wood-Pewee  1

17. Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher) 

18.  Least Flycatcher 1

19. Eastern Phoebe  2

20. Yellow-throated Vireo  1     Reported by Eric G.

21. Warbling Vireo  2

22. Red-eyed Vireo  2

23. American Crow  3

24. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  9

25. Purple Martin  7     Male & female on porches of Houses (3) and aloft.

26. Tree Swallow  1

27. Barn Swallow  2

28. Cliff Swallow  6     building mud nest under the south ledges and portico of the Museum.

29. Black-capped Chickadee  2

30. House Wren  2

31. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3

32. Eastern Bluebird  1     Soccer Field. Spotted at end of pipe supporting net. Attempted to nest in the pipe in the past; perhaps 2 years ago. Good Luck! Hope the scoring is low.

33. Veery  1     Reported by Jennie S.

34. Swainson's Thrush  1

35. American Robin  6

36. Gray Catbird  2

37. European Starling  2

38. Cedar Waxwing  3     Reported by Eric G (2) fly overs & (1) by Karin C. in Meadow.

39. Black-and-white Warbler  1

40. Mourning Warbler  1

41. Common Yellowthroat  3

42. American Redstart  3     1 Female

43. Northern Parula  1     Observed by experienced two birders: Marian N. and Tobias G.

44. Magnolia Warbler  6

45. Blackburnian Warbler  1     Male

46. Yellow Warbler  9

47. Chestnut-sided Warbler  2

48. Black-throated Green Warbler  3     This was the count from a 4 hour, two mile walk around the lagoon, through Wooded Island from three sides, and through Bobolink Meadow.

49. Canada Warbler  1

50. Wilson's Warbler  9

51. White-crowned Sparrow  2

52. Song Sparrow  4

53. Northern Cardinal  6

54. Indigo Bunting  2

55. Red-winged Blackbird  2     1 Male, 1 Female

56. Common Grackle  3

57. Brown-headed Cowbird  6

58. Baltimore Oriole  4     1 Male, 1 Female

59. American Goldfinch  1

60. House Sparrow  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.

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 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 05/22/2017 - 10:45am

Event date:

Saturday, May 20, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was great to have Mark and Sandra and their friend Curt join us on the Walk this morning. All are missed and remembered by the Wooded Island Regulars.  Now they bird in Central Park and find the birders there have huge cameras and are more aggressive.  A fellow named Bob gives paid bird walks and uses tape recordings liberally. Birders are never quite sure at the first sound of a call or song, if it originates from a bird on sight or a recording from Bob. We are purist. No recordings. Birds’ welfare, not ticks on a checklist, comes first.

Marie Christine and Steve were first time birders to Wooded Island and contributed to our tally.

Knowing that rain was predicted, we began our Walk and made it through Wooded Island before the downpour.  We made a long a soggy retreat back to our cars.  We got soaked but did not melt.

BIRDERS:      14        (1) Mark N. and (2) Sandra N. in town from NYC, (3) Curt M., (4) Gary M., (5) Marian N. (6) Marie Christine D., (7) Steve B. – from Orland Park, first time birding Wooded Island, (8) Jennie S., (9) Eric G., (10) Edith H., (11) Karin D., (12) Renate G., (13) Raman S., (14) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (rained out) 

PLACES:        Wooded Island

DISTANCE:    1 mile

WEATHER:    Cloudy. Temperature 50 – 62 F. Wind ESE 10 -20 mph. Rain began at 10 a.m.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   39 + 2 other taxa

1. Canada Goose  22     2 adults with 4 goslings/5 adults with 9 goslings

2. Wood Duck  2     Males

3. Mallard  3

4. Double-crested Cormorant  67     Maybe over count. Here. There, and in the air.

5. Great Blue Heron  4

6. Cooper's Hawk  1

7. shorebird sp.  1     Probable Spotted Sandpiper

8. Ring-billed Gull  4

9. Caspian Tern  3

10. Chimney Swift  20

11. Belted Kingfisher  1

12. Hairy Woodpecker  1     Female

13. Eastern Phoebe  1

14. Eastern Kingbird  4

15. Warbling Vireo  4

16. American Crow  1

17. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4

18. Purple Martin  4     Cooper's Hawk was near Purple Martin Houses.

19. Barn Swallow  4

20. Black-capped Chickadee  1

21. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3

22. American Robin  5

23. thrush sp.  1

24. Gray Catbird  4

25. Cedar Waxwing  3

26. Common Yellowthroat  2

27. American Redstart  1

28. Magnolia Warbler  1

29. Yellow Warbler  6

30. Wilson's Warbler  1

31. Chipping Sparrow  1

32. Song Sparrow  1

33. Summer Tanager  1     Spotted by Raman S. center of Wooded Island.

34. Northern Cardinal  1

35. Indigo Bunting 1     Report by Eric G. South of Old Rose Garden on Wooded Island.

36. Red-winged Blackbird  2

37. Brown-headed Cowbird 1     Female observed on top of Baltimore Oriole nest.

38. Baltimore Oriole 7     Spotted two nests on Wooded Island west of Japanese Garden.

39. House Finch  2

40. American Goldfinch  1

41. House Sparrow  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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 05/14/2017 - 8:32pm

Event date:

Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

It was a great morning for birding! Our summer residents and a specular looking migrating male Scarlet Tanager waited for us to catch a glimpse of them on Wooded Island.

BIRDERS:      25        (1) Liz M., (2) Gary M., (3) Marian N., (4) Kevin V., (5) Bruce Mc., (6) Jennie S., (7) Tracy W., (8) Cheryl F., new birder for group, (9) Simi S., - new birder to group, (10) Emilie S., - Northwestern student in journalism, studying birds and birders, (11) Ken E., (12) Tim T., (13) Eric G, (14) Tobias G., (15) Roger F., (16) Ben H., (17) Christina H., (18) Karin C., (19) Karin D., (20) Bill D., (21) Renate G., (22) Cole J., (23) Morgen M., (24) Aaron T., (25) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

PLACES:        Wooded Island

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Partly Cloudy. Temperature 60 – 68 F. Wind WSW 10 – 15 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   50

1. Canada Goose  12

2. Wood Duck  3     2 males & 1 female together.

3. Mallard  7

4. Double-crested Cormorant  1

5. Great Blue Heron  4

6. Green Heron  1     Along east central shore of Wooded Island. Spotted by Morgen.

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  3

8. Turkey Vulture  2

9. Cooper's Hawk  1     Hidden in a tree on the east side of east path, near center of Wooded Island. When the hawk flew out, with crow escort and empty talons, a few small birds became unfrozen and thereafter, flew out of the tree.  When a hawk is near, and life threatening, birds that are aware of the danger freeze in place, until the threat is gone.

10. Red-tailed Hawk  1

11. Killdeer  1

12. Spotted Sandpiper  3

13. Ring-billed Gull  4

14. Caspian Tern  1

15. Chimney Swift  2

16. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

17. Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

18. Northern Flicker  1

19. Eastern Phoebe  1

20. Eastern Kingbird  5

21. Warbling Vireo  6

22. Blue Jay  1     Heard by Eric G.

23. American Crow  6

24. Purple Martin  7

25. Barn Swallow  8

26. Red-breasted Nuthatch  1     Near Darrow Bridge.

27. House Wren  1     Wooded Island. East side.

28. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  5     On Wooded Island.

29. Eastern Bluebird  1     Reported by Eric G.

30. American Robin  1

31. Gray Catbird  6

32. European Starling  1

33. Cedar Waxwing  1     Reported by Eric G.

34. Black-and-white Warbler  1     On Wooded Island SE area.

35. Common Yellowthroat  1

36. American Redstart  2     Male & female together.

37. Yellow Warbler  6

38. Palm Warbler  2

39. Yellow-rumped Warbler  6

40. White-crowned Sparrow  1

41. Song Sparrow  2

42. Eastern Towhee  1     Reported by Tobias G.

43. Scarlet Tanager  1     Male. SW area of old Rose Garden. In same dead sapling alternately occupied by Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Seen by some birders.

44. Northern Cardinal  1

45. Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2     Male & female pair together.

46. Red-winged Blackbird  2

47. Brown-headed Cowbird  8     Male/female pairs

48. Baltimore Oriole  6     Saw a male near a new nest, south  of "Sky Landing" installation - Wooded Island.

49. American Goldfinch  12

50. 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.

Photo of Male Scarlet Tanager downloaded from Wikepedia.

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 8:37pm

Event date:

Saturday, May 6, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Twenty plus birders showed up for the Spring Bird Count.  Mother Nature held off on providing a warm spring day with lots of insects for the warblers.  We managed to find only four species of warblers.

There was a police SUV parked on the west path.  When most birders had reached the South Bridge of Wooded Island, the police officer slowly drove across the Bridge.  He kindly rolled down his window and called out for us to “Watch your toes.” We were so disparate to increase our bird count; I asked the officer if he had seen any “Jail Birds” lately.  He got a good laugh from that old line, and said that he had seen many “Jail Birds.” But alas, Jail Bird is not a species option on eBird.  It is rumored, started by yours truly, that the AOU (American Ornithological Union) is reviewing the addition of the species.

BIRDERS:      20        (1) Jennie S., (2) Lenore W., (3) Judy M., (4) Betsy F., (5) Gary M with friend from NYC (6) Bob F., (7) Bruce Mc., (8) Eric G., (9) Tracy W. – photographer, (10) Sid P. – photographer, (11) Chris R., (12) Raman S.,  with friend (13) Tang T., (14) Karin C, (15) Karin D., (16) Kevin V., (17 – 19) Lisle G, Iain C. & Anais C. from Britain & Australia, members of Topical Birding Tours, (20) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

PLACES:        Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Mostly sunny. Cold. Windy. Temperature 48 – 50 F., Wind N 20 – 30 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 43

1. Canada Goose  19     Two flocks of goslings. 4 + 6.

2. Wood Duck  2

3. Mallard  16

4. Blue-winged Teal  1

5. Northern Shoveler  2     East Lagoon. Actively feeding with spatula bill.

6. Red-breasted Merganser  2     East Lagoon. Male & Female.

7. Pied-billed Grebe  1

8. Double-crested Cormorant  214

9. Great Blue Heron  1

10. Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

11. Cooper's Hawk  1

12. Killdeer  1     Heard from west shore of west lagoon, across from North Bridge onto Wooded Island.

13. Spotted Sandpiper  1

14. Ring-billed Gull  2

15. Caspian Tern  2

16. Chimney Swift  1

17. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2

18. Downy Woodpecker  3

19. Hairy Woodpecker  1     Female

20. Northern Flicker  2

21. Eastern Phoebe  2

22. Blue Jay  1

23. American Crow  3

24. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  5

25. Barn Swallow  4

26. Black-capped Chickadee  2

27. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4

28. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

29. American Robin  2

30. European Starling  30

31. Cedar Waxwing  7     Silent. All perched in a single tree NW corner of North Bridge onto Wooded Island. Facing the morning sun.

32. Common Yellowthroat  1

33. Yellow Warbler  2

34. Palm Warbler  4

35. Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

36. Chipping Sparrow  2

37. White-crowned Sparrow  1

38. White-throated Sparrow  3

39. Northern Cardinal  5

40. Red-winged Blackbird  4

41. Common Grackle  1

42. Brown-headed Cowbird  2

43. American Goldfinch  5

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 East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 12:11pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 29, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

We braved the weather and the best birds were waiting for us at the end of our walk.  The teals, both Blue-winged and a single male Green-winged Teal saved the day. The Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers and Wood Ducks all looked marvelous.

The Green-winged Teal was the star.  He splashed down at the north end of the East Lagoon just as we were heading to our cars.  What caught my eye were the cream colored rump feathers. It is the smallest of the dappling ducks. My father told me that it is the fastest flyer. The teal did not stay long before taking off down the lagoon.  Maybe it wanted to rendezvous with the Blue-winged Teals.   

It was great to see Shannon’s reaction when, after some effort, she was able to locate the Killdeer with her binoculars.  The WOW factor with the huge smile -à priceless! It is so much fun to share the joy of birding with the young.  Will they remember how special birds are?  I hope so.

BIRDERS:      13.       (1) Gary M., (2) Chris R., (3) Elaine F., (4) Randy S., (5) Molly L., and (6) daughter Shannon L. from Oak Park, (7) Eric G., (8) Jennie S., (9) Tracy W., (10) Karin D., (11) Dan M. from San Francisco, (12) Raman S., (13) Pat D.  

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

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow and Lagoons

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Cloudy. Cold. Windy. Temperature steady at 45 F. Winds off the Lake. NNE 10 – 15 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   37

1. Canada Goose  18

2. Wood Duck  4

3. Gadwall  2

4. Mallard  13

5. Blue-winged Teal  15     Male & Female in a single flock in East Lagoon.

6. Northern Shoveler  2     East Lagoon near Blue-winged Teal flock of 11

7. Green-winged Teal  1     Male. North end of East Lagoon. Flew in. Stayed briefly, then flew off south.

8. Ruddy Duck  4

9. Pied-billed Grebe  1

10. Double-crested Cormorant  60

11. Great Blue Heron  2  

12. Black-crowned Night-Heron  3

13. Cooper's Hawk  1

14. Killdeer  2 – A pair was seen in the fenced off area NW of the North Bridge onto Wooded Island.

15. Ring-billed Gull  12     fly overs

16. Caspian Tern  3

17. Northern Flicker  1

18. Eastern Phoebe  3

19. American Crow  4

20. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  8

21. Tree Swallow  1

22. Barn Swallow  6

23. House Wren  1

24. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

25. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3

26. American Robin  14

27. Gray Catbird  1

28. European Starling  2

29. Yellow Warbler  1

30. Palm Warbler  4

31. Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

32. White-throated Sparrow  15

33. Northern Cardinal  5

34. Red-winged Blackbird  6

35. Brown-headed Cowbird  5

36. American Goldfinch  6

37. House Sparrow  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. Randy S. shared his field notes with Pat D. to compile this group checklist.

Photo of the pair of Green-winged Teals downloaded from Wikipedia.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. Make a turn at the 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 12:08pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

We had a fun morning of birding, sharing tips on identification of birds and plants.

Our regular rendezvous with “Copper” and Doug took place. Copper loves birders more than birds.  Below are a portrait of Copper and a photo of Pat instructing Kiersten on how to give a treat to Copper, under Copper’s direct supervision. 

BIRDERS:      19.       (1) Marian N., (2) Chuck B., (3) Randy S., (4) Eric G., (5) Tobias G., (6) Karin D., (7) Karin C., (8) Lorie M., (9) Marilyn M., (10) Raman S., (11) Dennis P. and (12) Sriram V. – birders visiting from Ann Arbor, MI, (13) Laurel R., (14) Tracy W., (15) Gary M., (16) Kyra J and (17) Kiersten J. – new birders, (18) Kevin V., (19) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

PLACES:        Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 45- 53 F. Winds NNE off the Lake 10 – 20 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  45

1. Canada Goose  25

2. Wood Duck  2

3. Gadwall  1

4. Mallard  7

5. Pied-billed Grebe  1

6. Double-crested Cormorant  83. Several large fly over flocks.

7. Great Blue Heron  2. They have returned to Oakwood Cemetery. Two active nest sites.

8. Black-crowned Night-Heron  3

9. Killdeer  1

10. Ring-billed Gull  7

11. Caspian Tern  8

12. Belted Kingfisher  1

13. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

14. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1     Still in juvenile plumage. No red on head or throat. Smudgy appearance. Confirmed by Randy.

15. Downy Woodpecker  4     Birders noticed a quick episode of copulation by a couple.  After sharing a joint, the male rolled over and fell asleep. (joking)

16. Hairy Woodpecker  1     all white outer tail feathers clearly seen.

17. Northern Flicker  4

18. American Kestrel  1

19. Eastern Phoebe  3

20. Blue Jay  1

21. American Crow  5

22. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6

23. Tree Swallow  4

24. Barn Swallow  2

25. Black-capped Chickadee  2

26. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4

27. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  7

28. Hermit Thrush  2

29. American Robin  13

30. European Starling  10

31. Northern Waterthrush  1

32. Yellow Warbler  1

33. Palm Warbler  6

34. Yellow-rumped Warbler  2

35. Dark-eyed Junco  2

36. White-throated Sparrow  15

37. Song Sparrow  7

38. Lincoln's Sparrow  1

39. Eastern Towhee  1

40. Northern Cardinal  10

41. Red-winged Blackbird  9

42. Common Grackle  1

43. House Finch  2

44. American Goldfinch  10

45. House Sparrow  8

     

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. Randy S. was the major complier.

Tracy Weiner took the photos during today’s bird walk.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. Make a turn at the 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 04/19/2017 - 12:03pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was a great day for birding. The temperature was warm and the winds were moderate.  Many new and long lost birders returned. 

For those that could stay to the third hour, a very rare bird was found on a small tree in the center of Bobolink Meadow, near the water’s edge.  A Loggerhead Shrike perched for all the remaining birders to see.  Paul Clyne classified this bird with a Code 5 meaning it is a very rare find and not found in most years. 

According to eBird Records, Paul Clyne found a Loggerhead Shrike on the 63rd St. Beach on May 25, 2015. That Shrike stayed around for at least three days.

Tracy Weiner and Ben Sanders both posted photos immediately on the Facebook page “Illinois Birding Network.” The sighting was then very quickly posted on IBET.  Some birders came and found the bird later in the day. There were no reports of sightings on the following day. Mark Webster and Liz Moyers differentiated the bird, ruling out a Northern Shrike.  You never know what awaits you.

BIRDERS:        20. (1) Ben S., (2) Roger F. – encountered on Soccer Field, (3) Martha B., (4) Jeff B., (5) Bruce McC., (6) Tracy W., (7) Karin C., (8) Edith H., (9) Mark W., (10) Dan L – who photographed the female Northern Harrier, (11) Karin D., (12) Chris R., (13) Liz M., (14) Maddie M. (15) Mary Nell M., (16) Kevin V., (17) Bill D., (18) Renate G., (19) Robyn, (20) Pat D.

TIME:                         8:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

PLACES:          Wooded Island & Bobolink Meadow and lagoons

DISTANCE:     2 miles

WEATHER:     Sunny. Temperature 67 – 79 F. Winds SW 20 – 30 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   52

1. Canada Goose  2

2. Wood Duck  2     North Corner of West Lagoon. Nesting nearby?

3. Mallard  9

4. Red-breasted Merganser  88     Most common waterfowl in all three lagoons

5. Ruddy Duck  1     East Lagoon. Seen from Music Bridge

6. Pied-billed Grebe  2

7. Double-crested Cormorant  21     15 composed a fly over flock.

8. Great Blue Heron  4

9. Black-crowned Night-Heron  2     Both close to each other in a mature tree located east central side of Wooded Island.

10. Turkey Vulture  6     Spotted by Mark Webster in a loose flock flying over Bobolink Meadow.

11. Northern Harrier  1

12. Cooper's Hawk  1

13. Spotted Sandpiper  1     Parading on the edge at the bottom of the steps of Museum of S & I

14. Ring-billed Gull  4     fly overs

15. Caspian Tern  2

16. Mourning Dove  1

17. Belted Kingfisher  2     East Lagoon. Successful fishers.

18. Red-bellied Woodpecker  2     Frequent calls back and forth. In close proximity. Central portion of Wooded Island.

19. Downy Woodpecker  2

20. Northern Flicker  10

21. Monk Parakeet  1     Heard by Ben Sanders.

22. Eastern Phoebe  4

23. Loggerhead Shrike  1     Central portion of Bobolink Meadow near lagoon.  Seen  by over a dozen birders. Stayed on small tree for 10 to 15 minutes to allow for close observation and differentiation between Northern & Loggerhead. Photos immediately posted on Facebook Illinois Birding Network.  Another great find by Mark Webster.

24. American Crow  1

25. Tree Swallow  4

26. Barn Swallow  1

27. Black-capped Chickadee  2

28. White-breasted Nuthatch  2

29. Brown Creeper  2

30. Golden-crowned Kinglet  1

31. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

32. Eastern Bluebird  1     Spotted by Bruce McC. in oak grove east of the Purple Martin Houses.

33. Gray-cheeked Thrush  1     Identified by Mark Webster after careful study. Located at the north end near Wooded Island.

34. Hermit Thrush  3

35. American Robin  9

36. Brown Thrasher  4

37. European Starling  4

38. Palm Warbler  1     Identified by Mark Webster. Seen on the west side of Darrow Bridge.

39. Yellow-rumped Warbler  5

40. Chipping Sparrow  1

41. Field Sparrow  2

42. Dark-eyed Junco  1

43. White-crowned Sparrow  3

44. White-throated Sparrow  3

45. Song Sparrow  1

46. Swamp Sparrow  1

47. Eastern Towhee  1

48. Northern Cardinal  3

49. Red-winged Blackbird  3

50. Brown-headed Cowbird  2

51. American Goldfinch  4

52. House Sparrow  1

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

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 recorded 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. Make a turn at the 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 04/19/2017 - 12:00pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 8, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Spring is on the buds and birders have returned to Wooded Island and the Saturday morning bird walks.  The Green Heron was a nice surprise. The single bird flew onto branches hanging over the East Lagoon in front of the SW corner of the east parking lot.

A coyote has been seen on the Island for the past couple of weeks.  I was sitting on the first bench south of the Japanese Garden when the coyote came up from the edge of the East Lagoon and walked passed me a few yards away.  Later several of us saw the coyote again west of the area once known as the Rose Garden.

Reminder: Chicago Audubon Society’s Presentation on Wooded Island is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, April 13th ,7:15 p.m., at the North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Building D. 

BIRDERS:      16. (1) Gary M. (2) Ben S. (3) Jennie S. (4) Renate G. (5) Kevin V. (6) Dennis K. (7) Arlene McF. (8) Hannah K. (9) Paul G. (10) Mary Nell M. (11) Eric G. (12) Bruce McC. (13) Edith H. (14) Karin D. (15) Karin C. (16) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to10:45 a.m.          

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons and Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature: 41 – 48/67 F later in the day. Wind South 10 – 20 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   28

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Mallard  3

2. Blue-winged Teal  2

3. Red-breasted Merganser  X     Dominant species in lagoons. Estimate ~ 60

4. Pied-billed Grebe  3

5. Horned Grebe  2

6. Double-crested Cormorant  7

7. Green Heron  1     One flew and perched along East Lagoon shore in front of birders. Known local nesters

8. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

9. Ring-billed Gull  X     Flyovers

10. Belted Kingfisher  1

11. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

12. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2

13. Downy Woodpecker  3

14. Northern Flicker  5

15. Eastern Phoebe  2

16. American Crow  3

17. Black-capped Chickadee  2

18. Brown Creeper  1

19. Golden-crowned Kinglet  1

20. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

21. American Robin  X

22. Brown Thrasher  2     Reported by Ben Sanders

23. European Starling  X

24. Dark-eyed Junco  1

25. Song Sparrow  8

26. Northern Cardinal  5

27. Common Grackle  1

28. Brown-headed Cowbird  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 recorded 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. Make a turn at the 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 04/04/2017 - 6:38pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 1, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

BIRDERS:        13      (1) Mark W., (2) Eric G., (3) Tobias G., (4) Randy S., (5) Bruce McC., (6) Gary M., (7) Jordan V., (8) Mary Nell M., (9) Eddie N., (10) Jennie S. (11) Karin C., (12) Karin D.,  (13) Pat D.

TIME:               8:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.        

PLACES:          Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Inner and Outer Harbors.

DISTANCE:     2.25 miles

WEATHER:     Partly cloudy. Temperature 36– 47 F., Winds NNE 5 - 10 mph

Once again, Randy did the recording and storytelling of our full morning of birding.

Randy’s Report:

I birded Jackson Park with Pat Durkin and the Audubon bird walk.  We covered Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow and the inner and outer harbors.  It was a beautiful morning with lots of birds including a few year birds.
Someone had found a COMMON LOON in the east lagoon before we arrived.  Later we got great looks at it from Wooded Island.  There were even more HOODED MERGANSERS (18) than Tuesday (16) in both lagoons.  I got my first GREAT BLUE HERONS of the year and a FOY BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, which was in a tree overhanging the lagoon on the south side of the island.  There was one or more TREE SWALLOWS (FOY) flying over the lagoons (I counted a conservative 2).  3 WOOD DUCKS flew over the island and there was a male BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the east lagoon.  A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and 2 WINTER WRENS were found on the island.  I heard an EASTERN BLUEBIRD (FOY) calling east of the woods by the meadow but before I could get to where it was I heard it calling as it moved north.
Having my scope along made it easier picking out GREATER SCAUP from the LESSER SCAUP and REDHEADS in the inner harbor.  At the south end of the harbor I picked out a few RING-NECKED DUCKS, then I noticed a couple male CANVASBACKS, then a female.  There was another female in the outer harbor.  There were still a couple COMMON GOLDENEYES in the inner harbor.  Out on Lake Michigan a male GADWALL flew in and landed near a big raft of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and there were a few more REDHEADS near the pier.  My full list is below.

Abbreviations: WI/BM=Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow, IH=inner harbor, OH=outer harbor, LM=Lake Michigan east of OH.

Canada Goose: WI/BM (28), OH (8)
Wood Duck: WI/BM (3)
Mallard: WI/BM (13), IH (6), OH (2)
Gadwall: LM (1)
Blue-winged Teal: WI/BM (1)
Canvasback: IH (3), OH (1)
Redhead: IH (19), LM (9)
Ring-necked Duck: IH (4)
Greater Scaup: IH (6), OH (2)
Lesser Scaup: IH (40)
Common Goldeneye: IH (2)
Bufflehead: OH (8)
Hooded Merganser: WI/BM (18), IH (1)
Red-breasted Merganser: WI/BM (89), IH (306), OH (10), LM (102)
Common Loon: WI/BM (1)
Horned Grebe: WI/BM (1), IH (1), OH (2), LM (1)
Pied-billed Grebe: WI/BM (4), IH (2)
Double-crested Cormorant: WI/BM (1)
Great Blue Heron: WI/BM (4)
Black-crowned Night-Heron: WI/BM (1)
Cooper's Hawk: WI/BM (2), OH (1)
Accipiter sp: WI/BM (1)
Red-tailed Hawk: WI/BM (1)
A. Coot: IH (11), OH (18)
Killdeer: WI/BM (2)
Ring-billed Gull: WI/BM (14), IH (1), OH (309)
Herring Gull: WI/BM (1), IH (1), OH (2)
Belted Kingfisher: WI/BM (2), IH (1)
Red-bellied Woodpecker: WI/BM (2)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: WI/BM (1)
Downy Woodpecker: WI/BM (5)
Hairy Woodpecker: WI/BM (1)
N. Flicker: WI/BM (3)
E. Phoebe: WI/BM (5), IH (1)
A. Crow: WI/BM (4), OH (1)
Tree Swallow: WI/BM (2)
Black-capped Chickadee: WI/BM (4)
Brown Creeper: WI/BM (3)
Winter Wren: WI/BM (2)
Golden-crowned Kinglet: WI/BM (5)
E. Bluebird: WI/BM (1)
A. Robin: WI/BM (21)
Euro. Starling: WI/BM (22)
Song Sparrow: WI/BM (21), IH (1)
Swamp Sparrow: WI/BM (3)
Dark-eyed Junco: WI/BM (7), OH (2)
sparrow sp: WI/BM (2)
N. Cardinal: WI/BM (7), IH (1)
Common Grackle: WI/BM (2)
Red-winged Blackbird: WI/BM (17)
Brown-headed Cowbird: WI/BM (7)
blackbird sp: WI/BM (5)
House Finch: WI/BM (2)
House Sparrow: WI/BM (6)

Randy Shonkwiler
Hyde Park/Chicago

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 recorded 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 in 2019. 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. Make a turn at the 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 6:39pm

Event date:

Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Once again Randy Shonkwiler has written a complete report of the birding adventures on this day. Randy posted the report on IBET and I will copy and paste his report here for all to read.

BIRDERS:      7. (1) Gary M.,(2) Jennie  S., (3) Mark W., (4) Eric G., (5) Randy S., (6) Karin D., (7) Karin C., (8) Marian N., (9) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Jackson Park       

PLACES:        Jackson Park, Wolf Lake, Big Marsh, Roxanna Marsh (IN) Gibson Woods (IN)

DISTANCE:    2.5 miles in Jackson Park. 1 mile in Gibson Woods

WEATHER:    Sunny. Cold. Temperature 19 – 21 F. Wind N 10-15 mph.

Randy’s Report:

I birded Chicago's Jackson Park with Pat and the Audubon group yesterday covering Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow and the harbors.  Later 4 of us headed to the Calumet area to bird a few sites on each side of the border.
The Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area was a bit slow.  We did see my FOY SWAMP SPARROW in the meadow with several SONG SPARROWS.  Bobolink Meadow was burned a few weeks ago and since then it has been the best place in the area for sparrows and other birds that like an open habitat.  There was a PIED-BILLED GREBE in the Columbia Basin the first seen in the park (by me) since 14 January and there was another in the outer harbor.  There were 2 male REDHEADS in the east lagoon, which would be the first of several hundred seen for the day.  Mark Webster spotted a GREAT BLUE HERON, which would have been a FOY for me but I missed it!  An immature RED-TAILED HAWK was at the inner harbor.  The number of LESSOR SCAUP there has gone down slightly from Tuesday but the REDHEAD number went up to 114.  There was also a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS in the inner harbor and 8 RING-NECKED DUCKS.  Mark and I finally found a couple male GREATER SCAUP in the outer harbor.
After Jackson Park we headed to Roxanna Marsh (not much there) and Gibson Woods Nature Center in Indiana.  At the latter location some members of the group witnessed two RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS (FOY) mating.  At the feeders was a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and, among several RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, was my FOY BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD.  At Wolf Lake we found a MUTE SWAN that had a fishing hook stuck in the knob above the bill and seemed to have the fishing line around its neck.  We told a park ranger about the bird and with him tried to see if it could be caught but it was able to fly a short distance on to the lake.  Bird Collision  Monitors were called and at last word they were waiting for a boat.  Along State Line Road there were several hundred birds.  Unfortunately for us Illinois birders they were almost all on the Indiana side.  On the Indiana side were ~376 REDHEADS, some CANVASBACKS, a couple RING-NECKED DUCKS, several GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON (FOY), unidentified scaup and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS.  On the Illinois side were 240 AMERICAN COOTS!  A large raptor flew over the Indiana side, as well.  Its size suggested an eagle but it looked like a Red-tailed Hawk based on color and other features.  If it was the latter, it was the biggest one I've ever seen!  I've decided to just call it a "hawk" sp.  We did find a scraggly looking immature BALD EAGLE (3rd year, I think) sitting in a tree at Indian Ridge Marsh.  We found Walter M. at Big Marsh who said he hadn't seen the Tundra Swan but found some N. PINTAILS (FOY), which I was able to put a scope on.  I found a few more to the north of these and also spotted 2 pairs of AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS (FOY). Wish we had seen some of the birds seen by Carl and Steve but it was a nice day!  My full list follows below.

Abbreviations: WI/BM=Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow, IH=inner harbor, OH=outer harbor, LM=Lake Michigan east of OH, RM=Roxana Marsh, GW=Gibson Woods, WLIL=Wolf Lake Illinois side, WLIN=Wolf Lake Indiana side, IRM=Indian Ridge Marsh, BM=Big Marsh.

Canada Goose: WI/BM (47), IH (11), RM (19), GW (2), WLIL (124), WLIN (21), BM (7)
Mute Swan: WLIL (16), WLIN (3), BM (15)
Swan sp: WLIL (1)
Mallard: WI/BM (8), IH (7), OH (8), RM (25), GW (5), WLIL (4), WLIN (2), BM (9)
A. Black Duck: BM (4)
Gadwall: RM (1), WLIN (7), BM (29)
N. Pintail: BM (7)
A. Wigeon: WLIN (5)
N. Shoveler: BM (2)
Canvasback: WLIN (8)
Redhead: WI/BM (2), IH (114), WLIN (376)
Ring-necked Duck: IH (8), WLIN (2)
Greater Scaup: OH (2)
Lesser Scaup: IH (70), OH (4)
Greater/Lesser Scaup: OH (2), WLIN (5)
Common Goldeneye: WI/BM (1), IH (3), OH (1)
Bufflehead: IH (2), OH (2), BM (1)
Hooded Merganser: IH (2)
Red-breasted Merganser: WI/BM (9), IH (51), LM (5), WLIL (2), WLIN (7)
duck sp. (most prob. R.-b. Mergs): LM (30)
Horned Grebe: IH (3), OH (1)
Pied-billed Grebe: WI/BM (1), OH (1), RM (1)
Great Blue Heron: WI/BM (1)
Cooper's Hawk: GW (1)
Red-shouldered Hawk: GW (2)
Red-tailed Hawk: IH (1), GW (1)
Bald Eagle: IRM (1)
hawk sp: WLIN (1), IRM (1)
A. Coot: OH (24), WLIL (240), WLIN (1)
Ring-billed Gull: WI/BM (33), IH (1), LM (3), OH (441), RM (120), WLIL (5), WLIN (3)
Herring Gull: WI/BM (1), LM (1), OH (5)
Rock Pigeon: RM (15)
Mourning Dove: WI/BM (1), GW (1), WLIL (1)
Red-bellied Woodpecker: GW (1)
Downy Woodpecker: WI/BM (2), IH (1)
N. Flicker: WI/BM (2)
Blue Jay: GW (1)
A. Crow: WI/BM (2), OH (1), IRM (1)
Black-capped Chickadee: WI/BM (4)
White-breasted Nuthatch: GW (1)
A. Robin: WI/BM (2), GW (2), WLIL (4)
Euro. Starling: GW (2)
A. Tree Sparrow: GW (7), WLIL (5), WLIN (3)
Song Sparrow: WI/BM (11), IH (1), WLIL (3), WLIN (4)
Swamp Sparrow: WI/BM (1), GW (1)
Dark-eyed Junco: WI/BM (3)
White-crowned Sparrow: GW (1)
N. Cardinal: WI/BM (7), IH (1), GW (3), WLIN (1)
Common Grackle: GW (5)
Red-winged Blackbird: WI/BM (3), GW (57), WLIL (1), IRM (1), BM (1)
Brown-headed Cowbird: GW (1)
House Finch: GW (5)
A. Goldfinch: GW (3)
House Sparrow: WI/BM (3), GW (30)

Randy Shonkwiler
Hyde Park/Chicago

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 recorded 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. Make a turn at the 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 6:36pm

Event date:

Saturday, March 4, 2017 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

You might wonder why we would bother to get up and go out in the cold windy morning. Aside from the birds, some of us awaited the delivery of our Girl Scouts Cookies that Mark Webster brought in behalf of his daughter Emma. 

Wooded Island, the lagoons are soccer field were bereft of birds. Bobolink Meadow and the harbors were worth the outing.

BIRDERS:      8.  (1) Jennie S., (2) Randy S., (3) Mark W., (4)Raman S., (5) Renate G., (6) Marian N., (7) Rick R., (8) Pat D.

TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 11: 04 a.m.

PLACES:        North Basin, East & West Lagoons, Wooded Island, Soccer Field, Bobolink Meadow, Lakefront, Outer and Inner Harbor

DISTANCE:  2.5 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Cold, Temperature 28 – 31 F., Brisk cold winds off the Lake – SE 10 – 20 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  30

Randy S. was our compiler for this morning’s outing.  Randy always makes my job easier. He sends me his eBird Reports and I just have to Copy and Paste.

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area, Cook, Illinois, US Mar 4, 2017 8:09 AM - 9:55 AM

Canada Goose  20

Mallard  6

Common Goldeneye  3

Red-breasted Merganser  13

Cooper's Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  1     Seen by Mark Webster

Killdeer  1     In the burned Bobolink Meadow

Ring-billed Gull  27     26 ad., 1 1st cyc.

Herring Gull  3

Larus sp.  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     Seen by other members of my party

Downy Woodpecker  6

Hairy Woodpecker  2

American Crow  8

Black-capped Chickadee  6

American Robin  17     All in Bobolink Meadow

European Starling  9     All but 1 in Bobolink Meadow

American Tree Sparrow  2     In Bobolink Meadow

Dark-eyed Junco  11     All in Bobolink Meadow

Song Sparrow  12     All in Bobolink Meadow; 4 singing

Northern Cardinal  6

Red-winged Blackbird  7     All in Bobolink Meadow

House Sparrow  1

Jackson Park, Chicago--Inner/Outer Harbors, Cook, Illinois, US Mar 4, 2017 10:00 AM - 11:04 AM

Canada Goose  12     5 OH, 7 IH

Redhead  44     In the early morning there were ~100 in the inner harbor; 2 LM, 42 IH

Ring-necked Duck  7     IH

Greater Scaup  23     IH

Lesser Scaup  17     IH

Greater/Lesser Scaup  40     Flushed before I could count them.

Bufflehead  1     OH

Common Goldeneye  7     3 OH, 4 IH

Red-breasted Merganser  66     36 LM, 19 OH, 11 IH

Horned Grebe  2     OH

Ring-billed Gull  344     OH; 339 ad., 5 1st cyc.

Herring Gull  8     1 LM, 6 OH, 1 IH; 6 ad., 1 1st cyc., 1 ad./3rd cyc.

Larus sp.  2     LM

American Crow  2     1 OH, 1 IH

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at 57th Street Science Drive. Make a turn at the 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: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both 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