Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 10/16/2016 - 4:54pm
Event date:
Saturday, October 15, 2016 - 8:00am
Location:
-
Hello to All,
Sad news to report: The tall snag located on the southeast corner of Wooded Island has been trimmed of horizontal branches. Why??? Perches are now limited to a few flat exposed surfaces.
A couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers were around. Randy found some Palm Warblers too, plus sparrows: White-crowned, White-throated and Dark-eyed Juncos. We were challenged to get a glimpse.
The male Hooded Merganser and female Belted Kingfisher were nice to see.
We also struggled with raptor identification. (Hal, we needed you!)There was definitely a Red-tailed Hawk on the Island. We had a small raptor who kept its’ back to us on the Island. The possibility of a Kestrel existed. A raptor flew low from the Island to the woods at the north end of the Meadow. I saw the slate gray back and a white rump band and long tail, and thought it was a Northern Harrier. But then again, I am have overemphasized the white band. It could have been a Cooper’s Hawk. So these remain in the possibility column. Being intellectually honest is our goal, although it affects our count of birds clearly identified.
BIRDERS: 12. (1) Karin C., (2) Gary M., (3) Karin D., (4) Jennie S., (5) Caroline H., (6) Eric G., (7) Shelly G., (8) Tracy W., (9) Evan, (10) Raman S., (11) Glyn D., (12) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
PLACES: Bobolink Meadow, East Lagoon
WEATHER: Drizzle at the start. Overcast. Temperature 54 – 58 F., Winds moderate SSW 10 – 20 mph, Humidity 98%, Dew Point 58 degrees.
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 23
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.
Canada Goose 60 Large flock at south end of East Lagoon. Small flocks in flight.
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 2
Hooded Merganser 1 Male. Solo. Beautiful plumage.
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Black-crowned Night-Heron 6
Red-tailed Hawk 1
hawk sp. 1
Ring-billed Gull 6 fly overs
Chimney Swift 25
Belted Kingfisher 1 Female
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
American Robin 4
European Starling 200 Murmurations in flight.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
American Goldfinch 8
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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.
The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.
Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.
Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. 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.
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