Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 08/10/2015 - 7:55pm
Event date:
Saturday, August 8, 2015 - 8:00am
Location:
-
Hello to All,
Containers for native plants were found near the Music Bridge. Plugs are being planted. The elaborate irrigation system remains idle. The plants could use a drink.
The Beaver made a brief periscope appearance that was spotted by Karin D.
After brunch at Sunrise Restaurant in Whiting, IN Karin C., Karin D. and I checked out Whiting’s beach and new lakefront park and pier. It will be a worthwhile spot to check for winter waterfowl. We did observe two wedding parties. Youth has such courage.
BIRDERS: 9. Marian N., Jennie S., Leo H., Caroline H., Mark W. and his father Phil visiting from England, Karin C., Karin D., and Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:25 a.m.
PLACES: Bobolink Meadow, East & North Lagoons, and view of the eastside of Wooded Island.
WEATHER: Sunny. Temperature 72 F., Wind NE/NW 5 – 10 mph
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 32
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. Mark Webster shared his personal list for this report.
Canada Goose – 5.
Mallard – X. “Blondie” was seen alone in the distance.
Double-crested Cormorant – 7. Great fishing for them.
Great Blue Heron – 5.
Green Heron – 1.
Black-crowned Night Heron – 1. Juvenile with nape fuzz. Standing on concrete embankment on the west side of the Music Bridge.
Cooper’s Hawk – 1 Juvenile.
Spotted Sandpiper – 2. Possibly 3.
Ring-billed Gull- X. Fly about.
Caspian Tern – 1.
Chimney Swift – X.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 2.
Emp. Species – 1.
Eastern Phoebe – 1. Juvenile.
Eastern Kingbird – 2.
American Crow – 1.
Purple Martin – X.
Barn Swallow – X. 24 juveniles were perched on a single branch over the water, awaiting flight training.
Black-capped Chickadee – X. Heard.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 4.
American Robin – X.
Gray Catbird – 3.
European Starling – X. Flocks.
Cedar Waxwing – 3.
Yellow Warbler – 3.
Song Sparrow – 3. Others heard.
Northern Cardinal – 2.
Indigo Bunting – 2. One adult male with an adult female. A juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird was with them. Oh, well.
Red-winged Blackbird – 4.
Brown-headed Cowbird – 1. Juvenile.
American Goldfinch – X.
House Sparrow – 3.
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 more than a year. 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