Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 09/07/2015 - 11:50am
Event date:
Saturday, September 5, 2015 - 8:00am
Location:
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Hello to All,
For those who enjoy Gene Kelly’s “Singing in the Rain” movie clip, this morning’s Walk offered the opportunity to be the star, with additional thunder in the song track. We thought that the little cells of quick rain in the South Loop and parts North would be all that was coming down. Not so. Jackson Park and Hyde Park got a heavy downpour for a full hour. We were soaked! Rained out! Come next Saturday morning, we shall return.
BIRDERS: 18 +. Tao J., Eddie N., Jennie S., Karin C., Jenny B., Bruce M., Cayla M. and Eric H. – new to Bird Walk, Hal C. – Long Time – No See, Rick R., Tracy W., Maury B. and Maija B. – new to Bird Walk, Eric G., Marian N., Mark W. and young Emma W., Pat D. Honorable mention for Karin D. who made it to the east parking lot, under an oak tree, but whose forward progress was arrested by the thunderstorm.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. – Called early due to thunderstorm.
PLACES: North end of Bobolink Meadow under the protection of an old willow tree along the path near the shore of the East Lagoon.
WEATHER: Partly Cloudy at the start. Temperature 72 F. Sudden heavy thunderstorm began at 8:30 a.m.
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 9
Canada Goose – 16. Flew low in formation over the birders.
Double-crested Cormorant – 2.
Great Blue Heron – 2.
Wood Duck – 1. Female. North Lagoon.
Mallard – 32. 30 in the North Lagoon.
White-breasted Nuthatch – 1. Heard by Hal Cohen. West side of east parking lot.
Spotted Sandpiper – 1. The Mayor of the East Lagoon. On a log with Cormorant.
Black-capped Chickadee – Heard.
American Goldfinch – Heard.
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. 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