Wooded Island Bird Walk Report July 14, 2018
Submitted by Jennie Strable on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 11:50am
Event date: Saturday, July 14, 2018 - 8:00am Location:
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Hello to All,
Yep. We birded in the rain. Can’t explain. Normal birder behavior. Afterward, Jennie S., Karin D., Marian N. and I celebrated Karin Cassel’s birthday at Svea, a Swedish restaurant on north Clark Street.
Then we ventured to Volo Bog in Lake County Illinois in search of the family of Sandhill Cranes that successfully nested in that vast preserve. Some birders saw a pair on Sandhill Cranes on the extensive grounds of Baxter Laboratories. But no cranes were seen or heard at Volo Bog.
There are two trails in the Bog. One is what is called a “floating” boardwalk. If you have pre-existing balance issues, this boardwalk will be a challenge. The trick is to let the person in front of you move to the next segment before you step onto the section that they just left. Nothing rare or unusual was seen or heard. There is a visitor center and the grounds around the building and parking lot is well kept. Aquatic Prairie plants, with plenty of arrowroot, are in the bogs.
BIRDERS: 7
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
PLACES: North Basin, Wooded Island, Lagoons & Bobolink Meadow
DISTANCE: 2 miles
WEATHER: Light warm rain throughout the Walk. Temperature 72+ F.
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 29
Jackson Park Birds:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck – female with young
Mallard – female with young.
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron – 2. North Basin and East Lagoon near the Japanese Garden.
Black-crowned Night Heron – one adult was perched high in a tree to the left of the Japanese Garden entrance.
Hawk species – 1. Quick flight and exit through the Japanese Garden
Ring-billed Gull
Caspian Tern – 2
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
American Crow
Purple Martin – 35+ what a sight to see male, female, adult and young perched side-by-side on the antennas of the Houses. The gentle rain provided a warm shower. I have never seen this line up before.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallows – few near MSI portico.
Barn Swallow
House Wren
Gary Catbird
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Cedar Waxwing
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole – 2. South side of Music Bridge.
House Finch
American Goldfinch
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.
Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.
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 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: 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