Submitted by Jennie Strable on Thu, 10/04/2018 - 12:56pm
Event date:
Saturday, September 22, 2018 - 8:00am
Location:
-
Hello to All,
The seasons are changing. Although this is migration season, there were a paltry number of birds to be seen or heard on our slow walk. All was quiet. Although the wind was strong, there were plenty of bugs in the air.
Can’t blame it on the solo American Kestrel, who was busy priming its flight feathers, before flying off in a southerly direction.
The two Great Egrets were kind enough to fly in from the west and stay the morning around the East Lagoon.
Sometimes, it just turns out to be a quiet walk outdoors, and that is satisfying in itself.
BIRDERS: 4. (1) Jack M. – a new birder, U of C graduate student, (2) Jennie S., (3) Karin D., and (4) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
PLACES: Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow
DISTANCE: 2 miles
WEATHER: Sunny. Temperature 59 to 64 F., Wind NE 2 – 15 mph. Lake water choppy.
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 18 (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 81
Wood Duck 12 All in East Lagoon.
Mallard 6
Mallard (Domestic type) 1 Same Mankey Mallard in the North Lagoon with wild Mallards
Chimney Swift 12 Reported by Karin D.
Ring-billed Gull 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2 While walking across the North Bridge to Wooded Island, two Great Egrets flew low, from West to East, and landed in the East Lagoon, where they remained, changing locations, during our Walk. I wonder if they had roosted overnight in Washington Park.
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 Flying low over the shoreline of the Japanese Garden.
Belted Kingfisher 1 Mostly in and around the East Lagoon.
Downy Woodpecker 1 South end of Wooded Island.
American Kestrel 1 Perched high on the willow tree at the north end of Bobolink Meadow. Eventually flew south.
American Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 1
American Goldfinch 12
White-throated Sparrow 9 First fall sighting. Reported by Jennie S.
American Redstart 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 1 Center of Wooded Island, where adult was often seen during the summer.
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
Chicago Audubon Society Representative