Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 12:53pm
Event date:
Saturday, September 9, 2017 - 8:00am
Location:
-
Hello to All,
We were treated to an encore performance by Team Eastern Bluebirds. This week they staged their performance on and near the east fence bordering the soccer field. See below for more comments.
Warbler numbers were scant, but a few new species were found. Of note was the Blue-winged Warbler and the duo, ortrio, Pine Warblers.
Several Great Black Wasps were working the plants along the trail in Bobolink Meadow. According to a resource found by Eric G. the wasps "may look mean but are disinterested in humans" and a benefit to a garden.
BIRDERS: 11. (1) Karin C., (2) Jennie S., (3) Gary M., (4) Bruce McC., (5) Marian N., (6) Steve B., (7) Laurie & (8) Marilyn M., (9) Eric G., (10) Karin D., (11) Ben S. newly returned from two months volunteering at a Eco lodge in Peru, and this morning’s Lake Michigan pelagic trip with nil sightings, (12) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
PLACES: Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow
DISTANCE: Two miles
WEATHER: Sunny. Temperature 62 – 69 F. Wind NE 5 – 15mph
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 39
Canada Goose 39
Wood Duck 7
Mallard 28
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Spotted in the East Lagoon from the Music Bridge by Ben S.
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 6
Cooper's Hawk 1 Perched on an oak tree branch, at the SW end of Wooded Island, just off the center wooded path.
Ring-billed Gull 6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 13
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 2
American Crow 6
Black-capped Chickadee 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Eastern Bluebird 4 What a wonderful sight! This group posed on the top bar of the fence at the east end of the soccer field. They would fly off the bar and grab a bug snack, then back up on the bar. We were enthralled. With their medium blue capes and orange vests, they are the most beautiful of creatures to behold. At the base of a fence a dozen Palm Warblers were feasting on the numerous gnats and other bugs. Just a sheer delight to see!
Swainson's Thrush 2
American Robin 13
thrush sp. 4
Gray Catbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 4
Northern Waterthrush 2 Spotted by Jennie S. & Eric G. along the south portion of the shore - Japanese Garden.
Blue-winged Warbler 1 Possibly two. Found by Eric G. in a large oak tree in the center of Wooded Island. This tree is best observed from the gravel path that cuts east-west across the center of the cement paths, and is north of the Old Rose Garden area. This large oak also hosted a trio of White-breasted Nuthatches.
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
American Redstart 3
Magnolia Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 9 A large group eating bugs on the grass at the east end of the soccer field.
Pine Warbler 2 Japanese Garden. First seen in the skinny tall pine tree on the north side of the pavilion. Then the couple cavorted in a nearby tree hanging over the west end of the pavilion. Most birders saw the pair. Where to look for a Pine Warbler? Try a pine tree.
Wilson's Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
American Goldfinch 1
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.
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 Street 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: 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 59thStreet.
Best of Birding to All,
Patricia Durkin