Hello to All,
Once again, the Chimney Swifts were here, there and everywhere.
The Philadelphia Vireo was a great sighting made by Abhimanyu L. The bird was discovered near the center of Wooded Island. Field guides tomes were consulted. Seen by all birders.
It is safe to say that summer has past. Pied-billed Grebes are in the lagoons.
Sadly, two faithful irregulars of the Wooded Island Bird Walks, David and Naomi are relocating back to Northern California. Like birds, people migrate too. We enjoyed their company, birds, as well as David and Naomi. Safe travels to all.
BIRDERS: 16 (1) Cheryl M., (2) Joyce G., (3) Mary O., (4) Jeff K.W., (5) Brandan W., (6) Karen P., (7) Abhimanyu L., (8) Jennie S., (9) Rossy N., (10) Eric G., (11) Inad Q., (12) Karin D., (13) David P., (14) Naomi D., (15) Philomena B., and (16) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
PLACES: Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow
DISTANCE: 2 miles
WEATHER: Sunny. Temperature 39 to 54 F. Wind SW with gusts 20 to 30 mph
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 30 (+1 other taxa)
1. Canada Goose 29
2. Wood Duck 13
3. Mallard 5
4. Pied-billed Grebe 2
5. Chimney Swift 185
6. Ring-billed Gull 3
7. Double-crested Cormorant 6
8. Great Blue Heron 3
9. Great Egret 1
10. Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
11. Cooper's Hawk 1
12. Red-tailed Hawk 1 Juvenile. Flew to Wooded Island from Darrow Bridge.
13. Belted Kingfisher 2
14. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
15. Downy Woodpecker 3
16. Northern Flicker 3
17. falcon sp. 1
18. Philadelphia Vireo 1 Center of Wooded Island. Good views by all birders.
19. American Crow 1
20. Black-capped Chickadee 3
21. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
22. White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Heard
23. Gray Catbird 3
24. Hermit Thrush 3
25. American Robin 1
26. American Goldfinch 6
27. White-crowned Sparrow 1
28. White-throated Sparrow 2
29. Palm Warbler 2
30. Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
31. Northern Cardinal 3
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
Wooded Island Bird Walks