Hello everyone,

It was a lovely late fall day with brilliant sun, but surprisingly few birds. The strong north wind must have convinced them to sleep late this morning. We did have a special visitor today though - Karin found a Lapland Longspur in the meadow! She and Marian accidentally flushed it as they walked along the path and Karin could tell that it was not one of our usual birds.  Fortunately, Randy came along and was able to help with the I.D.  The Longspur was a lifer for both Karin and Marian – congrats to both of you! We also had several large flocks of crows fly over, more than we usually see. Seemed appropriate for Halloween.

BIRDERS:  Cheryl, Marian, Eric, Karin, Jane, Kathy, Eli, Pam, Bamboo, Marisa and Jennie

TIME:   8:00am to 10:15am   

WEATHER: Sunny, clear, in the 30s, rising to the 40s.

Compiler: Cheryl        

Canada Goose   Number observed: 293

Mallard   Number observed :4

Pied-billed Grebe   Number observed: 1

Ring-billed Gull   Number observed: 3

Great Blue Heron   Number observed: 1

Cooper's Hawk   Number observed 1

Belted Kingfisher   Number observed: 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker   Number observed: 1

Downy Woodpecker   Number observed: 1

American Crow   Number observed: 29

Black-capped Chickadee   Number observed: 5

Winter Wren   Number observed: 1

European Starling   Number observed: 1

American Robin   Number observed: 1

American Goldfinch   Number observed: 2

Lapland Longspur   Number observed: 1*

Details: Observed in a tree just south of the Pine tree in Bobolink Meadow

American Tree Sparrow   Number observed: 1

White-throated Sparrow   Number observed: 1

Northern Cardinal   Number observed: 2 

*Observed by Karin D, confirmed by Randy S. who was nearby, Randy S. posted pictures on eBird. 

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year-round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. and cover a distance of two miles.  Birders walk from the meeting spot counterclockwise 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. After crossing the Music Bridge birders walk through the parking lot and around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) and return to our meeting spot.  In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront at the Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital and the Inner Harbor after the Wooded Island walk.

Meeting Spot:  Birders meet on the west shore of the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon).  Park on Stony Island Avenue near 59th Street, walk east across the parkland area, then cross Cornell Drive to reach the spot.

Good birding everyone,

Jennie

Photo: Hooded Merganser by Scott Keys/Audubon Photography Awards