Hello everyone,
As we approached the Island and the Darrow Bridge, Cheryl pointed out that she didn’t hear any Purple Martins and indeed, there were none to be seen at their houses. Although we did find a few later on the walk, it’s apparent that most of them have begun their journey south.
A highlight came at the end of the walk when we encountered an Eastern Bluebird family behind the museum. Two adults were feeding 2 hungry fledglings. Such a cute family!
BIRDERS: A warm welcome to new participants Carolyn, Sharon, Jen, Kevin, Letitia, Tom and Deja! Also present were Cheryl, Karin, Renate, Marisa and Jennie
TIME: 8:00am to 10:30am
WEATHER: Clear skies, hot and humid
Thank you to Cheryl for sharing her list!
31 Canada Goose
23 Mallard
1 Spotted Sandpiper Details: Seen on the Eastern shore, Southern tip of Heron (large) Island.
1 Great Egret Details: Hanging out by the Music Bridge
1 Black-crowned Night-Heron Details: Juvenile, observed sitting on a log on the East side of the large Island
1 Cooper's Hawk Details: Seen overhead while in the meadow, being chased by many smaller birds
2 Great Crested Flycatcher Details: Seen in the western crabapple tree in back of the museum. Definitely 2, as most of the group was looking at a different section of the tree while Jennie S. and I were looking at another. 1 appeared to be a juvenile with streaks on the breast.
11 Eastern Kingbird Details: Born and raised in Jackson Park!
3 Purple Martin Details: The numbers are dwindling. We didn’t even hear them like we normally do when we start the walk near the Darrow Bridge.
27 Barn Swallow
9 Gray Catbird Details: We heard them everywhere but were being so elusive. We finally spotted one near the bathroom on the plank bridge.
4 Eastern Bluebird Details: Flying back and forth between the crabapple trees in back of the museum. They appeared to be 2 adults and 2 juveniles.
20 American Goldfinch Details: They were everywhere. Some appear to be changing colors already.
1 Chipping Sparrow Details: Also in back of the museum along with the Blue- Gray Gnatcatchers, the Eastern Bluebirds, some Chickadees and the Great Crested Flycatchers. Those trees were awesome today. We almost took the shortest across the Darrow bridge now that we can get through but there was a Wedding party taking pictures. Glad we took the long way.
4 Baltimore Oriole Details:2 Adults and what appears to be 2 juvenile
2 Red-winged Blackbird Details: We have noticed the decline in numbers as August goes on.
2 Northern Cardinal Details: Heard only
33 total species observed
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: Cedar Waxwing by Arni Stinnissen/Audubon Photography Awards