Photo credit: Common grackle by Heather Orkis
Greetings to all,
Fall migration is in full swing, and the species we’re seeing are changing every week. Though the calendar says mid-September, the temperatures certainly haven’t felt like it!
This week, we welcomed the Palm Warblers back, and a couple of members were lucky enough to spot a Yellow-rumped Warbler—sure signs that the seasons are changing. Fortunately, no Juncos have been spotted yet!
The inner meadow (the old rose garden) was brimming with activity. Two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds put on an aerial display as they chased each other and went after many of the other birds in the area. We still have all three heron species in the park, along with two Great Egrets. An agitated Green Heron even flashed its bushy crest, much to our delight.
The raptors were still abundant as well, and we were especially excited to see a Merlin perched in the dead tree by the Darrow Bridge. While the parkway between Stony Island and Cornell was still full of warblers, we noticed that the web-worms seem to have diminished. The starving warblers are getting ready for their next long journey.
As a note for those who have not walked with us for some time, the path behind the museum is now closed and with the Darrow Bridge still closed, we are forced to walk around the front of MSI, This adds a solid half mile on to the walk. Also, this coming Saturday is The Urban Birding Festival. The walk is scheduled to have 15 registered participants so any help would be appreciated. Unfortunately, rain is also expected.
BIRDERS: Luther, Cheryl, Marian, Eric, Sharon, Laurie, Kristin, Curt, Mark N., Sandra, Howard, Leslie, Traci, JoAnn, Val, Madhu, Mark W., Sarah W., Amir, Sarah B., Larry, Pat, Jan, and welcome to James and Alina
TIME: 8:00am to 12:08pm
WEATHER: 84 degrees and sunny
Compiler: Cheryl
Observations
1. Canada Goose Number observed: 31
2. Wood Duck Number observed: 28
3. Mallard Number observed: 16
4. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Number observed: 1
5. Chimney Swift Number observed: 97
6. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Number observed: 8
7. Ring-billed Gull Number observed: 5
8. Black-crowned Night Heron Number observed: 1
9. Green Heron Number observed: 2
10. Great Egret Number observed: 2
11. Great Blue Heron Number observed: 7
12. Turkey Vulture Number observed: 2
13. Cooper's Hawk Number observed: 1
14. Red-tailed Hawk Number observed: 1
15. Downy Woodpecker Number observed: 3
16. Hairy Woodpecker Number observed: 1
17. Northern Flicker Number observed: 5
18. Merlin Number observed: 1
19. Peregrine Falcon Number observed: 1
20. small falcon sp. Number observed: 1
21. Eastern Wood-Pewee Number observed: 1
22. Least Flycatcher Number observed: 1
23. Eastern Warbling Vireo Number observed: 8
24. Red-eyed Vireo Number observed: 4
25. American Crow Number observed: 1
26. Black-capped Chickadee Number observed: 9
27. White-breasted Nuthatch Number observed: 6
28. Red-breasted Nuthatch Number observed: 1
29. European Starling Number observed: 6
30. Gray Catbird Number observed: 7
31. Brown Thrasher Number observed: 1
32. Veery Number observed: 1
33. Gray-cheeked Thrush Number observed: 1
34. Swainson's Thrush Number observed: 7
35. Wood Thrush Number observed: 1
36. American Robin Number observed: 23
37. Cedar Waxwing Number observed: 10
38. House Sparrow Number observed: 2
39. House Finch Number observed: 3
40. American Goldfinch Number observed: 15
41. Nashville Warbler Number observed: 2
42. Mourning Warbler Number observed: 1
43. Common Yellowthroat Number observed: 2
44. American Redstart Number observed: 5
45. Cape May Warbler Number observed: 8
46. Magnolia Warbler Number observed: 5
47. Bay-breasted Warbler Number observed: 9
48. Blackburnian Warbler Number observed: 1
49. Northern Yellow Warbler Number observed: 1
50. Chestnut-sided Warbler Number observed: 2
51. Blackpoll Warbler Number observed: 6
52. Palm Warbler Number observed: 5
53. Black-throated Green Warbler Number observed: 3
54. Wilson's Warbler Number observed: 1
55. Northern Cardinal Number observed: 2
If you’d like more information about a bird, check out the All About Birds ID guide:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/
Corrections, additions, and comments are welcome.
Best of Birding to all,
Cheryl and Jennie