Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 12/12/2016 - 8:14pm

Event date:

Saturday, December 10, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello everyone,

Winter has definitely arrived.  It was a very chilly morning but we braved the elements long enough to find a few nice birds on the Island, in the Meadow and lots of ducks in the harbor.  Many thanks to Randy for sending me his e-bird reports as I did not want to take my hands out of my gloves to keep the list!

BIRDERS:         Gary, Karin C., Karin D., Renate, Eric, Randy and Jennie

TIME:               8:00am to approximately 10:00am

PLACES:           Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Outer Harbor and Inner Harbor

WEATHER:      Temps in the 20s, light winds, partly sunny changing to cloudy as the morning progressed.

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area, Cook, Illinois, US
Dec 10, 2016 8:03 AM - 9:46 AM
Protocol: Transect
2.82 mile(s)
18 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  19
Common Goldeneye  1
Hooded Merganser  1    fem.
Great Blue Heron  3    immature birds
Red-tailed Hawk  1    adult
Killdeer  2    On the soccer fields
Ring-billed Gull  3
Larus sp.  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2    fem's
Downy Woodpecker  3    1 m., 2 fem.
Northern Flicker  2    1 m., 1 not det.
Monk Parakeet  1
American Crow  6
Black-capped Chickadee  1
American Robin  1
American Tree Sparrow  13
Dark-eyed Junco  13
Northern Cardinal  13    5 m., 7 fem., 1 not det.
American Goldfinch  2

Jackson Park, Chicago--Inner/Outer Harbors, Cook, Illinois, US
Dec 10, 2016 9:50 AM - 11:17 AM
Protocol: Transect
0.88 mile(s)
Comments:    OH=outer harbor, LM=Lake Michigan and shore east of OH, IH=inner harbor.
17 species

Canada Goose  320    152 OH, 82 LM, 86 IH
Mallard  90    49 m., 41 fem.; 67 OH, 23 IH
Canvasback  2    1 m., 1 fem. OH
Redhead  17    11 m., 6 fem. OH
Ring-necked Duck  2    1 m., 1 fem. OH
Greater Scaup  73    33 m., 40 fem.; 72 OH, 1 IH
Lesser Scaup  5    2 m., 3 fem. OH
Bufflehead  11    7 m., 4 fem.; 10 OH, 1 IH
Common Goldeneye  9    4 m., 5 fem.; 5 OH, 4 IH
Hooded Merganser  2    1 m., 1 fem. OH
Red-breasted Merganser  45    7 ad. m., 33 fem./imm.; 35 OH, 2 LM, 8 IH
Pied-billed Grebe  1    OH
American Coot  116    OH
Ring-billed Gull  140    113 OH, 27 LM
Herring Gull  19    18 ad., 1 3rd cyc.; 17 OH, 2 LM
American Crow  6    IH
European Starling  500    IH

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by a least several or all the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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. 

Note on Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, and the work is not expected to begin until 2017 at the earliest. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot, where metered parking is available. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.

Note on 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 59th to 56thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                     

Jennie, sitting in for Pat today.

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 11/20/2016 - 5:46pm

Event date:

Saturday, November 19, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The strong winds made the cold that much more penetrable. With proper layering of clothing, one could endure and watch for birds. We quickened our pace today because of the dearth of birds along the way.

A single bird was seen on Wooded Island – a Dark-eyed Junco.

Seven mature trees were cut down in the area north of Wooded Island.  There is no stopping the utter destruction of what were once Wooded Island and its surrounding area.

The Outer Harbor still holds Buffleheads and Scaup.

After brunch in Whiting, IN, a few of us continue on to Gibson Woods in Hammond, INfor solace and the company of birds.  The Red-shoulder Hawk is still around.

BIRDERS:      5.         (1) Jennie S., (2) Eric G., (3) Karin D., (4) Tracy W., (5) Pat D.     

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.

DISTANCE:    2 Miles

PLACES:        Wooded Island, North, East & West Lagoons, Soccer Field, Bobolink Meadow

WEATHER:    Overcast. Snow flurries early on. Strong gusty winds WNW 25 – 35 mph, Temperature 37 -40 F., Humidity 67%, Dew Point 26 degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   12

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  X     Several hundred on lagoons, in flight and on the driving range.

2. Pied-billed Grebe  1     East Lagoon

3. Great Blue Heron  4

4. Ring-billed Gull  1     Occasional Fly overs.

5. Downy Woodpecker  1     Male

6. Northern Flicker  3     A Flicker dug for ants along the edge of the wood chip path through Bobolink Meadow

7. American Crow  3

8. Black-capped Chickadee  2

9. White-breasted Nuthatch  1     Heard.

10. American Tree Sparrow  2

11. Dark-eyed Junco  1

12. American Goldfinch  6

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 11/20/2016 - 5:43pm

Event date:

Saturday, November 12, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

For the third week in a row, there were not many birds around.  Our trip to the Outer Harbor yielded a few more birds. Bufflehead, GreaterScaup and a single female or immature Canvasback were found.

After brunch at Sunrise Restaurant in Whiting, IN, five of us headed to Gibson Woods in Hammond, IN for great viewing from the bird room in the comfort of easy chairs.  A Cooper’s Hawk perched near the feeders for well over an hour.  It left without supper as best we could tell.  We saw both White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches as well as both House and a couple of Purple Finches.  It is rare to see Purple Finches anymore. Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were regular feeder visitors.

BIRDERS:      13        (1) Caroline H., (2) Eric G., (3) Tobias G., (4) Jennie S., (5)Kate S. – Journalist to plans to write an article about our Walks for a Midwest magazine, (6) Tracy W., (7)Gary M, (9) Bill D., (9) Renate G., (10) Karin C., (11) Karin D., (12) Raman S., (13) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.         

PLACES:        Columbia Basin (North Lagoon), Wooded Island, Soccer Field, Bobolink Meadow, East and West Lagoons. 

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 41 to 53 F, Wind SW 10 – 15 mph, Humidity 73%, Dew Point 30 degrees. The temperature warmed up after 45 minutes and the wind died down.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   21

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Wooded Island/Lagoons/ Soccer Field/Bobolink Meadow:

1. Canada Goose  X

2. Mallard  1

3. Hooded Merganser  1     Female. North Lagoon

4. Pied-billed Grebe  1

5. Great Blue Heron  6

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Juvenile. East Lagoon. Perched on a branch all morning

7. Cooper's Hawk  1

8. Ring-billed Gull  4     Fly overs

9. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     Possibly more than one. Seen East Parking Lot, South end and center of Wooded Island.

10. Downy Woodpecker  1

11. Northern Flicker  3

12. American Crow  11

13. European Starling  6

14. American Tree Sparrow  1

15. Dark-eyed Junco  1

16. Northern Cardinal  3

17. American Goldfinch  1

Outer Harbor:

1. Canada Goose  X

2. Mallard  2

3. Canvasback  1     female or immature male

4. Greater Scaup  14     male and female

5. Bufflehead  12     Both male and female

6. American Coot  2

7. Ring-billed Gull  X

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 11/06/2016 - 4:45pm

Event date:

Saturday, November 5, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Bird species in Jackson Park was again low in count for the second week. The human species made up for the deficit in a wonderful way.

When we arrived in the Japanese Garden we discovered a young couple who were as shy as a pair of Ovenbirds.  They kept their distance and quietude. As we were leaving, the male, Sean, asked Kevin to take a photo of himself and the female, Taylor. I was nearby and heard Sean say that he had just proposed marriage to Taylor and asked Kevin to take a photo with his phone camera. Of course I immediately called out the news to the birders and we quickly gathered around the young betrothed couple, who were absolutely charming and very happy.  Their joy was contagious.

The female birders circled Taylor to ask questions and express their excitement. We examined her enormous diamond ring and nail polish, etc. while the males, Sean and Kevin, stood behind the circle in that bemused and baffled way males display when females are conversing.

We left the love birds alone in the Garden. When they emerged, the birders were near the Yoko Ono Sky Landing installation. We chatted again and expressed Best Wishes to the couple and pledged to meet again, same time next year.  In the forty years of weekly bird walks, this is a first: to be able to celebrate a marriage proposal and acceptance.  You never know what awaits you on our walks.

The second great human encounter was with a fisherman named “Bug.” We all know Bug. He is the fellow who will ask the birding group if we have “seen any pterodactyls lately?” How he came to be called “Bug” is a bit of a tale. It starts with “Junior”, then evolved into “June bug”, then shortened up to just plain “Bug.” He is a longtime acquaintance and guardian of Karin Cassel over many years on Wooded Island. 

Our “pterodactyls” of the season has been our group of Great Blue Herons. The successful nesting in Oak Wood Cemetery nearby is a First Record that I can recall.  The adults and young have claimed the lagoons as a favored fishing ground.  Amidst all the troubles and changes that have befallen Wooded Island, their presence has been a saving grace.

MYSTERY BIRD: There was a sighting of a small bird in Bobolink Meadow by three of us. It was on top of a brush along the water’s edge.  The bird was about 5 ½ long.  It was dark to medium gray on top from head to tail.  The underside was cleanly white.  It had two white sets of wing bars.  Tail colors were uniform gray like the back and head.  We only had a few seconds to see it a few yards away, before it dropped down and hid.  It was the size of a Junco but did not have the white outer tail feathers of a Junco that is seen in flight.The date range doesn’t allow for it, but my first impression was a flycatcher. It was clean like a Least Flycatcher.

BIRDERS:      6          (1) Tracy W., (2) Karin D., (3) Karin C., (4) Kevin V., (5) Renate G., (6) Pat D.       

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Columbia Basin (North Lagoon), Wooded Island, South shore of East Lagoon, East & West Lagoon, and Bobolink Meadow. Distance 2.0 miles.

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 51 - 68 F., Winds SW 5 - 10 mph, Humidity 82%, Dew Point 45 degrees

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  16

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  X     Small flocks on water and in flight,calling.

2. Mallard  9     Occasional couples in flight.

A very pale, perhaps hybrid or leucistic solo bird was first seen in the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon).

1. Great Blue Heron  8

2. Cooper's Hawk  1     Lurking around favored hunting grounds, SE of Wooded Island 's South Bridge.

3. Red-tailed Hawk  1     Fly to the north end of Wooded Island from the east. Perched briefly on several tree top center branches.

4. Ring-billed Gull  X     Occasional solo fly overs.

5. Belted Kingfisher  1     Male

6. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     tree trunk NW of Music Bridge. Looked like a male with lots of Red-bellied Red on head and nape.

7. Downy Woodpecker  1     Male

8. Northern Flicker  1

9. American Crow  5

10. Black-capped Chickadee  3

11. American Robin  1

12. European Starling  4

13. Northern Cardinal  1

14. American Goldfinch  17

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 10/30/2016 - 5:35pm

Event date:

Saturday, October 29, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Wooded Island is now open. Access is from the north and south bridges.  Darrow Bridge remains heavily barricaded. We now walk around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) to reach the North Bridge onto Wooded Island.  The Japanese Garden had only one entry and exit point, under the cedar gate.

Birding was slow. Migrating ducks have yet to show up. Spying, close up, on the Cooper’s Hawk snacking on a bird, with a Hermit Thrush nearby, frozen in place was the highlight.  The Red-tailed Hawk was flying low over the south end of Wooded Island near the golf shack.

BIRDERS:      11        (1) Caroline H., (2) Karin D., (3) Jennie S., (4) Eric G., (5) Ira S., (6) Gary M., (7) Tracy W., (8) Elaine F., (9) Raman S., (10) Karin C., (11) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Columbia Basin, Soccer Field and Bobolink Meadow

WEATHER:    Mostly Cloudy. Temperature 65 – 69 F., Winds WSW 10 – 20 mph,         Humidity 79%, Dew Point 60 degrees

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  22

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  X

2. Great Blue Heron  6

3. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Juvenile

4. Cooper's Hawk  1     Hiding on branch SE of South Bridge. Caught a bird.

5. Red-tailed Hawk  1

6. Ring-billed Gull  X     Occasional fly overs.

7. Downy Woodpecker  1

8. Northern Flicker  9

9. American Crow  1

10. Black-capped Chickadee  X     Heard.

11. White-breasted Nuthatch  1

12. Winter Wren  2     Japanese Garden

13. Golden-crowned Kinglet  1

14. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2

15. Hermit Thrush  1     Frozen in place. Cooper's Hawk nearby.

16. American Robin  6

17. European Starling  4

18. Fox Sparrow  1     North woods of Bobolink Meadow.

19. Dark-eyed Junco  2

20. Northern Cardinal  6

21. American Goldfinch  X     Heard.

22. House Sparrow  X     Heard. Japanese Garden.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 10/30/2016 - 5:31pm

Event date:

Saturday, October 22, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was a great day for birding. The sun was shining and the sky was blue.

We walked south through Bobolink Meadow, then along the soccer field fence, which will remain in place. Lauren from the Park District arrived at the South Bridge onto Wooded Island at the same time our group did.  She unlocked the fence and we were free to walk on our beloved Wooded Island once again.

It was like returning to your home after a disaster, albeit manmade. So much has changed. So many trees have been removed.  No longer is there a fenced in Rose Garden. The cement vista stations are terrible.  Yoko Ono’s sculpture looked like a tossed endive salad stuck in the ground, but is not without its intrigue.  We used them to lean against as we search tree tops in the Japanese Garden.  The steel slabs are a great relief for “warbler neck.”

The immature Red-headed Woodpecker was napping on a branch of the Willow Tree that is located at the SE part of the former Rose Garden.  The identification had us stumped for a while, but we figured it out. The Woodpecker woke up from its rest and started to hunt. 

It is so very nice to be back on Wooded Island.  Even damaged and disfigured, the Island is our home.

BIRDERS:      13.       (1) Rick R., (2) Eric G., (3) Caroline H., (4) Mary Nell M., (5) Marian N. – recently returned from a visit with her good friend Pope Francis, (6) Tracy W., (7) Sandra N. – return visit from new home in NYC, (8) Curt M., (9) Jennie S., (10) Mark W., (11) Karin D., (12) Karin C., (13) Pat D. Plus cameo appearance by Randy S. on Wooded Island.          

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island and Bobolink Meadow

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 44 – 50 F., Wind WSW 10 to 15 mph, Humidity 57%, Dew Point 31 degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   34

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  130

2. Wood Duck  1

3. Mallard  2

4. Hooded Merganser  2     a male & female. East Lagoon.

5. Pied-billed Grebe  1     East Lagoon

6. Double-crested Cormorant  1     fly over

7. Great Blue Heron  6

8. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Juvenile

9. Cooper's Hawk  2

10. Red-tailed Hawk  1

11. Ring-billed Gull  5

12. Belted Kingfisher  1

13. Red-headed Woodpecker  1     Immature on Wooded Island resting on Willow Tree in the former Rose Garden area

14. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

15. Downy Woodpecker  4

16. Northern Flicker  1

17. American Crow  4

18. Black-capped Chickadee  2

19. White-breasted Nuthatch  1

20. Brown Creeper  1

21. Golden-crowned Kinglet  25

22. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3

23. Hermit Thrush  1

24. American Robin  10

25. European Starling  45

26. Cedar Waxwing  10     flock in flight

27. Yellow-rumped Warbler  3

28. American Tree Sparrow  1

29. Dark-eyed Junco  1

30. White-throated Sparrow  1     Heard.

31. Song Sparrow  1

32. Swamp Sparrow  1

33. Northern Cardinal  2

34. Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2     females

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 10/16/2016 - 4:54pm

Event date:

Saturday, October 15, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Sad news to report: The tall snag located on the southeast corner of Wooded Island has been trimmed of horizontal branches.  Why??? Perches are now limited to a few flat exposed surfaces.

A couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers were around. Randy found some Palm Warblers too, plus sparrows: White-crowned, White-throated and Dark-eyed Juncos.  We were challenged to get a glimpse.

The male Hooded Merganser and female Belted Kingfisher were nice to see.

We also struggled with raptor identification.  (Hal, we needed you!)There was definitely a Red-tailed Hawk on the Island.  We had a small raptor who kept its’ back to us on the Island. The possibility of a Kestrel existed.  A raptor flew low from the Island to the woods at the north end of the Meadow.  I saw the slate gray back and a white rump band and long tail, and thought it was a Northern Harrier.  But then again, I am have overemphasized the white band.  It could have been a Cooper’s Hawk. So these remain in the possibility column.  Being intellectually honest is our goal, although it affects our count of birds clearly identified.

BIRDERS:      12.       (1) Karin C., (2) Gary M., (3) Karin D., (4) Jennie S., (5) Caroline H., (6) Eric G., (7) Shelly G., (8) Tracy W., (9) Evan, (10) Raman S., (11) Glyn D., (12) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, East Lagoon

WEATHER:    Drizzle at the start. Overcast. Temperature 54 – 58 F., Winds moderate SSW 10 – 20 mph, Humidity 98%, Dew Point 58 degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  23

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

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.

1. Canada Goose  60     Large flock at south end of East Lagoon. Small flocks in flight.

2. Wood Duck  3

3. Mallard  2

4. Hooded Merganser  1    Male.  Solo. Beautiful plumage.

5. Double-crested Cormorant  1

6. Great Blue Heron  4

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  6

8. Red-tailed Hawk  1

9. hawk sp.  1

10. Ring-billed Gull  6     fly overs

11. Chimney Swift  25

12. Belted Kingfisher  1 Female

13. Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

14. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2

15. Downy Woodpecker  2

16. Hairy Woodpecker  1

17. Northern Flicker  2

18. Black-capped Chickadee  2

19. Golden-crowned Kinglet  6

20. American Robin  4

21. European Starling  200     Murmurations in flight.

22. Yellow-rumped Warbler  2

23. American Goldfinch  8

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 09/26/2016 - 5:40pm

Event date:

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

There is now a clearing in the woods at the north end of Bobolink Meadow.  The warblers gathered in the surrounding trees. We all suffered from “warbler neck.”  A circle of zero gravity outdoor lounge chairs would have been nice. 

The Great Blue Herons are not fearful of high perches.  One particular heron looked like a tree ornament atop of a tree on Heron Island. 

The juvenile Peregrine Falcon perched alone on a tall snag on Wooded Island, perhaps wondering why no other birds came near, and unlike the Cooper’s Hawks who had to do battle with the crows when they earlier occupied the same snag.

With a gray white sky as a background, many warblers remained unidentified.

BIRDERS:      12. (1) Caroline H., (2) Tracy W., (3) Mary N. M., (4) Raman S., (5) Eric G., (6) Mark W., (7) Renate G., (8) Jennie S., (9) Karin C., (10) Bruce M., (11) Kevin V., (12) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, East and North Lagoons

WEATHER:    Cloudy. Temperature 67 – 72 F., Wind ENE 5 – 10 mph, Humidity 88%, Dew Point 66 degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   38

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  12

2. Wood Duck  4

3. Mallard  8

4. Double-crested Cormorant  9

5. Great Blue Heron  5

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  6

7. Cooper's Hawk  2     Did aerial combat with crows and playing tag with each other.

8. Ring-billed Gull  12

9. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

10. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

11. Belted Kingfisher  1

12. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2

13. Downy Woodpecker  7

14. Northern Flicker  6

15. Peregrine Falcon  1

16. Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

17. Eastern Phoebe  4

18. Blue-headed Vireo  1

19. American Crow  8

20. Black-capped Chickadee  8

21. Red-breasted Nuthatch  4

22. White-breasted Nuthatch  1

23. Golden-crowned Kinglet  1

24. thrush sp.  1

25. Gray Catbird  1

26. European Starling  1

27. Nashville Warbler  1

28. Blackpoll Warbler  6

29. Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler  1

30. Palm Warbler  6

31. Yellow-rumped Warbler  2

32. Black-throated Green Warbler  1

33. White-crowned Sparrow  X

34. White-throated Sparrow  X

35. Song Sparrow  1

36. Northern Cardinal  1

37. Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1

38. American Goldfinch  12

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 09/26/2016 - 5:37pm

Event date:

Saturday, September 17, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was another good day for fall migration. Although the number for each species was much lower than in years gone by, the number of species was fair.

For some unknown reason Red-breasted Nuthatches have decided to migrate along the lakefront and in the northern Illinois area in general.  In recent years past, we were happy to see a few.  They and their cousin, White-breasted Nuthatches are a delight to see.

There was one very tired juvenile Red-tailed Hawk that perched on a snag on Wooded Island. After harassment by crows for a while, the crows actually gave up and left the hawk alone. Migration is fatiguing.

A special sighting was a flock of nine Northern “Yellow-shafted”Flickers.  The golden yellow under their wings and tails were very noticeable and caught the morning sun.  This is the largest single flock I have seen.

Later in the afternoon, Karin C., Karin D. and I saw the Brant resting in the north basin of Lake George in Hammond, Indiana.  The location is at Calumet Ave and 122nd Street. Parking and a paved path offered easy access.  I have seen this species along the Delmarva Peninsula on the east coast, where it is a common species. It is a Rare Bird for our area.

BIRDERS:      9. (1) Caroline H., (2) Marian N., (3) Mark W., (4) Eric G., (5) Tobias G., (6) Tracy W., (7) Karin C., (8) Karin D. (9) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow and East Lagoon

WEATHER:    Initial cloudiness gave way to sunshine. Temperature 69 to 76 F., Wind WSW 5 to 10 mph, Humidity 96%, Dew Point 68 degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  44 + 2 other taxa

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  37     flow overs - two flocks

2. Wood Duck  22     Looked like three families together on logs along the east side of Wooded Island. Count by Mark W.

3. Mallard  17     Total in North and East Lagoons. Count by Mark W.

4. Double-crested Cormorant  2

5. Great Blue Heron  6

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  4

7. Cooper's Hawk  1

8. Red-tailed Hawk  1

9. Ring-billed Gull  6     fly overs

10. 10.  Chimney Swift  100Airborne. Activity and count picked up by mid-morning.

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

12. Belted Kingfisher  2

13. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

14. Downy Woodpecker  2

15. Hairy Woodpecker  1

16. 16.  Northern Flicker  9  Families together in migration. Perched together.

17. Peregrine Falcon  1seen flying from Wooded Island towards Vista Homes on Stony Island Avenue.

18. 18.  Monk Parakeet  6

19. Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

20. Empidonax sp.  1

21. Eastern Phoebe  1

22. Eastern Kingbird  1

23. American Crow  15

24. Black-capped Chickadee  6

25. 25.  Red-breasted Nuthatch  4

26. White-breasted Nuthatch  5

27. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

28. American Robin  4

29. thrush sp.  2

30. Gray Catbird  3

31. European Starling  2

32. Tennessee Warbler  3

33. Nashville Warbler  1

34. American Redstart  2

35. Cape May Warbler  3

36. Magnolia Warbler  1

37. Bay-breasted Warbler  1

38. Chestnut-sided Warbler  2

39. Blackpoll Warbler  12

40. Palm Warbler  12

41. Yellow-rumped Warbler  3

42. Black-throated Green Warbler  2

43. Wilson's Warbler  1

44. Song Sparrow  1

45. Northern Cardinal  3

46. American Goldfinch  4

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. Mark Webster shared his list for creating this report.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 09/14/2016 - 8:53pm

Event date:

Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was a pleasant walk, as usual.  The warblers are beginning their fall migration visit to Jackson Park. Thanks to the searching and discoveries of Eric and Tobias Ginsburg, a total of seven warbler species were found.

BIRDERS:      6.         (1) Caroline H., (2) Jennie S., (3) Eric G., (4) Tobias G., (5) Karin C., (6) Pat D.       

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow and East Lagoon

WEATHER:    Initial drizzle gave way to breaks of sunshine amid billowing clouds. Temperature 69 to 72 F., Winds mild from the west 5 to 10 mph. Humidity 92%. Dew Point 67 Degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  30

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  8     fly overs heading west over Meadow.

2. Wood Duck  7     Parents with five offspring.

3. Mallard  3

4. Double-crested Cormorant  1

5. Great Blue Heron  5

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  5

7. Spotted Sandpiper  1

8. Ring-billed Gull  4

9. Chimney Swift  13

10. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2     Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

11. Belted Kingfisher  1

12. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

13. Downy Woodpecker  1

14. Hairy Woodpecker  1

15. Eastern Phoebe  1     Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

16. Warbling Vireo  1     Seen & heard.

17. Black-capped Chickadee  4

18. White-breasted Nuthatch  1

19. Swainson's Thrush  1     Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

20. Gray Catbird  3

21. Black-and-white Warbler  1     Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

22. Nashville Warbler  1

23. American Redstart  2

24. Magnolia Warbler  1     Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

25. Blackpoll Warbler  3

26. Palm Warbler  8

27. Wilson's Warbler  1

28. Song Sparrow  3

29. Northern Cardinal  1

30. American Goldfinch  4

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 08/14/2016 - 8:36pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 13, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The highlight of today’s Walk may not have been the birds that we saw, but the traveling caravan of ants moving along the logs, carrying larvae to a drier place. Here is a short video:

https://youtu.be/rQ8ssfbQL6s

BIRDERS:      6          (1) Caroline H., (2) Jennie S., (3) Karin C., (4) Karin D., (5) Raman S., (6) Pat Durkin

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:25 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, North and East Lagoon

WEATHER:    Partly Sunny. Warm. Humid. Occasional mild breeze. Heavy rains yesterday, ending early this morning.  Crushed stone path washed out in places.   Temperature steady at 74 F., Winds WNW 5 – 10mph. Humidity 97%, Dewpoint 76 degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  30

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  1     Alone in the East Lagoon.

2. Mallard  2

3. Double-crested Cormorant  2

4. Great Blue Heron  8     Here, there and everywhere. Adults and juveniles.  One adult perched 30 feet up on a snag on Wooded Island.

5. Green Heron  1     North Lagoon (Basin)

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

7. Cooper's Hawk  2     Playing aerial tag games. Ignoring crows.

8. Red-tailed Hawk  1

9. Ring-billed Gull  X     Occasional fly overs.

10. Caspian Tern  1

11. Chimney Swift  25

12. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

13. Great Crested Flycatcher  1     Caught and consumed a large dragonfly!

14. Eastern Kingbird  4

15. American Crow  22     At one point there were 20 perched on a single snag on Wooded Island.  Chased hawks en mass for practice and entertainment.

16. Barn Swallow  14

17. Black-capped Chickadee  2

18. White-breasted Nuthatch  2

19. House Wren  1     Bobolink Meadow. Heard then seen.

20. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

21. American Robin  2

22. Gray Catbird  2

23. European Starling  1

24. Cedar Waxwing  1     Alone on top of a bush in the Meadow.

25. Song Sparrow  3

26. Northern Cardinal  1     Brilliant plumage. Perched high on a tree, belting out calls.

27. Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1

28. Baltimore Oriole  3     Adult Male in brilliant plumage.

29. American Goldfinch  6

30. House Sparrow  7

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 08/14/2016 - 1:06pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 6, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

First, a word of thanks to whoever saw to it that the east parking lot was devoid of bottles, cans and debris. It was quite a change from two weeks ago.

The Star-of-the-Show was the appearance of this tired looking juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher. We all struggled with the identification, and sent the photo to Paul Clyne who confirmed the identification. It is a rare find for the East Lagoon. Paul said that there are only two documented sightings in the East Lagoon, both in the spring of 2015, when the lagoons were drained and mostly mudflats.  This is the first early fall migration find. Other juveniles were reported this weekend on Big Marsh in the Lake Calumet area.

Differentiating between a Short-billed and a Long-billed Dowitcher is a challenge, and vocalization is a key.  In our area, the Short-billed is the most likely species. Breeding grounds are in the high northern boreal forests. This bird has a long, straight bill and a distinct pale eyebrow that is more pronounced in the juvenile.  It was a beauty!

Eastern Kingbirds were everywhere today.  A nest on the north end of the Meadow is still being attended to, and we were invited by a parent to clear the surrounding area, which we obligingly did.

We love our group of Great Blue Herons. Juveniles are fishing on their own. One stood all morning on the containment wall under the Music Bridge, cooling its toes in the water, while successfully fishing.  It was unimpressed with our presence overhead.  There have been two successful Great Blue Heron nesting sites this year, in nearby Oakwood Cemetery on East 67th Street. That is a first in our area.  The lagoons of Jackson Park must be the equivalent to Whole Foods for the herons.

BIRDERS:      11.       (1) Caroline H., (2) Marian N., (3) Perren Y., (4) Bill D., (5) Kevin V.,                                           (6) Karin C., (7) Tracy W. (photographer), (8) Renate G., (9) Karin D.,                                 (10) Raman S., (11) Pat D.    

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow and East Lagoon

WEATHER:    Mostly sunny with a soft breeze. Temperature 74 – 78 F. Wind NNE 5 – 10 mph. Dew Point: 63 degrees. Humidity: 77%.  The plants and grasses in the Meadow are in their full late summer glory.  Butterflies abound.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  24

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  45

2. Mallard  4

3. Double-crested Cormorant  4     On branches. Not in water.

4. Great Blue Heron  5

5. Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

6. Cooper's Hawk  1

7. Spotted Sandpiper  2

8. Short-billed Dowitcher 1     East Lagoon. Resting on a log.  Photo taken. Confirmed by Paul C.

9. Ring-billed Gull  4     fly overs

10. Caspian Tern  1

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

12. Belted Kingfisher  1

13. Northern Flicker  1

14. Eastern Phoebe  1

15. Eastern Kingbird  7     Eastern Kingbird Day in Jackson Park. Adults still tending to young in a nest.

16. American Crow  1

17. Purple Martin  X

18. Barn Swallow  X

19. Black-capped Chickadee  1

20. American Robin  6

21. Gray Catbird  3

22. Northern Cardinal  1

23. Baltimore Oriole  3     Small flock in migration. Looked like juveniles.

24. American Goldfinch  8

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 07/24/2016 - 3:49pm

Event date:

Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

As I drove into the east parking lot, I realized that I had missed one hell of a party last night.  Empty liquor bottles, beer cans and cartons were strewn across the parking lot and on the grassy areas.  I removed an empty bottle of Hennessy Cognac and Silver Patron Tequila that were in the path driving lanes.  So where is the Chicago Police Department’s Summer Mobile Park Unit to enforce the ban on alcohol?  If anyone can follow up with the authorities, such as the Alderwoman or Community Police Representative, it would be appreciated. These drunken bacchanals are a source of magnificently drunk drivers. No one appears to pick up after themselves. The trash cans were mostly empty.  Litter, cans, bottles, trash were all over the place.

The second assault to the senses occurred just getting out of the car. My glasses instantly steamed up. The heat and humidity limited the ground we covered, but we saw some great birds as we were drenched in sweat. 

Paul C. lament over the lack of European Starlings has been addressed. They were around in good numbers, although they all looked rather homely. 

The best sighting were a group of five, yes, FIVE, Great Crested Flycatchers.  They did not call out too much, as they stuffed themselves on mulberries. I don’t care if mulberries are the Snicker’s Bar for birds.  When hungry, the berries hit the spot and supply energy, even if they are equivalent to a sugar rush.

Birders have continued to gather each week for the group walk. I just fell off writing a weekly report.

BIRDERS:      10.       (1) Caroline H., (2) Jennie S., (3) Marian N., (4) Jen L. from San Diego, (5) Perren Y. – great vision who spotted the East Kingbird nest., (6) Karin D., (7) Bruce M., (8) Raman S., (9) Tracy W., (10) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, north end only due to weather conditions.        

WEATHER:    Air Quality Alert. Steamy. Hot. Humid. Temperature 84 - 86 F. Dew Point 76%. ESE wind 5 - 10 mph mostly absent.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 27

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose  37    

2. Wood Duck  4

3. Mallard  9

4. Double-crested Cormorant  2

5. Great Blue Heron  5

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  4

7. Spotted Sandpiper  1

8. Ring-billed Gull  X     Occasional fly overs.

9. Caspian Tern  1

10. Downy Woodpecker  1

11. Great Crested Flycatcher  5     Highest count ever seen in one small area! Perched in two trees, one a mulberry tree in which they partook of the berries. Trees are located between the SW corner of the east parking lot, south of the Museum, and the East Lagoon.  At one time I saw three together in my binocular view.

12. Eastern Kingbird  3     One was on a nest.

13. Warbling Vireo  3     Seen & heard.

14. Purple Martin  X     Adults and young near houses.

15. Barn Swallow  6

16. Black-capped Chickadee  3

17. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

18. American Robin  11     Young and adults together.

19. European Starling  79     Singles & doubles here & there: 7. Flock on ground in parking lot grove: 22. Flock perched in the two snags,SW corner of East parking lot: 50

20. Cedar Waxwing  3

21. Common Yellowthroat  1

22. Yellow Warbler  2

23. Red-winged Blackbird  5

24. Brown-headed Cowbird  3

25. Baltimore Oriole  2     One was on Heron Island perched on a Hibiscus plant, bugging away.

26. American Goldfinch  4

27. House Sparrow  6

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 04/18/2016 - 6:11pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 16, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

On Thursday afternoon, Tracy Weiner discovered and photographed a Common Loon in the East Lagoon.  We did not find it at the start of the Walk, but then, there it was. We all had great close up views. The loon stayed at the north end of the East Lagoon, resting, diving and stretching its’ wings. This is a great find for the East Lagoon.  The lack of competition and danger from fishing tackle, etc. may have made the quiet of the lagoon attractive. Karin C. still talks of the last Common Loon she found resting in the early morning in the West Lagoon near the North Bridge. That was many a year ago.  Loons are magical and memorable.

Ducks in flights are another great sight. The Blue-winged Teals flew low in close formation and landed near us on the East Lagoon.  We saw Mallards, Wood Ducks and a Northern Shoveler all in take offs and landings on the lagoons.

BIRDERS:      12.       (1) Marian N. from Merrillville, IN, an official Wooded Island Regular,

(2) Ben S., a sophomore from Evanston, beefing up his Life List with USA travels,

(3) Caroline H., (4) Tracy W. who provided today’s photos, (5) Kristin D. and (6) Cile B. – new birders to Jackson Park, (7) Eric G. who just returned from Hong Kong where he was able to bird in a restricted nature preserve, (8) Raman S., (9) Karin C., (10) Karin D., (11) Edith H. and (12) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, N & E Lagoons, Lakefront and Outer Harbor

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 53 – 59 F. Winds ENE 5 – 15 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   39

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose – X. A few are on nests. Of the nearly 150 geese captured two years ago, and forced into a tight hard plastic neck band, less than a dozen are seen on our Walk.  Mission accomplished. Eradication program, disguised as crap science, succeeded.

2. Wood Duck – 2. A male and female. North Lagoon. Flew off heading west.

3. Mallard – X. Male/female pairs found on all water sites.

4. Blue-winged Teal – 4. Three males with one female. The group flew onto the East Lagoon in formation. Lovely sight.

5. Northern Shoveler – 1. Male. Landed in East Lagoon, coming from the south.

6. Bufflehead – 1. Female. East Lagoon.

7. Red-breasted Merganser – X. Three males and one female in North Lagoon. One female in the Marina. Several in the Outer Harbor and out on the Lake beyond the 63rd St. Pier.

8. COMMON LOON – 1. North end of East Lagoon.

9. Pied-billed Grebe – 1. East Lagoon.

10. Horned Grebe – 1. East Lagoon.

11. Double-crested Cormorant – X. One in North Lagoon. Four in East Lagoon Five fly overs of East Lagoon and thirty in a flock flew along the lakefront heading north.

12. American Coot – 1. Remains at the south end of the East Lagoon.

13. Ring-billed Gull – X. Not so many on the docks. Harbors are preparing for boat mooring.

14. Caspian Tern – 3. One was working the lagoons in regular flight pattern. Two were in the exact same location as seen last week, on the northern most dock in the Outer Harbor. No, theywere not windup or motorized decoys.

15. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 2. Females.

16. Downy Woodpecker – 3. One male and two females. Calling sounds heard.

17. Northern Flicker – X. Thirty were on the ground on the driving range. Three more were seen in the trees bordering the East Lagoon.

18. Eastern Phoebe – 1.

19. TREE SWALLOW – 2. On willow tree at the south end of the East Lagoon. Together.

20. Northern Rough-winged Swallow – X. A few were about on branches in the East Lagoon.

21. Barn Swallow – X. A few were in flight over the East Lagoon.

22. Black-capped Chickadee – 1.

23. White-breasted Nuthatch – 1. North end of Bobolink Meadow in the trees.

24. Brown Creeper – 4.

25. Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 1.

26. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER – 1.

27. American Robin – X.

28. European Starling – X.

29. Yellow-rumped Warbler – 3.

30. PINE WARBLER – 1. In, where else, the pine trees in Bobolink Meadow. Found by Eric.

31. Chipping Sparrow – 1. Found by Eric G.

32. Field Sparrow – 1. Another Eric find.

33. Song Sparrow – 1 – 2.

34. Northern Cardinal – 1.

35. Red-winged Blackbird – X. A few were in the Meadow. A flock of thirty flew south over the East Lagoon.

36. Common Grackle – 1.

37. Brown-headed Cowbird – 3. Golf driving range.

38. American Goldfinch – X.

39. House Sparrow – X.

Note: a salad plate size turtle and a couple of frogs were seen at the SE end of the East Lagoon.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 04/06/2016 - 8:27pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 2, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The weather was wicked for April, and my thought was that the Walk would be quick.  Nothing unusual occurred, until Eric G. unintentionally flushed an American Woodcock into vertical flight. It happened in Bobolink Meadow, near the pine trees.  The bird flew straight up, made a circular flight pattern, and dropped down at the north end of the Meadow.  We thought the show was over. Our advance party saw the Woodcock drop down again in the Meadow.  We slowly entered the Meadow. I heard the classic “peent”.  It flushed up again about twenty yards from its landing spot.  We all were able to see the bird in flight, and I had the additional pleasure of hearing it sound a call.

Randy S. came by to let us know that the Common Loon found by Jane M. yesterday evening graciously stayed overnight. Randy S. found it in the Outer Harbor.  Eric G. relocated the loon in breeding plumage napping along the south side of the 63rd St. Pier. 

The tail bobbing Eastern Phoebe and the Yellow-rumped Warbler confirmed that spring migration has begun.

BIRDERS:      7.         (1) Jennie S., (2) Tracy W., (3) Eric G., (4) Penny E. – new birder,(5) Rob R. – new birder, (6) Karin D. – who is nowCopper’s, our bird dog, favorite human. It all began when Karin brought along dog biscuits. How easily bribed are affections.I received a whack of the tail on his way over to Karin D., to sit and look up with adoration.(7) Pat D. – coping with displacement of a particular canine’s attachment. Even dogs can have a fickle heart. (Sigh)

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, Lakefront and Outer Harbor.     

WEATHER:    Cloudy, cold with strong winds and snow flurries. Temperature 25 – 31 F. Wind from the West 25 – 35 mph, with gusts of 40 – 50 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   27

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose – X. The neck bands look tight.

2. Wood Duck – 3. In close flight pattern over Bobolink Meadow and East Lagoon.

3. Mallard – X. In mated pairs on water in lagoons, harbor and lakefront.

4. NORTHERN SHOVELER – 2. A male & female pair has remained at the south end of the East Lagoon.

5. Bufflehead – 2. North Lagoon/Columbia Basin.

6. Red-breasted Merganser – X. Three (2 male/1 female) East Lagoon; a male/female pair in the 59th St. Marina; a male/female pair in the Outer Harbor. A few were spotted in the Lake off of the 63rd St. endpoint.

7. COMMON LOON – 1. In breeding plumage. Napping and diving on the south side of 63rd St. Pier.

8. Pied-billed Grebe – 4. East Lagoon.

9. Horned Grebe – 3. Two in the Outer Harbor and one on the Lake channel.

10. Double-crested Cormorant – 3. Two fly overs of East Lagoon. One over Lake.

11. American Coot – 2. One remains near the south end of the East Lagoon and the other was in the Outer Harbor.

12. AMERICAN WOODCOCK – 1. Bobolink Meadow. Seen & heard. In flight twice.

13. Ring-billed Gull – X. Fly overs and on the docks in the Outer Harbor.

14. Herring Gull – 1. Adult. Perched for over half an hour, in Socratic contemplation, on a branch over the East Lagoon.

15. Red-bellied Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow. Reported by Eric G.

16. Downy Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow.

17. Northern Flicker – 1. Bobolink Meadow. North end.

18. EASTERN PHOEBE – 1. Bobolink Meadow. North end. Spotted tail bobbing by Eric G.

19. American Crow – 1.

20. Black-capped Chickadee – 1.

21. Golden-crowned Kinglet – 2. Bobolink Meadow. Reported by Eric G.

22. American Robin – 13.

23. European Starling – 12. Flock on ground north of Music Bridge.

24. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER – 1. Bobolink Meadow. North end. Seen by Randy S. and Eric G.

25. Song Sparrow – 2. Bobolink Meadow.

26. Northern Cardinal – 2. Bobolink Meadow.

27. Red-winged Blackbird – 1. Bobolink Meadow.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 03/14/2016 - 6:08pm

Event date:

Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

--

Hello to All,

The Walk began in a thick fog that released its grip after an hour. Migration sightings are just beginning. The Eastern Meadowlark and Golden-crowned Kinglet were welcomed.

Post Jackson Park Birding Adventure:

As we were heading over to the Outer Harbor, a few of us discussed continuing birding in nearby Indiana. Young Ben S. had the courage to speak up and ask if he could tag along. Sure! His goal was to break through a 100 Life Birds. Permission was granted via a phone call to parent.

 Off we went on our Mission to break 100 species on Ben’s Life List. With Karin D. in the front seat, and Ben, Karin C., and Jennie S. in the back seat, we arrived at our first important stop: breakfast at Sunrise Restaurant in Whiting, IN. Thus fortified, we stopped at Roxanna Marsh in East Chicago, Indiana, on our way to Gibson Woods in Hammond, Indiana.  We like Gibson Woods because we bird from easy chairs looking out on multiple feeding stations.  Ben picked up a few Lifers there.

A goal was to add Sandhill Crane to his Life List. A big migration happened the day before. It was a long shot. We traveled over to Wolf Lake and Ben got a few more Lifers: Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, Sharp-shinned Hawk. We broke through 100 species for Ben.

We took a detour home along Stony Island Ave, from 122nd St north. At Big Marshentrance, we parked and put the scope on not one but four American Bald Eagles!They were perched in separate trees on the west side of the road along Big Marsh. It was not a Lifer for Ben but we all enjoyed the special gathering within the borders of Cook County.

With fading light, Karin D. spotted a broken strand of birds high up and far away to the west of us. Could it be? Yes! A flock of twenty-five Sandhill Cranes flew low over our heads! Check that one off on Ben’s Life List. We had great fun on our day’s adventure and Ben exceeded his goal.

In Memoriam

Leonardo (Leo) Herzenberg died suddenly this past week. Leo and his wife Carolyn (Carol) have been members of the Wooded Island Bird Walks since their inception in the 1970’s. Leo was smart and soft spoken. He would nail a subject with a few words. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Carol and family and their circle of friends. In time, we hope that Carol will join the Walks once again and find solace. As we walk through the Meadow, a Song Sparrow will likely fly to a perch nearby. It will turn its face up to the sky and belt out a song that would do Ethel Merman proud. For a brief a moment, or a few, all our losses, sorrows and hurts will melt away. We will live in the present moment and be glad. What more can we expect or accomplish in this life?

BIRDERS:      11.       (1) Al L. – Long Time No See, who walked the fence line for us.Saw the Swamp Sparrow along the Meadow fence and caught sight of the Brown Creeper as we were getting back into our cars. (2) Karin C., (3) Laurel R. who discovered the Golden-crowned Kinglet near the SW corner of the Music Bridge. (4) Ben S. Evanston High School sophomore who planned to get public transportation back home, but that was all modified as described in the narrative portion. (5) Jennie S., (6) Marian N. from Indiana, a frequenter of the Walks. (7) Karin D., post India and Nepal traveler. (8) Tracy W. our photographer, (9) Renate G., (10) Edith H.,  and (11) Pat D.

Weekly cameo appearance was made by our bird dog “Copper” with his human companion Doug. Karin D. had the rewarding dog biscuit treat for Copper, his new best friend.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Birding extensions ran to 5 p.m. 

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, Lakefront and Outer Harbor

WEATHER:    Dense fog until 9 a.m. Temperature 40 – 51 F. Winds SE 5 – 10 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   27 in Jackson Park.

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose – X. Our banded birds have returned and are struggling to find nesting sites on the islands that are torn asunder and have PVC pipes crisscrossing the area.

2. Mallard – 6. Three male/female pairs in the lagoon. Others in Outer Harbor.

3. Bufflehead – 3. One male/Two female. Outer Harbor.

4. Common Goldeneye – 1. Male. Remains alone in Marina. Others in Other Harbor.

5. Red-breasted Merganser – 8. Male 2/Female 2 in Marina. M/F pair East Lagoon and Outer Harbor.

6. HORNED GREBE – 2. Outer Harbor.

7. Grebe – Species ? East Lagoon. Spotted by Laurel R.

8. Large Raptor – Species? Seen by Karin C. and another birder. In flight pattern west of Wooded Island. Crows in pursuit.

9. American Coot – X. Outer Harbor.

10. Ring-billed Gull – X.

11. Monk Parakeet – 3. Flew in and perched on tree near golf shack. Six full grown trees have been cut down south of the golf shack. Why?

12. Red-bellied Woodpecker – 1.

13. Downy Woodpecker – 2. A male and female.

14. American Crow – 3.

15. BROWN CREEPER – 1. Climbing trees near SW corner of parking lot.

16. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET – 1. Heard and seen by Laurel R. SW corner of Music Bridge.

17. American Robin – 4.

18. European Starling – 12.

19. American Tree Sparrow – 5. NE corner of Music Bridge.

20. Song Sparrow – 7. Singing.

21. Swamp Sparrow – 1.

22. Dark-eyed Junco – 1.

23. Northern Cardinal – 4. Three males and one female.

24. Red-winged Blackbird – 2. Calling.

25. EASTERN MEADOWLARK – 1. Spotted long distance by Al L. Perched on easterly most tree nearest to 63rd St. Pier. Many fishermen were on the pier, casting ten to fifteen yards out. No water birds were near the pier and none off the lakefront.

26. House Finch – X.

27. House Sparrow – 2.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 03/07/2016 - 8:47pm

Event date:

Saturday, March 5, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello everyone,

It was a cloudy, dreary day but we had a few nice surprises on our walk this morning.  A beautiful male American Kestrel perched picturesquely at the very top of a tree on the soccer field allowing us some great looks.   A visit from a Red-bellied Woodpecker was also a nice sighting.  Our wintering ducks must be starting their trek back north because there were very few to be found in the harbors.

BIRDERS:  7: Eric, Tina, Janine, Karin C., Karin D, first time visitor Damen, and Jennie.   

TIME:   8:00am to 10:00am   

PLACES:  Bobolink Meadow, Outer Harbor, Inner Harbor  

WEATHER:  Cloudy, chilly, damp, temperatures in the 30s.

Many thanks to Eric for sharing his E-bird reports:

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area
Mar 5, 2016
8:07 AM
Traveling
1.00 miles
76 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44

4 Canada Goose
4 Mallard
2 Common Goldeneye
7 Red-breasted Merganser -- 3 male 1 female
X Ring-billed Gull
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Downy Woodpecker -- Heard
1 Hairy Woodpecker
1 woodpecker sp. -- Heard drilling 
1 American Kestrel -- Male 
X American Crow
X Black-capped Chickadee
1 European Starling
4 American Tree Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
1 Northern Cardinal -- Heard
X Red-winged Blackbird -- At least 4 males

Jackson Park, Chicago--Inner/Outer Harbors
Mar 5, 2016
9:38 AM
Stationary
31 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Inner and outer harbors
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44

3 Canada Goose
2 Mallard
X Redhead
4 Greater/Lesser Scaup
3 Bufflehead
5 Common Goldeneye
X Red-breasted Merganser
1 Horned Grebe
X American Coot
X Ring-billed Gull
1 American Robin
1 European Starling

Number of Taxa: 12

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by a least several or all the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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. 

Note on Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, and the work is not expected to begin until 2017 at the earliest. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot, where metered parking is available. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.

Note on 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 59th to 56thStreet.

Best of Birding to All,                     

Jennie, sitting in for Pat today

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 03/02/2016 - 7:41pm

Event date:

Saturday, February 27, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

We did not see many birds today.  The weekend belonged to Red-breasted Mergansers.They were everywhere and the males were working themselves up to attract the few females.  They moved over the surface of the water after the females, like a speed boat with bow raised.

The Red-winged Blackbird in the Meadow was nice to hear, although there is no longer much nesting habitat left.  Bobolink Meadow must be an old address in its memory. 

The appearance of a Horned Grebe helped savage on morning of birding, that was more just a nice walk.  Hope the doldrums before spring migration does not last too long.

BIRDERS:      8.         (1) Mark W., (2) Edith H., (3) Jennie S., (4) Eric G., (5) Rick R., (6) Tracy W., (7) Karin C., and (8) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, Lakefront, Outer & Inner Harbors

WEATHER:    Sunny. Windy. Temperature 37 – 45 F. Winds WSW 10 – 20 mph. The lagoons and harbors are free of ice.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   17

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose – X. Some of our locals with neck tags have returned.

2. Mallard – X. In East Lagoon and in the harbors.

3. CANVASBACK – 1. Male. Outer Harbor. Still with us.

4. Redhead – X. Outer Harbor.

5. Greater Scaup – X. Outer Harbor.

6. Lesser Scaup – 2. Outer Harbor.

7. Bufflehead – 4. Two males and two females. Outer Harbor.

8. Common Goldeneye – 3. Inner Harbor.

9. Hooded Merganser – 1. Female. Inner Harbor. Likely the one that never migrated.

10. Red-breasted Merganser – X. One male in East Lagoon. Seven in Marina. Several scattered flocks out on the Lake.

11. HORNED GREBE – 1. Flew into the channel to the Outer Harbor. Winter plumage.

12. American Coot – 14. Two in Outer Harbor. Twelve in the Inner Harbor.

13. Ring-billed Gull – X. Many on the Outer Harbor docks.

14. Herring Gull – X. A few mixed in with the Ring-billed Gulls on the docks.

15. Hairy Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow.

16. American Crow – X.

17. Black-capped Chickadee – X.

18. Northern Cardinal – 1.

19. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD – 1. Bobolink Meadow.

20. House Sparrow – 4.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 4:14pm

Event date:

Saturday, February 20, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The morning started off cold and windy. But 10 a.m. the expected warmer weather was felt.  The Northern Harrier was the best Bird of the Day, especially since its flight pattern was so characteristic and allowed for views of the characteristic white rump patch.  This is an uncommon raptor for Jackson Park.

The male Canvasback continues to stay in the Outer Harbor.  It will often swim alone, away from its Redhead cousins.  The bill confirms the finding. It is aquiline in shape.

We were hoping to find the male Northern Pintail that was discovered by Jane M. in the Inner Harbor on Friday, when the winds were fierce and waterfowl sought shelter at the south end of the Harbor. No luck for us.  That is such a handsome bird! Later that day, a birder reported seeing a Northern Pintail in Calumet Park along the Lake at 98th St. 

BIRDERS:      12.       (1) Marian from Indiana, (2) Leo and (3) Caroline H., (4) Tracy W., (5) Kristine and (6) Dan L – new birders to Jackson Park from the southwest suburbs, (7) Jennie S., (8) Eric G., (9) Raman S., (10) Edith H., (11) Karin C., (12) Pat D.       

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:35 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, Lakefront Outer and Inner Harbors

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature – 52 to 60 F., Winds WSW 5 – 15 mph. The lagoons were half covered with thin ice.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   24

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

1. Canada Goose – X.

2. WOOD DUCK – 2. A male & female pair. East Lagoon. Harbinger of breeding season.

3. Mallard – 6 in pairs in East Lagoon. Others were in the Harbors.

4. CANVASBACK -1. Male. Outer Harbor. Continuing to stay with us.

5. Redhead – X. Outer Harbor. Copper redhead brilliantly reflecting the sun’s rays.

6. Ring-necked Duck – 1.

7. Lesser Scaup – 2.

8. Bufflehead – 4.Outer Harbor.

9. Common Goldeneye – 1 Male has been occupying the Marina all alone for several weeks. Others were seen along the lakefront and in the Harbors.

10. Hooded Merganser – 1. Female.

11. Red-breasted Merganser – X. Lake and Harbors.

12. RUDDY DUCK – 6 or 7. Outer Harbor. Pointed tail skyward.

13. NORTHERN HARRIER – 1. Juvenile. This raptor flew in front of Edith H. and me in the Meadow.  It came from the direction of Wooded Island and glided low over the Meadow, so low that we saw the definitive white patch across the back rump area.  In conversation with Randy S. the next day, the raptor fit the profile of a juvenile rather than an adultfemale. Later we think we caught sight of it again being flushed by crows diagonally across the Lake from the turnaround to the 63rd St. Pier off of Hayes parking lot.

14. American Coot -7. Outer Harbor.

15. Ring-billed Gull – X. Lake and Harbors.

16. Herring Gull – Several in Outer Harbor. Nice to compare with Ring-bill Gulls on the docks.

17. MONK PARAKEET – 6. In a tall shrub near their nest on the south side of 67th St. The tree is in the golf course. We observed the Monks through a scope while standing at the edge of the Outer Harbor.

18. American Crow – X. The “guardians” against invading raptors. Side benefit to small birds.

19. Black-capped Chickadee – 2. Mating songs and calls heard.

20. American Robin – 1.

21. European Starling – X. Harbor areas.

22. Dark-eyed Junco – 1.

23. Northern Cardinal – 1. Male.

24. House Sparrow – 1. Harbor areas.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 4:12pm

Event date:

Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The big news and group regret: Mark and Sandra Nunnally are relocating to the Big Apple, but will maintain a foothold in Chicago. These world travelers have added so much to the enjoyment of the Saturday morning bird walks.  I know that when they are birding in Central Park they will recall the mellow group of birders in The Prairie State. Hopefully, we will hold our own in such a comparison.

BIRDER:         13. (1) Jennie S., (2) Eric G., (3) Mark and (4) Sandra N., (5) Carol S and (6) Demayne M. – new to Bird Walk, from Evanston, (7) Tracy W., our photographer, (8) Raman S., (9) Karin C., (10) Karin D., (11) Mark and (12) Emma W., and (13) Pat D.     

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, Inner & Outer Harbor and Lakefront

WEATHER:    Mostly Sunny. Temperature 27 – 37 F., Winds SW 5 – 10 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   18

1. ROSS’S GOOSE – 1. Seen by Mark Webster as I sped down Lake Shore Drive. Relocated by Eric Ginsburg. Unable to find by later birders who read the IBET post.

2. Canada Goose – X

3. CANVASBACK – 2. Male & Female. Outer Harbor.

4. Mallard – X. Males are looking mighty fine.

5. Common Goldeneye – 1. 59th St. Marina

6. Red-breasted Merganser – X. Scattered on Lake & Outer Harbor.

7. American Coot – 2. Hugging the south wall of Outer Harbor.

8. Ring-billed Gull – X.

9. Herring Gull –X. Outer Harbor.

10. Downy Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow.

11. Hairy Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow.

12. American Crow – X.

13. Black-capped Chickadee – X. Bobolink Meadow. Males are belting out mating call.

14. American Robin – X.

15. European Starling – 4.

16. Dark-eyed Junco – 1.

17. Northern Cardinal – 1.

18. American Goldfinch – X.

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 4:07pm

Event date:

Saturday, January 16, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Randy’s detailed report needs no addition.  He recorded what was seen in Jackson Park and Wolf Lake.  His report was posted on IBET and IL Birding Forum.

Pat

  From: ILbirds@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ILbirds@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of rlshonkw@uchicago.edu [ILbirds]
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2016 10:32 AM
To: ILbirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: IBET JxP and Wolf Lake, 16 January: Mallard x Gadwall hybrid, swans 
I joined Pat Durkin and the regulars for the Jackson Park Audubon bird walk yesterday, checking Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow and the outer harbor area.  Later a few of us headed down to Wolf Lake.
The Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area was slow but we saw my FOY WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH near the Darrow Bridge at the end of our tour.  Earlier we had a HAIRY WOODPECKER in this area.  Heading towards the harbor we noted that the inner harbor was frozen with just a bit of open water at the Lake Shore Dr. bridge with a lone Herring Gull sitting on the ice.  In the outer harbor were male and female CANVASBACKS and some REDHEADS but the most interesting bird was an apparent MALLARD X GADWALL hybrid.  I've attached two photos of it at my IBF post: JxP and Wolf Lake, 16 January: Mallard x Gadwall hybrid, swans

 While I was counting birds someone noticed 3 swans flying south in formation with some Canada Geese.  I couldn't get my scope on them in time to tell if they were Mute Swans or Tundra/Trumpeter Swans.  I still need the latter two for my Jackson Park life list.  An adult RED-TAILED HAWK was circling high above the harbor, with a 2 crow escort, of course. There were a few DARK-EYED JUNCOS feeding under a small tree within the marina fence.  As usual, I found no uncommon or rare gulls here.
After brunch in Whiting, Indiana we checked the Whiting Refinery Beach but there was virtually nothing there.  On to Wolf Lake.  When we first got there most of the non-Mute Swans were asleep.  Eventually, a few TRUMPETER SWANS raised there heads.  We found an immature swan that might be the Tundra.  It was asleep and, because of its position and that of the swans next to it, we couldn't be sure of its size.  Finally, something caused it and the swan next to it to stand up and it was obviously a smaller TUNDRA SWAN next to a bigger Trumpeter.  I counted 13 Trumpeters, 30 Mutes and 5 Trumpeter/Mute Swans that never raised their heads while I was looking.  Jennie S. and I checked the alders for Redpolls but found none.
Here's my full list with the following abbreviations, WI/BM=Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow, OH=outer harbor, LM=Lake Michigan east of La Rabida/outer harbor, WL=Wolf Lake:

Canada Goose: WI/BM (52), OH (575), WL (200)
Mute Swan: WL (30)
Trumpeter Swan: WL (13)
Tundra Swan: WL (1)
swan sp: OH (3), WL (5)
Mallard: OH (30), WL (3)
Mallard x Gadwall hybrid: OH (1)
Canvasback: OH (2), WL (10)
Redhead: OH (5), WL (7)
Greater/Lesser Scaup: WL (1)
Common Goldeneye: WI/BM (1), OH ( 8 ), OH (9)
Red-breasted Merganser: WI/BM (2), OH (6), LM (10)
Red-tailed Hawk: OH (1)
A. Coot: OH (1), WL (15)
Ring-billed Gull: WI/BM (1), OH (70), WL (1)
Herring Gull: OH (14, + 1 at IH), WL (1)
Downy Woodpecker: WI/BM (2)
Hairy Woodpecker: WI/BM (1)
A. Crow: WI/BM (2), OH (3), WL (6)
Black-capped Chickadee: WI/BM (5), OH (1)
White-breasted Nuthatch: WI/BM (1)
Dark-eyed Junco: OH (3)
N. Cardinal: WI/BM (2)
A. Goldfinch: WI/BM (4)
House Sparrow: OH (5)

Randy Shonkwiler
Hyde Park/Chicago

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 4:03pm

Event date:

Saturday, January 9, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

As some may know, I have been away for a while; far away for this birder who left migration to others years ago.  For a month I visited Argentina, Falkland Islands (Malvinas, respectfully to my Argentine friends), South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula.  I will try not to lace my reports with too many references about this adventure, but I will encourage all with a pulse to go on such an expedition before your time on earth runs out.  It may seem like a sizable coin to drop for such an adventure to a place seen by few. Put the ticket on plastic and go. It is unsecured debt and if you don’t come back, the banks can’t come after you.

The Wooded Island birders proclaimed that my presence was missed. More so was my scope, a community property for sharing, especially now that the lakefront and harbors are an added extension to the walk back and forth through Bobolink Meadow. I hear that plans are afoot to make Jackson Park a carnival place, with an Obama Theme Park motif. Kudos to Rahm.

Not many birds were found in Bobolink Meadow. The male woodpeckers, Downy and Hairywere around. A few Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, and American Goldfinch were around. Single American Tree and Song Sparrows showed up.

The palest pair of Canvasbacks was along the west wall of the Outer Harbor. A half dozen Redheads were at the south end. Eric G. checked out the Inner Harbor and found a group of Common Goldeneyes and Red-breasted Mergansers. The southeast corner held a flock of American Goldfinches.Mark W. spotted a solo Common Merganser just off shore from the beach around 58th St.

BIRDERS:      7          Eric G., Mark W., Jennie S., Karin D., Karin C., Rick R., Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.          

PLACES:        Bobolink Meadow, Lakefront, Outer Harbor & Inner Harbor

WEATHER:   Overcast. Temperature 40 degrees F & falling. Wind WNW 5 – 10mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  16

1. Mallard – 1. Outer Harbor.

2. Canvasback – 2. Outer Harbor.

3. Redhead – 7. Outer Harbor.

4. Common Goldeneye – X. Lake, Outer & Inner Harbors.

5. Common Merganser – 1. Lake.

6. Red-breasted Merganser –X. Lake, Outer & Inner Harbor.

7. Ring-billed Gull – X. Fly overs and on docks in Harbors.

8. Herring Gull – 2. Outer Harbor.

9. Downy Woodpecker – 2. Males around Bobolink Meadow. 1 heard Outer Harbor.

10. Hairy Woodpecker – 1. Bobolink Meadow.

11. American Crow – 1.

12. American Tree Sparrow – 1.

13. Song Sparrow – 1.

14. Dark-eyed Junco – 3.

15. Northern Cardinal – 3.

16. American Goldfinch – 18.

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

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 recorded 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. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be more than a year. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the 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.

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 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 3:57pm

Event date:

Saturday, January 2, 2016 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

 Happy New Year everyone!

We had the pleasure of birding two days in a row with our traditional New Year’s Day bird walk falling on a Friday, and our regular Saturday walk today.  The weather was much more pleasant today than yesterday, and the bird count was higher today too.  We didn’t see anything on Friday that we didn’t also see today so this report will just focus on January 2nd.

Our wintering ducks have still not arrived in great numbers, with the exception of the Red-breasted Mergansers, of which we had a fairly large flock at the outer harbor.  Mark and Sandra had a flock of 30 Sandhill Cranes fly over shortly after they arrived, so they had the best sighting of the morning.  Eric checked Paul’s records for the latest date Sandhills were spotted in Jackson Park, and that date is January 2nd, so if more are seen after today, we’ve set a new record late date.

BIRDERS:  8; Jennie, Katie, Edith, Eric, Karin D., Mark, Sandra, and their friend, whose name I think I remember but won’t include it in case I’m wrong.             

TIME:   8:00am – 9:30am       

PLACES:  Bobolink Meadow and the Outer Harbor

WEATHER: Cold, in the 20s, but with beautiful blue skies and sun          

The following is Eric’s e-bird report:

X Canada Goose -- At least 70
1 Common Goldeneye
2 Hooded Merganser
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Ring-billed Gull
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Hairy Woodpecker -- Female
4 American Crow
2 Black-capped Chickadee
1 European Starling
1 American Tree Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
2 American Goldfinch -- Heard
1 House Sparrow

And, 30 flyover Sandhill Cranes

Outer Harbor:

Red-breasted Mergansers

Redhead

Bufflehead

Goldeneye

Canada Geese

Various gulls

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by a least several or all the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded 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. 

Note on Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, and the work is not expected to begin until 2017 at the earliest. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot, where metered parking is available. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.

Note on 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 59th to 56thStreet.

Good birding everyone,

Jennie