30 People Spot 22 Species on Indian Boundary Bird Walk
April 30, 2014
David Williard
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The cold, damp late spring weather failed to dampen the spirits of about 30 bird watchers Sunday morning April 27 as they were guided through Indian Boundary Park by the Chicago Audubon Society's David Willard.
"It was a really nice group," David said. "I had a lot of fun." So did the bird watchers, who remained enthusiastic despite the weather. They spotted more than five-dozen birds from 22 species on the hour-long, half-mile walk, a relatively low census for this time of year. Our late Spring and arctic weather apparently being no more attractive to our feathered friends than to us. A complete list of sighted birds appears below. The watchers stepped out around 8 a.m., but David had visited the park earlier. In addition to the familiar geese, ducks, doves and robins, he also spotted some of the park's iconic residents, including the Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret, a Double-breasted Cormorant and a Solitary Sandpiper. |
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The watchers stepped out around 8 a.m., but David had visited the park earlier. In addition to the familiar geese, ducks, doves and robins, he also spotted some of the park's iconic residents, including the Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret, a Double-breasted Cormorant and a Solitary Sandpiper.
And as a harbinger of good things to come, David confirmed that a Canada Goose was incubating eggs on the island in the lagoon. It was Daniel Ebel, a member of People United to Improve Indian Boundary Park, who first noticed and photographed the goose's behavior on April 18. Encouraged by the sightings and the camaraderie, several birders voiced requests for additional walks later this year. After the walk, birders and David enjoyed fresh-baked and store-bought goodies and warm drinks in the fieldhouse, where the discussion continued. At the conclusion, Phil Martini, Indian Boundary Park supervisor, led a tour of the newly renovated fieldhouse -- reopened after a fire closed the building in 2012 -- complete with historical perspective on this city-landmarked facility. Here's the official list of sighted birds from the Audubon Society's David Willard: American Crow (1), American Goldfinch (1), American Herring Gull (1), American Kestrel (1), American Robin (14), Barn Swallow (1), Black-capped Chickadee (1), Canada Goose (4), Common Starling (2), Hermit Thrush (1), House Finch (1), House Sparrow (4), Mallard (7), Mourning Dove (1), Northern Cardinal (3), Red-winged Blackbird (6), Ring-billed Gull (15), Rock Pigeon (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2), White-throated Sparrow (1), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1) Photo credits: Ginny Davis |
Addendum
By Ginny Davis
There have been 59 species of birds identified by the Audubon Society in the park since 2009. Among the birds spotted on this walk, 5 were species observed in the park for the first time. They are: American Kestrel, Barn swallow, Great Egret, Herring Gull, and Solitary Sandpiper.