Field Trip Recap: Sunday Social, Humboldt Park

words by trip leader and COS board member Chris Holden

In the mid-morning of Mother’s Day, 16 birders gathered at the Humboldt Park Boathouse to see what bird offerings spring migration would bring. The Sunday Social Bird Walk was co-led by COS board members Christina Harber and Chris Holden. 

A Red-headed Woodpecker made multiple appearances prior to the start of the walk, derailing introductory messaging in an enjoyable manner.  Given multiple recent reports of a Prothonotary Warbler on Grackle Island, the group headed there hoping to see it for themselves. 

Prothonotary Warbler. Photo by Chris Holden, Humboldt Park, May 11, 2025.

On the way, a Common Yellowthroat and a Baltimore Oriole both showed off their fancy plumage to the group.  The island yielded the much-hoped for Prothonotary Warbler, as well a Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Palm Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. 

A singing Rose-breasted Grosbeak gave an all-too fleeting glimpse or two. While it continued to sing, no good looks were to be had by the group. 

Indigo Bunting. Photo by Em De Blas, Jarvis Woods, May 13, 2024.

The group then circled the wooded area trying to locate an Indigo Bunting, finding a female Purple Finch in the process, before finally finding a tree that had two or possibly three buntings!  We then crossed the boulevard and found an unexpected Bobolink that gave great looks and sang incessantly. 

As the group headed back to the parking lot, some members noted a mystery raptor in the distance, that after careful consideration turned out to be an Osprey!  By the end of the walk, the group reached a bird species count of 46.

Photo by Dayna Starodubtseva.