Field Trip Recap: Sunday Social at Humboldt Park

 
Twelve people in jackets, with binoculars, smiling at camera in front of a large tree in front of a stone structure.

words by trip leader and COS board member Chris Holden

Twelve birders gathered for the Memorial Day Weekend Edition of the COS Sunday Social Bird Walk held in Humboldt Park.  As the walk started, we observed nesting Common Grackles under the covered area of the boathouse.  They had found a way around the wire mesh that had apparently been put in place to deter them from nesting—nature finds a way! 

Sticking with the bird nest theme, we then briefly staked out a Baltimore Oriole nest.  Unfortunately, no orioles made an appearance during our time there.

We then braved a hissing gauntlet of a series of Canada Goose families as we delicately walked by them along a lakeside path, which was the most heart-pounding portion of the trip. 

We had fleeting glimpses of an elusive Gray Catbird and a Veery, the latter of which we heard singing a short while later.

Large bird with long, thick black bill, red eye, with a black cap extending down the neck and black back, gray wings, and white neck, breast and belly, with long yellow legs ending in widespread claws, perched on a rock near the water.

Black-crowned Night Heron. Photo by Chris Holden, Humboldt Park, May 25, 2025.

Along the trip we had several fantastic Black-crowned Night Heron viewings. We also observed many ducklings and goslings, including an apparently happy Wood Duck family in the marshy area by the fieldhouse. 

Small bird with brown streaks on its head, back from its dark eye, on its breast and along its sides. The head and back are gray. It has a handlebar white mustache and white breast and belly. Perched on a twig.

Song Sparrow. Photo by Chris Holden, Humboldt Park, April 23, 2025.

Near the beach we observed three Song Sparrows clustered together. They were joined by a Savannah Sparrow, which livened things up. As that wasn’t enough alliteration for one spot, a Spotted Sandpiper then made an appearance! 

After some great Baltimore Oriole views, we headed back to our starting point, when we had a Parking Lot Bird Alert!  As a fantastic finale to our walk, a Black-throated Green Warbler sang and gave great looks from a tree right next to the parking lot.  In total, 31 species of birds were observed that morning.

 
Field TripKris HansenHumboldt Park