Ten people with binoculars on a dirt path near trees. — Least Bittern. *Photo by Lin Johnston, Montrose Point, April 28, 2025.*

words by Sammy Cabindol, leader of FOUR bird walks on the same day!

With spring migration underway, trip leader Sammy Cabindol set out on April 28 to lead four bird walks at some of Chicago’s best birding hotspots: Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Douglass Park.

The first trip was at Montrose for an early birding walk. The sun’s beautiful rays scattered yellows and oranges, a picturesque backdrop for birding. The group of 11 birders wasted no time and headed into the sanctuary straight to the inner meadow in hopes of catching a look at the Ring-necked Pheasant that had been reported just minutes prior. But, the pheasant would have to wait as bird activity spiked upon entering the sanctuary, prompting the group to scan the tree tops.

Medium-sized heron-like bird with long, slim body and long, pointed bill, perched in a tree, sunlight shining on caramel-colored feathers on its back and head, cream and toffee stripes on its breast, and yellow eye. — Least Bittern. *Photo by Lin Johnston, Montrose Point, April 28, 2025.*

Whilst admiring the birds whizzing by, Sammy shouted, “Least Bittern! In the tree behind us!” The group whipped around in excitement and locked gazes with the bird just yards above their heads. It took no time at all before numerous other birders were alerted and fixed on the Least Bittern. Turns out, that sighting was Montrose’s first since last year—to the day.

The birders pressed on to the inner meadow to continue their search for the pheasant. A Peregrine Falcon flew low to the sanctuary. Wrapping back around, the birders had great looks at a cooperative White-eyed Vireo. Its signature scratchy chick-burio-chick song was captivating.

White-eyed Vireo. *Photo by Nick Paalberg, Montrose Point, April 28, 2025.*

With no pheasant progress, the group made their way to the pier. Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were lined up along the rope barriers and concrete walkway. The birders reached a good lookout point over the dunes and shoreline, straining their eyes to catch any potential glimpses of the tiny target species.

A member of the group exclaimed to the rest, “I’ve got eyes on the plover!” After some directions using nearby bushes, dunes, and gulls as landmarks, all the birders were affixed on Piping Plover Pippin. Even with binoculars, he was barely distinguishable as he scurried amongst the gulls, perfectly camouflaged in his surroundings. A Piping Plover monitor volunteer shared that the other plover, Imani, was located across the other end of the shore. In no time, the birders had gotten eyes on Imani as well—that’s both of Chicago’s Piping Plovers accounted for!

Small round bird with sand-colored back and cap, white belly, chin and upper collar, black neckerchief and stripe between its eyes, orange short beak with black tip, and orange legs, standing on the sand. — Piping Plover (Pippin). *Photo by Lin Johnston, Montrose Dunes, April 28, 2025.*

On the way back to the sanctuary, the group received updated information about the pheasant’s whereabouts. The birders continued on their quest. However, shortly afterwards, they came to a halt as a Baltimore Oriole began to sing—here, here, come right here, dear—they must get eyes on this bird, too. Shaking leaves in the canopy revealed the oriole’s location. Its brilliant orange colors shone brightly in the morning sun.

At the sanctuary’s south end, the group patiently searched the tall grasses for the pheasant. When suddenly—KER-WEE-ee-ee-ee. A descending whinny cried out from about ten yards away. A Sora! The group scoured the grasses even more intently.

Chicken-sized bird with reddish orange breast and sides, dark belly, white ring around neck, blue neck and cap, red around its yellow eye, and whitish short bill, walking among leaves. — Ring-necked Pheasant. *Photo by Nick Paalberg, Montrose Point, April 28, 2025.*

And then, a participant exclaimed, “The pheasant!” The group’s attention quickly shifted back to the path in front of them. The Ring-necked Pheasant that had been evading their eyes all morning finally came out in full view, crossing the bare dirt path. A truly one-of-a-kind bird for the area, its features make it stick out like a sore thumb—deep crimson wattles, shimmering copper body plumage, and the bright white neck collar. Relieved, the birders spent their remaining time together celebrating with the pheasant. At the end of the walk, they tallied 55 total species.

Thirteen people leaning in to smile at the photographer

Jarvis Bird Sanctuary

Sammy’s next walk was held at Jarvis for beginner- and novice-level birders with co-leader Josh Wright, who’s a regular birder at Jarvis. Thirteen birders gathered at the sanctuary’s viewing platform. After a quick group introduction, the new birders were oriented to binoculars and birding tips and jumped right into getting eyes on the first bird species: Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow, and American Goldfinch to name a few. Conk-la-REE! Potato chip, potato chip, potato chip!

A charming pair of Wood Ducks in the park’s central pond captivated the group. Each picked out some of their favorite duck features, from the female’s elegant eye ring and dappled breast to the male resembling an artist’s paint palette. This outing was much more relaxed than the one prior. The birders asked questions, learned, and began to practice their newly acquired skills.

Medium-sized bird with dark purple head, neck and shoulders, brown wings and back, and a short beak perched on a white ledge on a breeding box. — Purple Martin. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, April 28, 2025.*

Flocks of Purple Martins and Brown-headed Cowbirds circled overhead. Then, a band of Blue Jays stole the show with a mesmerizing display of their namesake color atop the tall trees. After an ample amount of time practicing at the viewing platform, the group set out for Jarvis’ trail loop. They were greeted by a White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows foraging ahead on the trail.

Robin-sized bird with black head, wings and tail, white belly and white bands on wings, and red triangle pointing down from its neckline to the middle of its breast, perched on a twig. — Rose-breasted Grosbeak. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, April 28, 2025.*

As the group completed the hiking loop, a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak made an appearance just off-trail, with an unobstructed view at eye level. The bird’s unique look captivated the group with audible oohs and aahs.

As the outing came to the end, the group tallied 38 species and shared their interest for future bird walks. The beginner birders were sent forth to continue on their new birding journeys.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Sammy’s third walk of the day was held at Lincoln Park Zoo. Now that it was 1 pm, the temperature had risen to 80°F. That did not deter the birds nor the 11 birders from staying out and being active. Departing from the Nature Boardwalk’s central bridge, Song Sparrows belted out—Maids, maids, maids, put on your tea kettle-ettle-ettle.

Medium-sized wading bird with green cap, bill and back, reddish neck and shoulders, and vertical white streak on its breast, standing on shoreline. — Green Heron. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Lincoln Park Zoo, April 28, 2025.*

At the pond’s north pier, a Green Heron landed on the shoreline less than ten yards away from the group. They watched as the softball-sized bird strut its legs in the water with its focus keen on the surface below.

Swimming next to the path, a dozen Canada Goose goslings followed their adult counterparts, kicking their feet as fast as their little feet could . Suddenly, some commotion erupted across the pond with a rapid and repetitive klee-klee-klee-klee-klee. An American Kestrel was being mobbed by several American Crows.

The group finished the Nature Boardwalk loop and headed towards the Black-crowned Night Heron rookery full of excitement. Sammy brought them to the southern end of the rookery where there seemed to be no heron activity. However, a glance up at the tree canopies revealed a dozen herons, adults and juveniles, hunkered down in the shadows.

The birders made their way to Stockton Dr. eager to find more herons. At the “heart” of the heron colony, the birders witnessed the spectacle that was the largest breeding colony of Black-crowned Night Herons in Illinois. The herons’ guttural vocalizations resonated throughout—QWOK! QWOK! The most populous trees of the rookery, the maples in the enclosure for the zoo’s Red Wolves, had not yet leafed out, so the birders got the chance to watch the herons’ activities intently.

Black-crowned Night Heron. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Lincoln Park Zoo, April 28, 2025.*

Herons were observed preening, resting, fortifying their nest platforms, and attracting mates with flashy displays. Dozens of herons were counted, many of which were observed in nests with a partner. The birders did their best to count as many herons as they could. They could see 381 herons from Stockton Dr. The rookery’s interior was closed off to the public to provide privacy to the colony.

At the time of writing this report, 768 adult Black-crowned Night Herons have been counted at the colony—a new record. Satisfied with experiencing the rookery, the birders tallied a total of 36 species from their walk at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Seven smiling people on grassy field in front of trees

Douglass Park

After an invigorating morning and afternoon, it was time to carry that energy through to the final bird walk at Douglass Park. Ten participants departed from the field house to the southern end of the lagoon. At this point of the day, it was rather windy. Wind gusts echoed in the group's ears. Nonetheless, they were amused watching the swallows and gulls trying to right themselves in the windy conditions.

Suddenly, a male Eastern Bluebird perched on a low branch at eye level just ten yards from the group. Amazed, the participants studied the bird’s vivid blue back and contrasting orange-brown breast. It felt as if time had stopped as this magnificent bird captivated the birders. And in similar fashion to its appearance, the bird flew away in a flash.

Seen from below, a small bird with white belly and underside of tail, orange chin and breast reaching down its sides, topped with a blue head, perched on a twig. — Eastern Bluebird. *Photo by Walter Marcisz, Saganashkee Slough, Dec. 19, 2021.*

The group continued on, but the unfavorable winds appeared to have decreased bird activity. Then, a loud, hoarse squawk of a Caspian Tern—Raaah—pierced through the wind, drawing the birders’ attentions to the sky.

At the north end of the park, the group looped around the secluded pond, catching a glimpse of a Northern Waterthrush at the water's edge. Its streaky pattern and earth-tone plumage made it hide well amongst the woody debris.

Backlit, a large wading bird with S-shaped neck and long, pointed orange bill and long legs, standing on a tree stump high in the air. — Great Blue Heron. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Douglass Park, April 28, 2025.*

To round out the walk, a Great Blue Heron landed at the apex of a tall, dead tree. The heron was backlit by the sunset, setting a pensive tone to the end of the day’s walk. The group ended the Douglass Park walk with a count of 36 species.

Sammy’s “Big Trip” Day with COS tallied 64 species, covered nearly ficw miles of trails, and hosted 42 trip participants.

Sammy urges you to get out and go birding no matter the time of day or year, and don’t forget to grab a friend or several. Chicago’s sprawling mosaic of urban green spaces provide refuges for the birds and birders alike.

Field Trips Recap: Sammy's Big Day