Seventeen people with binoculars smile at the camera while on a platform overlooking a marsh.

words by Kris Hansen

Fifteen birders gathered on a perfect morning June 1 at Marian Byrnes Natural Area on Chicago’s South Side. As trip leader and COS President Edward Warden explained, the area once was a dumping ground for hot ash and cinders from nearby industrial plants. Rather than doing a traditional remediation, the Chicago Park District (CPD) left the hard surface and added soil. CPD supported naturally occurring flora and fauna as they took over the site, creating a unique blend of habitats, including prairie, shallow marshes and ditches, and cottonwood forest slowly giving way to oaks.

Small bird with dark brown cap, eye, back, wings and tail. The chin, neck, belly and tail tip are white. It is perched on a twig against a grassy background. — Eastern Kingbird. *Photo by Connie Smith, Marian Byrnes Natural Area, June 1, 2025.*

Following the paved walking path, the birders first spotted forest species, including American Robins, a Gray Catbird, and Northern Cardinals. As the path curved north and entered a marshy area, several Marsh Wrens burbled their greetings. Climbing to the top of the new overlook, the group were able to see both a Green and a Great Blue Heron, several pairs of Eastern Kingbirds, and dozens of Red-winged Blackbirds, not to mention a pair of Canada Geese with a gaggle of gangly goslings. A pair of Willow Flycatchers sang for us: “a fitz-beer.”

Suddenly, a Virgina Rail emerged from the rushes and waded around the shallow waters. The bird flew back and forth across an exposed area of water several times and then resumed wading in the open. “So much for rails being secretive, skulking birds,” quipped Warden.

Water Plantain. *Photo by Connie Smith, Marian Byrnes Natural Area, June 1, 2025.*

As we went back down the hill and along the long path to the southeast end of the area, Warden pointed out numerous plants that thrive in shallow water and ditches: water plaintain with its large, rounded leaves; thick horsetail rushes; arrrowhead plants; and blue flag irises. All thrive in areas that are regularly inundated with rain. Warden shared an easy way to tell types apart: “Rushes are round, sedges have edges.”

Further off the trail, we saw butterweed, which has been migrating up from southern Illinois due to climate change, and buttercups, also called crow’s feet. A number of cottonwood trees had fallen. Warden noted that they are both fast to grow and fast to fall, yet provide important shade for oak saplings.

Man in ball cap and jacket, with glasses, holding a small brown snake in his hands. The upper body of the snake is coiled sideways in the air. — COS President Edward Warden and DeKay’s brownsnake. *Photo by Kris Hansen, Marian Byrnes Natural Area, June 1, 2025.*

He also captured a DeKay’s Brown Snake, which eyed us all with suspicion as we admired its smooth self.

As we moved south, we entered woodpecker territory, spotting Redheaded, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. In addition to resident Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats, we spotted Baltimore Orioles, a Warbling Vireo, and both Song and Swamp Sparrows.

Small bird with brown cap, back and tail. It has gray checks, neck and breast with brown streaks, including a brown stripe running through its dark eye. It is perched on a white post. — Song Sparrow. *Photo by Connie Smith, Marian Byrnes Natural Area, June 1, 2025.*

The skies were equally fascinating. An American Kestrel perched on a distant power line. Red-tailed, Red-shouldered and Cooper’s Hawks soared overhead, along with a handful of Turkey Vultures. Then, to our surprise, we saw four Mute Swans flying south over the park—the first time this species has been reported at Marian Byrnes!

A small brown bird with a pale yellow belly and wing edges and a high crest atop its head, perched on the end of a broke branch. — Great Crested Flycatcher. *Photo by Steve Pearson, Marian Byrnes Natural Area, June 1, 2025.*

Things were quiet at the new viewing platform off the southern edge of the park, but as we moved back toward our starting point, we found the species that Warden had been looking for—Great Crested Flycatchers! A male and female appeared to be investigating a cottonwood tree for a possible nesting site.

Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows escorted us back to our starting point, where an Indigo Bunting gave us a closing serenade. All together, we saw an even 50 species.

Birds & Botany: Marian Byrnes Natural Area