Ten adults in shorts and t-shirts, with binoculars, smiling at the camera

words by Steve Whitman

Eleven birders joined COS Board Member Robyn Detterline at Columbus Park in Chicago on August 16 to enjoy birds and improve their habitat through stewardship. COS’s monthly “Borbs and Forbs” events partner with park stewards to maintain natural habitat. After observing 25 species of birds and enjoying the park, the group collected seeds for future plantings at Columbus.

For several birders, it was their first time at Columbus Park. After meeting in the Fieldhouse parking lot near the intersection of Central and Harrison, the group walked west toward the lagoon while listening to Warbling Vireos and American Goldfinches in the trees above.

Detterline pointed out the chittering of Chimney Swifts above, and the group was treated to a flock that was congregating rather low in the sky, possibly to drop down to the lagoon en masse, for a morning sip of water.

A small bird with long yellow legs, long pointed brownish pink bill, light brown head, back and wings, white undersides and a white ring around a dark eye walks across lilypads on the water. — Spotted Sandpiper. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Columbus Park, Aug. 16, 2025.*

Mallards, Wood Ducks, and Canada Geese waded in the lagoon, and a Spotted Sandpiper was foraging on the lily pads at the water’s edge. There was a lot of activity in the area around the “hill” in the middle of the park with American Robins, Northern Flickers, and an Eastern Kingbird busily feeding. The group was treated to another flock of birds, this time Cedar Waxwings, moving through the sky and briefly resting on the treetops over the “island.”

The group followed the path through the designated Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary, spotting the elusive Warbling Vireo and, briefly of course, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Next, the group moved on toward the Jens Jensen-designed wooded natural area and observed a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Downy Woodpecker, and Baltimore Orioles.

Clinging vertically to the bark of a tree using long gray toes tipped with sharp talons, this bird has a short, pointed bill, a white throad and underbelly, a black cap and dark streak leading away from its eye, and a black back with white spots — Downy Woodpecker. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Columbus Park, Aug. 16, 2025.*

On the north side of the wooded area, just behind the Refectory, trees and shrubs provide cover for birders to discreetly view more sections of the lagoon. A Black-crowned Night Heron was observed utilizing this same cover to look for its prey.

Detterline led the group around the wooded area and introduced everyone to Laura Brentner, an Environmental Science professor at Loyola University and our stewardship host. Brenter described her work to maintain the pristine natural areas throughout the park and that on this day the goal was to collect seeds for future plantings in more areas of the expansive park.

Starting in the aforementioned Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary, Brenter handed out baggies for the volunteers to collect seeds from Bee Balm, Marsh Mallow, Ironweed, Cup Plant, Soloman’s Seal, Elderberry, and others. Volunteers were instructed on how to look for and harvest the seeds. Brentner provided a Horticulture 101 review: “Sedges have edges, rushes are round, grasses are hollow.” We found all of these.

Soon, dozens of baggies were full of seed and the volunteers were glad to see them gathered by Brenter to be spread around the park to provide more food and habitat for birds and other fauna. Ultimately, the volunteers helped ensure that future birding at Columbus Park will be even more enjoyable.

Field Trip Recap: Borbs and Forbs at Columbus Park