Ten people of various ages with binoculars in front of pond thick with lily pads

words by Kris Hansen

Ten people joined COS Board Member and trip leader Chris Holden for a Sunday Social Bird Walk on Aug. 17 at Humboldt Park . Even those new to birding felt the excitement that an American Bittern, a rare visitor to to this location, had been seen for several days, including earlier that morning.

Foregoing our usual route from the boathouse around the eastern lagoon, we instead walked purposefully—for birders—across the road and toward the southern tip of the west lagoon, known as Prairie River.

We passed a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, Rock Doves, European Starlings and many House Sparrows, as well as a Northern Flicker posing low in a tree. Fifteen flying cigars, also known as Chimney Swifts, soared overhead.

Half hidden by tall rushes and grasses, ten people peer through binoculars for the American Bittern.

Reaching the southern tip of the lagoon, across from the fallen willow, we met two birders who were staking out the spot, but the bird had not been seen for about an hour.

While we waited hopefully, Chris taught us more about this elusive waterbird and its vertical hiding position, which is perfect among tall reeds and sedges. He made us laugh with a story about another bittern, startled while walking across an empty ball field, frozen with its neck and beak stretched to the sky, looking like a crooked baseball bat.

American Bittern in erect defensive pose. Photo by Chris Holden, Humboldt Park, Aug. 17, 2025.

Vowing to return for another chance at the bird, we made our way around the tip and up the west side of the lagoon toward the swimming beach. It was weirdly quiet until we reached the footbridge. Suddenly we spotted one, then two, then a total of three Baltimore Orioles. Chris speculated they were nest mates who likely were born at the park.

Tall, thin wading bird with long, S-shaped neck, long legs, and sharp bill, standing on a log at the edge of the water.. — Great Blue Heron. *Photo by Caroline P, Humboldt Park, Aug. 17, 2025.*

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird zipped by. An American Kestrel watched from a relatively distant tree. An Eastern Kingbird posed for photos. A Great Blue Heron was motionless on the far bank. Numerous Red-Winged Blackbirds, including many juveniles, made mild threats as we continued north to the Fieldhouse and playground.

American Bittern. *Photo by Chris Holden, Humboldt Park, Aug. 17, 2025.*

Suddenly Chris got a text—the bittern returned! We hot-footed it back and found the bird on the opposite side of the lagoon and slightly north of where we had been searching earlier. It put on a show, feasting on dragonflies and frogs, for about an hour.

All told, we had 26 species, including one very cooperative American Bittern! Many thanks to the community of birders who helped us find this great bird.

Field Trip Recap: Sunday Social with an American Bittern