Field Trip Recap: Sunrise Birding at Montrose
words by Steve Whitman
At dawn on Sept. 7, 15 intrepid birders met at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary for a walk led by Sammy Cabindol. Although it was a little early in the fall migration season, 51 species of birds were observed, including a historic sighting.
The group of experienced and newer birders met at the southwest entrance to the sanctuary. Soon after entering the park, Cabindol alerted everyone to a Red-breasted Nuthatch calling above. He described its call as nasally compared to the more common White-breasted Nuthatch, which the group would see and hear later and that has a more “enunciated honk.”
Along the path leading to the “Magic Hedge,” Swainson’s Thrushes were a challenge to spot in the low light, but Cabindol helped everyone get their eyes on them. He offered tips on distinguishing them from other thrushes—faded chocolate chips on the breast of Swainson’s and dark chocolate chips on the Wood Thrush.
American Redstart. Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Sept. 7, 2025.
Once the sunlight shone through the trees, birds appeared everywhere around the group, and any still-groggy birders were jolted into alertness. Cedar Waxwings, American Redstarts, and Cape May, Palm, Golden-winged, Magnolia, Bay-breasted and a Canada Warbler were spotted. Surprisingly, a Belted Kingfisher’s rattle call was heard. It was then seen zooming above us.
Cabindol revealed the secret to the hedge’s magic: birders report sightings on a Montrose channel on the Discord app. On this day, Cabindol didn’t need technology, for some Montrose morning regulars passed by and mentioned that a Broad-winged Hawk that had been spotted the night before was again in the sanctuary. Cabindol explained to the group how, given their migration patterns and habitat preference for old-growth forests, Broad-winged Hawks wouldn’t typically show up at Montrose.
Black-throated Green Warbler. Photo by Haley Harris, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Sept. 7, 2025.
On special alert for the hawk, the group made its way to the east side of the sanctuary and viewed a Veery and a Blackburnian and Black-throated Green Warbler.
Ahead, a group of other birders were clearly seeing something special. The group hustled along and at least one birder had a brief glimpse of a hawk flying just over the trees. While the friendly group of birders told Cabindol that he just missed the broad-winged, the consolation was a Black-billed Cuckoo that was perched right above the path, characteristically among tent caterpillar nests.
One of these friendly birders, Tarik Shahzad, who broke the Cook County birding record last year, explained the historical significance of the hawk sighting. This was the first broad-winged to be spotted at Montrose, increasing the species total to a gargantuan 353 reported at the sanctuary.
Broad-winged Hawk. Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Sept. 7, 2025.
Next, Cabindol led the group along the pier, and Double-crested Cormorants were spotted along with familiar gulls. A Sanderling was actively feeding on the protected beach area, and a Killdeer hid in plain sight nearby.
Killdeer. Photo by Haley Harris, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Sept. 7, 2025.
Back in the sanctuary, more warblers dazzled and Cabindol described their calls as “wet, like lips smacking.” With sore necks, the birders made their way back to where they started. Just before everyone parted, a hawk perched above the main path long enough for everyone to get a close look. No, this isn’t the Cooper’s Hawk they saw earlier—this was the Broad-winged! Each birder was able to experience magic, and history, at Montrose.