Clinging vertically to the left side of a tree, a medium-size bird with pointed, narrow black bill. The head, back and tail are gray-black, with a white belly and large white patches on the wings. — Red-headed Woodpecker (immature). *Photo by Phil Strosberg, Cranberry Slough, Jan. 4, 2026.*

words by Joann Umeki

On Jan. 4, Phil Stosberg led a group of nine birders on a 2.5 mile stroll through Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve on the first COS walk of 2026. The Palos trail system is one of the largest in Cook County, and birding the sloughs offers the chance of viewing Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, and Red-headed Woodpeckers all in one place. Stosberg’s suggestion that Pileated Woodpeckers were also a possibility added to the group’s excitement as the walk began.

A pair of Blue Jays seemed to follow the group onto the trail. A few yards in, a Hairy Woodpecker and White-breasted Nuthatch were spotted in the treetops. Further along, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers were spotted, along with a Tufted Titmouse in the distance. A Red-headed Woodpecker soon appeared, completing the expected woodpecker quad. As we neared a dormant meadow, Stosberg described it as a summer haven for hummingbirds, when the Orange Jewelweed is in bloom.

Clinging upright to a vertical branch, a medium-sized bird with sturdy, pointed white bill. The head is crimson red, the back and tail are black, and the belly and wing patches are white. — Red-headed Woodpecker (adult). *Photo by Joann Umeki, Cranberry Slough, Jan. 4, 2026.*

With snow-covered trails and nine pairs of boots crunching along, frequent stops had to be made to listen for calls quieter than the vocal jays. The onomatopoeic “chicka dee dee dee” song of Black-capped Chickadees, the “kwrrr kwrrr” of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and nasal buzzing of White-breasted Nuthatches cued more sightings. In an area known for its resident Eastern Bluebirds, Stosberg played its call for the group to assist with identification, but none were seen or heard.

Although no birds were spotted on the frozen Cranberry Slough, a lone Ring-billed Gull and several Canada Geese flew overhead. Walking on, Red-headed Woodpeckers seemed to be everywhere, and an immature woodpecker just gaining his moniker red head gave some nice looks in the sun. And then, “cuk, cuk, cuk, cuk, cuk,” the laughing of the Pileated Woodpecker! It was too distant and hidden to spot, but the call was unmistakable.

Stosberg suddenly called out, “Owl!” Perched in a tree in full sun was a Great Horned Owl. After much admiring and many photos, the group moved on, and soon found Dark-eyed Juncos and Tree Sparrows hiding in the grasses along the path. Another Red-headed Woodpecker made for a total of 14 for the day.

Puffed up against the cold, a small, round dark-gray bird with a white belly, short pink beak and dark eye perched on a t wig, facing left. — Dark-eyed Junco. *Photo by Walter Marcisz, Wolf Lake, Jan. 4, 2026.*

That would have been a hard to beat walk highlight, but the unexpected Great Horned Owl topped the list. In all, 17 species were observed.

To protect owls, the Chicago Ornithological Society does not publish their photos or give precise locations.

Field Trip Recap: Cranberry Slough