Field Trip Recap: Humboldt Park Sunday Social

Seventeen people in winter gear, with binoculars, smile toward the camera with their backs against the stone wall in front of the lagoon.

words by Carrie Lakin

On a sun-filled morning, 17 birders (both new and experienced) made it out to Humboldt Park on Sunday, Feb. 15, for the Sunday Social Bird Walk. As luck would have it, the group was treated to a nice variety of birds, consisting of 20 confirmed species.

Near the boat launch parking area, a gaggle of Canada Geese greeted us as we began the walk. Shortly afterwards a trio of Northern Flickers were spotted in a large tree to the left of the lagoon.

Seen in profile and perched on a branch, a small brown bird with reddish cap, cheeks, and streaking on its wings and white breast. The bill is short, stubby and yellowish.and

Swamp Sparrow. Photo by Emily Tallo, Indian Ridge Marsh, Nov. 13, 2022.

As the group crossed the road, a few Tree and Swamp Sparrows sat nicely for viewing and many Dark-eyed Juncos popped up all along the journey. Here and there a male Northern Cardinal in juvenile plumage was seen sitting on a low tree branch with his plume on full display.

If you happen to venture there soon and walk by the “beach” habitat, you might be lucky enough to see the same American Kestrel that was kind enough to fly down and land on top of the lamp post for a close-up visit.

Small bird of prey with orange breast, white throat and sides, and gray cap. Vertical dark streaks run from its eyes to the breast. Black spots dot its sides. The bird is perched on a round white streetlight globe.

American Kestrel. Photo by Chris Holden, Humboldt Park, Feb. 15, 2026.

As the group made its way across the bridge toward the far end of the park, a friendly White-breasted Nuthatch was seen mixed in with some Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Not to be forgotten was the sole Downy Woodpecker that announced their arrival loudly.

Seen in profile, small bird with blue back, black cap and wing edges, and white face, throat and belly, clinging upside down to the bark of a tree, seed in its bill.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Chris Holden, Humboldt Park, Feb. 15, 2026.

With the water and open fields located along the gentle pathway, one could almost forget to look skywards. If so, you would have missed the Cooper’s Hawk in flight, along with a quartet of Mallards, as the group completed the circle back to the starting point.

Such a warm and sunny day certainly reminds us that the spring migration has begun and much more birding adventures await!

ProgramKris HansenHumboldt Park