Field Trip Report: Baker's Lake

Large dark-brown bird seen in profile facing left, standing on round log with water behind it. The long, narrow hooked bill is yellowish orange. The bird has an s-shaped neck, a narrow body, long spiky tail and webbed feet.

Double-crested Cormorant. Photo by Lin Johnston, North Pond, Aug. 21, 2024.

words by Kris Hansen

A strange structure rises above a man-made island in the middle of Baker’s Lake: Three stories of wooden posts, beams and cross-struts, looking vaguely like the dilapidated remains of an old covered bridge. Every available surface is covered with Double-crested Cormorants and Great White Egrets, hundreds in all. Welcome to one of the most important heron rookeries in the Midwest.

Sammy Cabindol led 11 birders on a midday waterbird walk to this Forest Preserve site in the northwest corner of Cook County on April 13. Equipped with binoculars and two spotting scopes, the group studied the birds on the structure and a nearby sandbar, as well as the surrounding trees.

Two large birds seen from below, flying left. The feathers at the ends of the long, narrow wings are black. Very large, long, hooked beaks are orange.

American White Pelicans. Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Baker’s Lake, April 13, 2026.

Startlingly white against the gray waters, 35 American White Pelicans immediately caught our attention. As we focused in, it was easy to spot the dozens of Northern Shovelers paddling nearby. Caspian Terns, the first of the year for many, perched on the sandbar by the pelicans. Not to be outdone, a lone Killdeer strutted by.

A perched Osprey gave long looks from a tree across the lake. Separately, a Bald Eagle and a Sandhill Crane soared overhead. Four Blue-winged Teal flew past at eye level, seemingly investigating locations at the edges of the pond for the perfect spot.

Seen from behind and looking left, a medium-sized brown bird with orange and white scallops along all its wings. The short pointed beak is black. There is a white horizontal stripe above a dark eye, flanked by black stripes. It is perched on a twig.

Red-winged Blackbird. Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Baker’s Lake, April 13, 2026.

After stowing the scopes, Sammy led the group on the trail by the lake. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles loudly announced their presence. American Crows and Blue Jays joined the raucous chorus. American Robins and a Song Sparrow added their sweet songs. All together we saw 28 species and discovered a new birding spot.

Field TripKris HansenBaker's Lake, COS in the Suburbs