Field Trip Recap: Sunday Social at Humboldt Park

words and photos by Chris Holden

On Sunday morning April 19, about a dozen birders gathered at the Humboldt Park Boathouse for a bird walk led by Chris Holden and Steve Whitman. It was the first time birding for several participants, so we had a lightning-fast introduction to the three B’s (binoculars, birding, bird walking) and then proceeded to taking in the birds. 

We observed the many Double-crested Cormorants that took over the lagoon and enjoyed their swimming, diving, and sunning. 

Caspian Tern. Humboldt Park, April 19, 2026.

Soon after the walk began, a Caspian Tern appeared and thrilled everyone by catching a fish on its first dive/attempt. It subsequently did several victory loops around the lagoon, fish held in its bill throughout (or was it fulfilling the fish’s life-long dream to experience flight before being gulped down?). 

Soon after, we got fantastic looks at a Palm Warbler and a Hermit Thrush, who were both nice enough to stop in plain sight on the path ahead.  Then we heard the distant calls of a Black-Capped Chickadee, which grew steadily louder until it flew into the tree right next to us, giving us great views of its adorable splendor. 

Hermit Thrush. Humboldt Park, April 19, 2026.

We were then joined by bird-guide royalty J’orge Garcia and Sammy Cabindol, who helped us find more birds and shared their knowledge.  Soon after their arrival a distant speck was noted high in the sky, clearly a raptor.  Telephoto lens photos revealed it to be a rare-for-the park Broad-Winged Hawk, migrating to parts unknown (to us). 

A Red-Tailed Hawk was seen flying overhead several times on the trip, much lower and more locally.  Other great birds we saw include a Northern Waterthrush, American Coot, early Chimney Swift, and Brown Thrasher.  By trip’s end, our bird species count stood at 40.