Field Trip Recap: Horner Park

Ten people in light jackets, with binoculars, smiling at camera, on gravel path flanked by leafy green trees.

words by Steve Whitman

Ten birders met COS Board Member and trip leader Chris Cochrane for a 6:30am trip at Horner Park on Friday, May 15. Favorable southerly winds provided good diversity and numbers of birds to sustain everyone through the work day ahead. 

The group met in the southwest corner of the park and tried to focus on introductions as warblers and Cedar Waxwings flitted atop the trees around them. Cochrane led the group towards the activity in the Nature Play area, and the group stretched their necks to observe American Redstarts, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Eastern Warbling Vireos.

Moving east towards the North Branch of the Chicago River, more warblers and a Blue-headed Vireo were foraging in the treetops along the path. An Eastern Wood-Pewee, recently arrived from their wintering grounds, sang out peeawee.

Seen in profile facing left, a small bird with a long gray tail, gray back and gray high-crested head. The upper part of the medium narrow bill is black and the lower is orange. The throat and belly is white. Perched on upright twig.

Eastern Wood Pewee. Photo by Dustin Weidner, Little Red Schoolhouse, July 24, 2024.

Cochrane boasted of Horner’s habitats, and the natural area adjacent to the river did not disappoint. The path above the bank provided vantage points for viewing Common Yellowthroats, Song Sparrows, and American Goldfinches in the grasses. A Green Heron perched in a tree across the river.

Moving north, reveling in the fine weather and birdiness, many in the group lamented how fast the time was passing, and that they had to go to work. The oaks and shrubs popping with warblers distracted them for the time being.

Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Black-and-White, Cape May, Northern Yellow, Palm, and Tennessee Warblers and numerous American Redstarts were observed in the oak savanna on the east side of the park. Cochrane worked hard to help everyone keep up with the frenzied activity.

In profile and from slightly below, an egg-shaped bird with short, narrow bill, yellow breast and eyering, dark cap, and dark wings with two white wingbars, perched on a twig.

Yellow-throated Vireo. Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Horner Park, May 15, 2026.

A gorgeous Yellow-throated Vireo gave great looks for the whole group. Cochrane explained that this species is rare for the park.

As 8 am rolled around, the group reluctantly peeled themselves away from Horner Park and the birds, with joy and peace stored up for the rest of the weekday. We saw 49 species.

Field TripKris HansenHorner Park