Field Trip Recap: Horizon Farm

Thirteen people smiling at camera with green field behind them. The sky is streaked with clouds and color as sunset approaches.

words by Joann Umeki

Was that R2-D2, or was that a Bobolink? The Bobolink’s rambling, metallic buzz filled the air at Horizon Farm in Barrington on May 23 as Sammy Cabindol led a group of 12 on an evening walk through its meadows and wetlands. The grassland-breeding Bobolinks were a special treat for the urban birders. The yellow-capped males with reverse tuxedo plumage seemed to be everywhere as they sang and flew from perch to perch. 

Medium-sized bird in profile, clinging to a weed. Back of head is yellow. Face, throat and belly are black, whith thick white streaks reaching from shoulders through its tail. Beak is short and stubby and the eye us dark.

Bobolink. Photo by Joann Umeki, Horizon Farms, May 23, 2026.

Heading toward the wetland, a Great Egret shone in the sun, and soon a lone Sandhill Crane came into view. As the crane produced its rolling bugle call, Cabindol described the anatomy of a Sandhill’s trachea as looping inside its chest. This structural adaptation, akin to a trombone, produces lower-frequency sounds, allowing the call to travel farther than one produced by a shorter trachea. Just as the group was wondering where this Sandhill’s mate might be, another crane flew in. Watching the broad wings and gangly legs maneuver a landing was quite spectacular.

Two Wood Ducks had just flown away from the pond when we noticed a brood of 10 Wood Ducklings. Where did mom and dad go? Who’s guarding the fort? Our fears were soon allayed after two more Wood Ducks were spotted at the water’s edge. Eastern King Birds, Northern Yellow Warblers, a Brown Thrasher, and a Baltimore Oriole were among the birds on the path adjacent to the pond.

In profile and perched upright on a stalk, a small, lean bird with a short, thick pink bill. The head and back are pumpkin colored. A black streak runs through the dark eye and down the neck. Another black streak runs across the top of the head.

Henslow’s Sparrow. Photo by Matt Zuro & Dick Young, Aug. 2, 2023.

Once on the path through the meadow, Eastern Meadowlarks sang their ethereal song, while a flock of Cedar Waxwings flew overhead. Two Henslow’s Sparrows came into view, and as a special treat, gave us not only their song, but also long looks in the distance.

Through the wooded area, Common Yellowthroats and Gray Catbirds ducked in and out, as Willow Flycatchers sallied for insects. We also saw a Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Flicker, Northern Cardinal, and a Downy Woodpecker.

On the walk back to the parking lot, as male Bobolinks continued to sing, Cabindol speculated that the females could be nesting, as none had come into view. In all, 39 species had been seen on this sunset walk that ended at dusk, just in time for an FPDCC ranger escort out of the park.

Field TripKris HansenHorizon Farm