Chris and Geoff Williamson led the nature walk in Chicago"s Burnham Park on 24 August 2013. When all was said an done, we had observed 33 species of birds, two species of mammals (aside from human beings and domestic dogs), 10 butterfly species, and one dragonfly species. Lists of all these creatures along with the number observed are provided at the end of this report.
Read MoreTwenty-two observers attended this joint Chicago Ornithological Society/Evanston North Shore Bird Club sponsored field trip to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant in southeast Chicago on Sunday morning (18 August 2013). Like last year's trip, it was an absolutely gorgeous day for a field trip. We counted at least 186 individuals of ten shorebird species, compared with 318 individuals of ten shorebird species on the same trip last year. The main difference between this year's trip and last year's was the number of Least Sandpipers (135 last year, 40 this year), and Pectoral Sandpipers (80 last year, 5 this year).
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Chris and Geoff Williamson led a nature walk to Montrose Point in Chicago's Lincoln Park on 27 July 2013. The weather was unseasonably cool, with the temperature at only 61 degrees Fahrenheit and with winds blowing from the northwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour. The skies were mostly cloudy.
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An Illinois Audubon Society Artand Photography Benefit and co-sponsored by Chicago Ornithological Society, "Birds of Lake and Cook Counties" will be held atErewhon Mountain Outfitters at 2585 Waukegan Road , Bannockburn, IL 60015. Theexhibit is from August 15-29, with a reception open to the public August 29 from7-10 pm
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A group of thirteen people joined me to bird the Paul Douglas Forest Preserve. The weather was perfect and despite a few ticks we had a very pleasant outing. We saw many of the targeted prairie birds, such as Savannah, Henslow's, and Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolinks and Dickcissels. It was of particular interest the see the male Bobolinks in molt. Other birds of interest were a Yellow-breasted Chat we heard at the edge of the prairie, as well as a female Orchard Oriole feeding a Brown-headed Cowbird. We ended with 46 species.
Read MoreKeith McMullen escorted our group of 15 to the many spectacular birding sights in Southern Illinois the last weekend of June. The final tally for this weekend's trip was 115 species! We had great looks at a lot of good birds and the company was excellent.
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COS is co-sponsoring a special exhibit of bird art and photography by Chicago-area artists. The exhibit will run August 15-29 at the Erehwon Mountain Outfitters store in suburban Bannockburn to raise conservation awareness.
All profits from the sale of the prints as well as select Erehwon products will be donated to the Illinois Audubon Society (www.illinoisaudubon.org), the state’s oldest private conservation organization.
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Chris and GeoffWilliamson led a nature walk to La Bagh Woods Forest Preserve along the Chicago River near where the Edens Expressway crosses Foster Avenue. The outing was sponsored by the Chicago Ornithological Society and the Chicago Group of the Sierra Club. The weather was a nice 64 degrees Fahrenheit, with east winds at 5 mph and cloudy skies. Toward the end of the outing some rain showers moved in and we were sprinkled on.
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Ten birders met for the COS field trip to Plum Grove. Kudos to Phil D, who came all the way from Rockford to join us. Weather was pleasant and the wind kept most mosquitos away. We first birded the west side of Burnham Ave for field birds. We walked the perimeter of the wide field to minimize nest disturbance. Dickcissels were most numerous and I am sure we saw over 12. One obliged us with views at 20 feet kicking his head back as he sang.
Read MoreOn June 2, a hearty bunch braved the cold and rain for birding, canoeing, and kayaking on the Skokie Lagoons. Escorted by Ryan Chew of Chicago River Canoe & Kayak and his able assistant Martha, we geared up at the Tower Road launch site. Except for the large species such as ducks and herons and the swallows, viewing was extremely difficult due to the mist and rain.
Read MoreThe 425th edition of the Chicago Ornithological Society's North Pond Bird Walk took place Wednesday, 5 June 2013 at North Pond in Chicago's Lincoln Park. We tallied 43 species.
Read MoreA group of 11 Chicago area birders joined me in pursuit of the Kirtland"s Warbler in Grayling, and in exploring birds in Iosco County, Michigan, over Memorial Day weekend. We were joined by Bill Rapai, the author of "The Kirtland's Warbler" for dinner on Sunday and a field trip on Monday. In three days, we saw 130 different species of birds, including Piping Plovers, Ruffed Grouse, nesting Ospreys, American Bittern, and twenty species of warblers. It was great fun with a great group of people.
Read MoreA group of 20 birders joined me on a tour through Humboldt Park, this morning. The day had started very promising with sighting a CATTLE EGRET near the baseball diamond south of the boat house.
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Announcing a crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo.com to raise finishing funds for the documentary "From Billions to None."
Read MoreOn a sunny but cool (31-45 degrees) and blustery day a hardy group of COS folks led by Jed Hertz braved the elements to find 90 species at the Willow Slough FWA, TNC Kankakee Sands, and parts of Eastern Kankakee Co.
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