Cool out and little sun but a nice day for warblers, thrushes, woodpeckers, vireo's and grosbeaks May 11, 2013

Not expecting a good birding day we did have lots of species and the best warbler-thrush day of the year. Also, grosbeaks everywhere. It was a 5 thrush day with Wood, Hermit, Swainson's, Veery and Robin. Fourteen species of warblers with the highlight a nice Parula. Grosbeaks were everywhere. I believe we had more than a dozen.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak eating ? off the ground.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the Japanese Garden

Wood Thrush

Very close Yellow Warbler after complaining about the difficulty of photographing Yellow Warblers

Same bird very close

Add captionWarbling Vireo

Green Heron

The Destruction of Habitat Near Wooded Island-Jackson Park

Below are photo's of the continued destruction of trees lining the lagoons behind the Museum of Science and Industry as well as trees close to the approach to Wooded Island. Prime habitats for both migratory birds and nesting birds are being destroyed. Replacement plantings include cherry trees to "create beauty". Check out the youtube below. Most of the work recently has taken place during May in the middle of migration.

http://youtu.be/C45tk8LkBD4

Birders make up the vast majority of folks that utilize Wooded Island and adjacent areas. Numbers included 24 in one group last Saturday (May 4) and 36 the week before (April 27). Every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the year there is a birding walk on Wooded Island. During the prime migrating seasons it is not unusual to see 50-75 birders per week walking through Wooded Island, The Prairie and the perimeter of the museum. No other group consistently utilizes the Island. Yet, birders have never had a voice concerning the major changes taking place.

Here is a series of photo's showing the destruction. The Red Dot Tree is still standing as of May 8.

May 6, 2013 behind the Museum

Previous cutting during May

A perspective of how much habitat is being removed. This tree has now been shredded. 

Red Dot Tree ready for the saw-Located at the approach to Wooded Island

The Tree that will will cut soon!

Wednesday May 8, 2013-A Sad Day For Forage Trees

The entrance to Wooded Island is soon to be "beautified" A few of the favorite trees among birders and birds will be put to the "ax". They have been red-dotted for destruction. They are located just to the left of the entrance bridge to Wooded Island. A favorite tree for warblers, sparrows and many other birds.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak was hanging out in this tree. The Grasshopper Sparrow was found on the lakefront.

Red-dotted tree-will be cut down

Sad to see the tree go!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak-was in the tree

Mourning Dove

First Hummer of the year

Grasshopper Sparrow found on the lakefront

May 6, 2013-Birds This Week and the Destruction of Habitat

Check out the video of the destruction of trees surrounding the lagoon behind the Museum of Science and Industry. Several trees have succumbed to the shredder. These were trees that were frequented by migrating and nesting birds. They provided habitat next to the lagoon for fish and other wildlife. The trees will be replaced with cherry trees to provide color (not habitat) in spring. Included is an example of the beauty that is in jeopardy on Wooded Island.

http://youtu.be/C45tk8LkBD4

Great White Trillium

Palm Warbler

Redheaded Woodpecker

Yellow-rumped Warbler

May Day-May 1st, 2013-Some Great Birds

Let's begin with a look at a youtube of a Robin singing a spring tune.

http://youtu.be/i6BdcLSiIyk

Today was sunny and 80 degrees by noon. The highlight today was a LeConte's Sparrow and upon returning in the afternoon, a Bluebird and 2 Pine Warblers. Also, a pink tinged Ring-billed Gull was found at 64th street beach.

LeConte's Sparrow

Eastern Bluebird

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pink tinged Ring-billed Gull

Close-up of Ring-billed-Pink

Pine Warbler

Birds and Other Creatures Observed April 27, 2013

Today the weather cooperated and there were some migrants. Pat Durkin will have a full list. Here are a few photographs.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Dead Coot Foot

Not a pretty sight-a Crow eating a rat-Not on Wooded Island

Female Cowbird

Osprey

Part of the gang watching a Sapsucker

  

Turtle

The Crown of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Misty to start but fine at the end October 3, 2012

Today was misty at times but some nice birds. The Merlin below was very cooperative. The crows were doing battle but the Merlin kept coming back to a close perch. The Wood Duck and Mallard were posing nicely.

Merlin-10/3/12-HC

A Duck Study-10/3/12-HC