Here’s the latest from Annemarie Rand on the birds at Ronan Park:
I went to Ronan Park early on Sunday morning, May 10, to see what migrants were coming through. Since our winter was so long and brutal, it’s nice that spring is here and if you like birds, this is the time to get out and see some beauties!
Springtime is the time for the brightly colored warblers, the jewels of the bird world. They are tiny and quick, but their colors will make you gasp. I was able to see a Nashville warbler, a Black and White warbler, Magnolia warblers and a Palm warbler.
There was a hermit thrush, nesting American Robins, a Gray Catbird, and I heard a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. (I couldn’t see him though, so he must have been way up in the tree.)
There are a lot of Canada geese with babies. They like to walk right on the path, so if you encounter them, please don’t make them feel threatened in any way. They can get quite nasty and will attack. My advice is to stand very still, admire their babies, then get out of their way!
The Belted Kingfishers were flying overhead being very vocal. I also saw and heard White-crowned Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows. The Black-crowned Night Heron was under the old pumping station as usual. There were a lot of Barn Swallows and Chimney swifts as well.
I’m waiting to see the Red-headed Woodpeckers again. They weren’t there yet. I’m really hoping they come and nest again in the dead trees.
In March, I was invited by Audubon-Chicago Region to attend a talk given by National Audubon’s Senior Scientist for important bird areas. This scientist has a program that he would like Audubon-Chicago Region to pilot for him. I was thrilled to be asked to attend the meeting and it was very interesting. I don’t know exactly what the decision will be, but I was able to speak a bit about Ronan Park and the great improvements that have been made there and the wonderful birds that I see. Audubon-Chicago Region knows that I would be willing to do this program at Ronan Park if they and the Chicago Park District decide it’s something they want to pursue.
2 responses so far ↓
Lukie Marriott // May 23, 2009 at 3:02 am |
I don’t know the date, but about three weeks ago I came upon two woodpeckers together –red headed, I believe, not being an educated birder. The same day I saw two herons fly out from under a tree.
Neil Hatfield // October 10, 2009 at 11:53 am |
Well …, The Greater Chicago Area, being one of the great Wetlands of N.A. and stop over sites for migratory birds hosts a vast array. In my neck of the woods, the Illinois & Des Plaines River Valley near Lemont, some of the following can be seen and heard:
Geese, Mallards, Egrets, Great blue Herons, Sandhill Cranes, Scap Ducks, Cormorants, Goldfinchs, Hawks, Downy Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Cedar Waxwings, Blackbirds, Redwing blackbirds, Crows, Sparrows, and from rumors I’ve heard, American Eagles too name just a few.
If one is into Birding, the Chicago Area can be a paradise.