Fourteen people bundled up against the cold, all with bonoculars, along a railing beside the Chicago River.

Words by Lauren Kostas

A February trek along the Chicago River by the numbers:

19 energized birders of all different experience levels
4 riverside locations
3 carpools in the spirit of the “Year of Green Birding”
1 rare ‘bob-tail” swing span railway bridge
25 species

The Chicago River Blitz trip on Feb. 1 featured a cool combination of chill birds, lessons from Chicago history, and signs of ongoing progress to improve river habitat for birds, fish, and mammals like us.

Edward Warden, COS president, and COS board member Chris Holden led a caravan of birders along the Chicago River to spot species that thrive in and around its icy waters. Each location is an ideal place for winter birding because these river spots consistently have plenty of open water—even when the temps linger below freezing.

Two people with big cameras and six with binoculars peering at the river from a sidewalk.

We started our day at Park 571 in Bridgeport, where the South Branch of the Chicago River meets with the Sanitary and Ship Canal and the infamous Bubbly Creek. The three bodies of water come together in a large turning basin that supports industrial and private boat traffic.

Our group recorded dozens of Common Goldeneyes, all three kinds of Mergansers (Hooded, Red-breasted and Common) and a group of Dark-eyed Juncos in a recently planted natural area east of the boathouse. The highlight of the location was a solo Swamp Sparrow.

Sparrow with reddish cap, line through the eye and wing edge, gray face and cheecks, yellow bill, and tawny chest fading to gray, perched on a fence. — Swamp Sparrow. *Photo by Wenzheng Fang*

From the riverbank we were able to see several floating, man-made islands that were installed by Urban Rivers, in partnership with the Chicago Park District and the Shedd Aquarium. The small garden modules, secured to the bottom of the creek, provide quality wetland habitat while the roots of the aquatic plants serve as natural filters that absorb pollutants and improve water quality.

Our next stop was the North Avenue Turning Basin at the tip of Goose Island where the North Branch of the river meets the North Branch Canal. We learned the Canal was originally excavated by Chicago’s first mayor, William Ogden, in the second half of the 19th century and once served as a critical industrial corridor for barges loaded with raw materials like coal and lumber.

Standing on the historic swinging bridge that enabled the economic development of Goose Island, we identified American Coots, a solo bright red Northern Cardinal and several White-throated Sparrows.

Three brown sparrows with white throats perched in tree branches. — White-throated Sparrows. *Photo by Wenzheng Fang*

Next stop was our third turning basin, located where Diversey Avenue crosses over the North Branch of the river. We observed Buffleheads and Greater Scaup—both lifers for one of our group members—and an adorable Pied-billed Grebe that seem startled by the attention.

We wrapped our morning at River Park, where the North Branch of the Chicago River meets the North Shore Channel. The park features a boathouse, a public launch for canoes and kayaks, and more than six acres of native prairie habitat.

The location was rather quiet, bird-wise, because the river was high and moving quickly after a late January warm up. Nevertheless, we saw a Red-tailed Hawk, American Crows and dozens of Mallards.

We also spotted evidence of environmental improvements and stewardship. The natural areas along the shoreline were recently burned and we noted several floating gardens and nesting habitats that were installed by Urban Rivers last year.

We all enjoyed the brisk day and the chance to make some new friends and discover some fresh birding spots that can be enjoyed year-round.

Field Trip Report: Chicago River Blitz