Three birders braved inclement weather at Humboldt Park on April 28, to learn a bit more about birding by ear. Sam Burckhardt led us in overcast windy 45 degree weather; luckily down pour had just ended. We had 46 species. Despite the weather, we had good views of several warbler species, and a snipe that was very visible on a mowed lawn. Sam adeptly pointed out the songs and calls of a variety of birds.
Twenty-two observers participated in the Lake Calumet Earth Day Birding hike on Sunday morning (22 April 2012). The walk was sponsored by Audubon Chicago Region, Chicago Ornithological Society, Bronzeville Historical Society, and the Illinois International Port District.
This weekend trip was led by Dr. Jeff Walk of The Nature Conservancy. Jeff grew up in the area and knows it well. On Saturday, we scoured farm fields in the Newton-Prairie Ridge area. With a full moon and the wee hours of Sunday, we headed out to watch a show of Prairie Chickens.
We had 82 species of birds on the count this year, the 63rd time the count"s been held. This is the third best species total for the Lisle-Arb count, trailing only the counts from Dec 2009 (89 species) and Dec 2006 (86 species).
