Tag Archives: Common Tern

Cook County

Harborside International Golf Course

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Harborside International Golf Course is located at 11001 S. Doty Avenue East in southeast Chicago. Doty Avenue is the frontage road which runs along the east side of I-94 (Bishop Ford Expressway), and it may be easily accessed by exiting I-94 at the 111th, 115th, or 130th Street east exits. The golf course is situated at the northwest corner of Lake Calumet, and clear views of the lake and its various habitats are easily obtained from the clubhouse balcony (a spotting scope is recommended). The facility is normally open from April 1st through October 31st. Species groups found at Harborside since 2002 have typically included waterfowl, wading birds, raptors, shorebirds, and grassland birds.

Harborside International Golf Course is a private facility, but the Harborside management has no objection to birders observing from this location if certain protocols and restrictions are observed. Cameras/photography are forbidden on the premises. Birders are allowed to view from the clubhouse balcony only, but only on days when the balcony is not already in use for a special event. Birders are discouraged from using the balcony from noon to 1 pm, when golf course patrons may be lunching there. To get to the clubhouse balcony, enter the golf course and follow the entrance road to the parking lot. Drive to the east end of the parking lot, park, and walk east to the clubhouse. The balcony is at the east end of the clubhouse.

Birds seen at Harborside Golf Course since 2002 include 27 waterfowl species (21 ducks). Less common waterfowl have included Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, and White-winged Scoter (usually three, but up to six Greater White-fronted Geese were regularly viewed from the clubhouse balcony during May of 2013). Ring-necked Pheasants were commonly heard calling from the clubhouse balcony through 2008, but it appears that this species no longer occurs on the property. Pied-billed & Horned Grebes are commonly seen during the proper season, and an Eared Grebe could be viewed from the clubhouse balcony during May of 2002 and April of 2009. American White Pelicans occur only uncommonly and sporadically during migration.

Nine wader species have occurred since 2002, with less common species including Least Bittern, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. At least twelve raptor species have been seen at Harborside since 2002. Turkey Vultures & Red-tailed Hawks are commonly seen throughout the summer months, but Osprey, American Kestrel, & Peregrine Falcon are also occasionally seen. A pair of Bald Eagles recently built a nest at the tip of the northernmost slip at southeastern Lake Calumet, and the nest (w/incubating adult) could be viewed from the clubhouse balcony during the spring of 2013. Virginia Rail & Sora (and Marsh Wren) may be heard calling from the clubhouse balcony during the proper season, and Common Gallinule has also occasionally been seen from that vantage point.

At least 24 shorebird species have occurred since 2002, with less common species including American Avocet, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed & Long-billed Dowitchers, and Wilson’s Phalarope. A few Bonaparte’s Gulls may be seen with the many Ring-billed & Herring Gulls during migration, and a Laughing Gull could be viewed from the clubhouse balcony during June of 2006. A 1st-cycle Great Black-backed Gull lingered throughout May & much of June in 2004. Caspian Terns are regular during summer, and Forster’s, Common, & Black Terns are occasionally seen during migration. A nesting colony of Bank Swallows (50-100+ nest holes) was located at the northeast corner of Lake Calumet (across the lake from the clubhouse balcony) from 2002 – 2009.

A Northern Mockingbird has appeared on the golf course grounds on more than one occasion. Savannah Sparrows, Dickcissels, & Eastern Meadowlarks are commonly heard singing along the Harborside entrance road during June, and Bobolinks have also occurred. As a plus, Franklin’s Ground Squirrels breed on the property and are also occasionally seen along the entrance road.


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Cook County

Montrose Point

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To most birders in Chicago, Montrose is a must for any day in spring migration. It is one of the first land masses birds see when they come to shore after a day of migration, and has fantastic habitat for all types of migrants. When one arrives at Montrose early in the morning, the beach is usually the first spot to check. This area is located to the left of the fishhook pier and will usually have a variety of water birds. In migration, one can find Ruddy Turnstone, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Sanderling,  Semipalmated Plover, Whimbrel, Willet, and sometimes even the rare Marbled Godwit. There can be Common and Forester’s Terns on the beach with the gulls, and sometimes uncommon gulls mixed in.

Moving into the native grasslands, one can encounter a variety of new species. Nelson’s and LeConte’s Sparrows are usually the high point for some in fall migration, as they are uncommon migrants and with a bit of searching can be found in the grasses. Short-eared Owls are known to be in the grasses and can be found with luck. One can also find Horned Lark, Lapland Longspur, and other sparrow species. Harris’s Sparrows sometimes can be found in the willows that are throughout the grasses, but they are usually only found once or twice in migration.

In the actual sanctuary, there is a vast system of trails that birders like to walk daily to find all the birds present. The Magic Hedge is located in the north part of the sanctuary and is known as on of the best spots in migration for warblers and other birds at Montrose. In one day, there can be over 20 species of warbler, including less common species like Mourning Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Golden and Blue-winged Warbler, and more. There is also a water drip for birds to drink from, which can also hold good migrants since there is a dead tree next to it for birds to perch in. If you come to Montrose in early May, it is almost a guarantee you will run into other local birders at the Magic Hedge, as well as throughout the Sanctuary.

Montrose is also an amazing magnet for uncommon to rare birds. Bob Hughes has recorded over 330 species at Montrose,  and recent uncommon birds have been Burrowing Owl, Western Grebe, Black-legged Kittiwake. Many first state records have been found at Montrose, and that is most likely due to the numbers of birders that travel there. Bob Hughes has a website dedicated to Montrose birding, which can be viewed at here: http://theorniphile.info/montrose_primer.html

montrose

1) Montrose Harbor

2) Golf Course Pond

3) Cricket Hill

4) Wilson Boat Launch

5) The Magic Hedge

6) Montrose Beach

7) The Meadow

8) Montrose Dunes

9) Fishhook Pier

(Courtesy of Bob Hughes and the Montrose Primer (http://theorniphile.info/montrose_primer.html)


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Lake County

Waukegan Beach

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Nestled amongst an archaic industrial backdrop, Waukegan Beach is one of the premier lakefront birding sites in Lake County.  Historically, this site has hosted quite a few state rarities, including Tricolored Heron, Arctic Tern, and Mountain Bluebird.  In the fall and winter months, the northernmost pier has been the most reliable spot in the state to find a Purple Sandpiper.  It almost strictly a migratory bird stopover site, with very few notable breeders.  The summer months are dominated by beach goers, and unless you get there early, a fee to enter the beach.  Birding Waukegan can be broken into several categories: beach, dunes, park, harbor.

The beach proper is best birded by heading north on the shoreline from the northern pier.  The half mile stretch of beach to Greenwood Ave is a great place in the spring and summer to pick up migrating shorebirds.  In April, it is a great spot for Piping Plovers.  Other notable shorebirds seen in fall/spring migration include Baird’s Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dunlin, Willet, American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover, and Red Knot.  In spring, terns are easily seen flying over the lake with both Common and Forster’s being numerous.  Also, Bonaparte’s Gulls are readily seen in season while walking the beach, though not in their previous numbers.

As mentioned earlier, the piers are, with luck, a great spot to find Purple Sandpiper.  In migration, Ruddy Turnstones are seen almost annually on the piers, too.  In winter, this has been a historical site to find Harlequin Duck.  Off the piers (northern or “Government” Pier) on a fall day with stiff NE winds, is a great place for lake watching.  All three scoter species have been found alongside Long-tailed Ducks and the other common divers.

The dunes adjacent to the beach are a great place to hike during migration.  Any part of the dunes near water can kick up Nelson’s and Le Conte’s Sparrows.  An early morning hike can include hunting Northern Harriers and flushed Short-eared Owls.  Swarms of swallows course over the marshland, with all the regular occurring species seen in good numbers.  The fall of 2012 included a November sighting of Cave Swallow.  Scrubbier habitat near the beach parking lot can hold large quantities of migrating passerines on any spring/fall day.  Always worth checking this area.

The park just west of the swimming beach, locally known as the “Magic Pines,” can be migrant trap.  Notable species seen during migration include Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Canada Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Clay-colored Sparrow.  Almost any migratory passerine can be found here on the right day.  Like most lakefront sites, this can also be a great place to see high counts for a species.

The harbor is the place to look for ducks that enjoy sheltered waters.  During migration and winter, look for Horned Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye.  To bird the harbor, it is best to walk along Government Pier, parking in the marina parking lot.  It’s always worth scanning from the end of government pier.  Most recently, a Western/Clark’s Grebe was spotted there.  Snowy Owls have been found on the harbor docks in winter, as well as on the end of the piers in good years.  As the harbor freezes over, gulls congregate in small/medium numbers.  Despite not having the highest individual counts, the seven “regular” species have been seen.


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Fulton County

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge / Thompson Lake

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Thompson Lake is one of the magical birding spots in Illinois. The number of rarities and unusual species found here in recent years is too big to list here. Breeding or summering species include up to 16 species of ducks and geese, Black-necked Stilt, Black Tern, American White Pelican, Common Gallinule, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, King Rail, Marsh Wren, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle.

Shorebird numbers depend on the water levels. During migrations Thompson Lake is an excellent place to look for unusual shorebirds including American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Willet, Piping Plover, Western Sandpiper, Sanderling (always difficult to find away from Lake Michigan), Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalaropes. Franklin’s Gulls can usually be found here dring spring and fall migration, along with Common, Forster’s and Caspian Terns. White-faced Ibis have been seen here regularly, especially in fall. The scrub and weeds south of the observation tower can be very good for sparrows and other migrants September—November, including LeConte’s Sparrow, Nelson’s Sparrow, Sedge Wren. After breeding, hundreds of Eurasian Tree Sparrows often congregate near the observation platform.

In November and December Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl rest at Thompson, and flocks of 10,000 or more Snow Geese are frequently encountered. Ross’ Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose and Cackling Goose can usually be found here as well.

At the Clark Rd. hunter’s access, many scrub and prairie species can be found, including Henslow’s Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, Bell’s Vireo, Willow Flycatcher, Red-headed Woodpecker. Walking the half-mile trail to the water’s edge can often be very productive. Note that the access is simply a mowed path in the grass, and may not be accessible to all vehicles.


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