Tag Archives: Louisiana Waterthrush

McClaughry Springs Forest Preserve

Located on Kean Ave between 11900 st and Rt 83, there is a small parking lot that holds about 12 cars. Mill Creek runs at the base of the large bluff. This area because of the creek which attracts insects and the bluff which blocks any westerly winds becomes a magnet for bird migrants. I have personally seen 33 species of warblers here.

The creek is Chicagoland’s best location for Louisiana Waterthrush which attempts to nest here every year. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher all breed here. All 5 expected species of woodpecker nest here also. There are many possibilities on how to bird this area depending on how long of a hike you are interested in. Check Cook County trail maps. Just south of the open area across the creek look for Marsh Marigolds and Virginia Bluebells in the early spring. The hike that I prefer is to walk from the parking lot NW to the bridge. This bridge which has overhanging trees is surreal in the spring. Eastern Phoebes nest under this bridge. Cross the bridge and walk along the edge of the creek northward and enjoy the many wildflowers. Cerulean Warbler nested here in 2009. This trail meets another trail that can take you either back to Kean Ave or you can hike west to the base of the old toboggan slides, now simply 124 steps used for serious exercise. Walking back towards Kean Ave you will cross another bridge where Ruby Throated Hummingbird is dependable.

This exits at the entrance to Palos Park Woods North. This parking lot is equally good for migrants plus nesting birds. You now have an option. You can either take Kean Ave south back to the parking lot about one block. Or you can proceed eastward through Palos Park Woods on a 45 minute hike that makes a loop that will eventually take you back to McClaughry Springs parking lot also. Besides birds mentioned, Broad-winged Hawk, American Redstart, Wood Thrush, Veery, Yellow Throated Vireo, Indigo Bunting are expected in this area. The area near the creek can be muddy depending on the weather. Otherwise the trail is the typical crushed limestone variety. Birding is naturally best here very early in the morning in May and where you will likely run into me.


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Birding the Lincoln Park Zoo area

The zoo grounds and surrounding park are an excellent place to bird during migrations. Chicago’s Lincoln Park, taken as a whole, is arguably the most popular birding destination in Illinois, and probably in the Midwest.

The zoo area has some challenges, such as parking and fences. If you can find a spot, the best place to park is on Stockton Drive, which borders the zoo on the west. N. Lincoln Park West (a half block west of Stockton) also has meter-free street parking. The zoo parking lot is very convenient, but quite expensive. A morning of birding may cost up to $20.

South of the zoo proper is South Pond, branded “Nature Boardwalk”. From late March through early June this area can have spectacular numbers of migrants. One of the main attractions here is the nesting colony of Black-crowned Night-heron. Up to 500 birds can be seen on or about the island in the pond, but in recent years, the colony has nested in the dense American Linden trees along the Grand Promenade, running straight south from the pond. The cattail and sedge marsh along the west edge of the pond has had summering Least Bittern.

The large oak trees to the east of the Grand Promenade is an excellent place to look for warblers and other migrants. Migrants that have been regularly seen in this section include Summer Tanager, Cerulean Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Red-headed Woodpecker. In May, flocks of sparrows can be found in the grass (look for un-mowed dandelions). Clay-colored Sparrow and LeConte’s Sparrow should be looked for, especially along the edges of the paths.

Walking north, along the east side of the pond, there is a group of large Black Locust near the Grant statue. Like the oaks, these trees can be full of migrants, and they tend to hold birds a little longer, as the trees are the last to flower in the park. This group of trees is a very good place to look for Empidonax flycatchers in late May.

As you walk around the pond, scan the island carefully, especially the water’s edge. The many dog-walkers in the park will flush birds that will find respite on the island. Many skulkers might be seen working the island’s tangled shore, such as Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Waterthrush, Mourning Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and other species that might come down to drink.

Walking north, follow the path along the shore of the pond, up and over Ridge Drive (the bridge), and enter the zoo at the turnstile gate. The path along the hoofstock yards can be very productive, and check the yards themselves carefully, especially the northernmost two. These two have more cover than the others, and migrants will come down to drink from the watering pools maintained for the antelope and deer on exhibit.

At this point, follow the path to the left (west) to another small boardwalk at the south end of the Swan Pond. This is another migrant hotspot, and the tall Cottonwood trees can sometimes hold a hawk or owl. A Northern Goshawk spent most of a winter here, and Great Horned Owl is frequently seen here. Continue along the west side of the pond, checking the plantings and trees as you go along.

Follow the path along toward the main mall of the zoo, but then stay to the left and follow the smaller pathway up behind the stadium seating at the Sea Lion Pool. Check conifers and flowering trees here, especially for Pine Warbler and Cape May Warbler. This path will bring you out at the entrance to the Children’s Zoo.

The Children’s Zoo has densely planted conifers, flowering trees and flowing water features … and can be a superb birding location. The Black Bear exhibit in particular attracts many birds, and some species tend to linger here in late fall/winter.

After walking through the Children’s Zoo, exit via the main gate. From here you can check the Rock Garden to the north of the entrance (directly east of the fountain). The outside edge of the Black Bear exhibit, east of Stockton at Dickens, is also worth checking carefully.


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Ryerson / Daniel Wright Woods

These two forest preserves make up the largest tract of mature lowland forest in Lake County and are major birding locations along the Des Plaines River corridor. As such they are two of the best locations for Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Broad-winged Hawk in the area. This area is also a great location for Worm-eating, Mourning, Connecticut, Black-throated Blue, Hooded, and Canada Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Summer Tanager, and both species of cuckoo during migration. They are great spots to visit during the breeding season and spring migration especially.


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Mill Creek/County Line Road

Slowly driving this road in the early morning in late May or June can result in a bonanza of southern Illinois specialty warblers, especially Worm-eating Warbler. The north-facing slopes in the area indicated by the pin on the map is very reliable for this species.

Other species found along the 5-mile wooded stretch include Pine Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher, Summer Tanager, Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak, Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk and Loggerhead Shrike in appropriate habitat.


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Wildcat Bluff – Little Black Slough

From the Wildcat Bluff parking area, you can access the same network of trails that leads to Boss Island and Heron Pond from Michael Wolf Memorial Wetland. The trail to the west goes steeply down the bluff to the Cache River, where there is a ford consisting of concrete stepping stones that lead across to Boss Island. The woods here are home to most of the southern Illinois breeding specialties, including Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Red-shouldered Hawk, Barred Owl, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Parula, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush. The cane breaks along the Cache River have traditionally been breeding grounds for Swainson’s Warbler.  Though this species has been confirmed here in recent years, there is a lot of habitat to deal with. The terrain is very rough and wet, the mosquitos, ticks and chiggers overwhelming, and Cottonmouth is a common and dangerous snake in the wet areas. Timber Rattlesnake is found up on the wooded bluffs. Use common sense if hiking the trail across the river.

The trail to the east goes a short distance to an overlook from near the top of the bluff. This can be an excellent spot to watch for soaring birds of prey, including Red-shouldered Hawk, Black Vulture and especially Mississippi Kite. The kites often fly at or below the observer’s eye-level and sometimes quite close, offering unprecedented views of this aerialist in Illinois. Soaring Anhinga have been seen from here also.


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Michael Wolf Memorial Wetland – Little Black Slough

Continue to the parking area at the end of Sunflower Lane (“Gate Across Road”). The three small ponds to the west of the parking lot are the best place to look for Anhinga in Illinois, especially the west-most pond. Anhingas have bred in an inaccessible portion of  Little Black Slough for several years, but seem to like to feed in these ponds. When feeding among the dead timber they can be very difficult to see. Other species found breeding in the scrubby habitat around the ponds include Black Vulture, Mississippi Kite, Summer Tanager, Orchard Oriole, Prairie Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak and Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

The long trail that goes north from the parking lot will take you all the way to Heron Pond, or Little Black Slough … or for the adventurous, Boss Island. Getting to Boss Island required crossing a shallow ford. Birds that can be found along the trails Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Yellow-crowned night Heron Red-shouldered Hawk, Barred Owl, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Parula, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush. The cane breaks along the Cache River have traditionally been breeding grounds for Swainson’s Warbler.  Though this species has been confirmed here in recent years, there is a lot of habitat to deal with.


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Cap Sauers Holding Forest Preserve

Cap Sauers Holding is one of the larger wooded areas in the Palos Hills forest preserves of southwest Cook County.  It is bordered by State Route 83 to the north, 104th Ave. in the east, McCarthy and Ford Roads to the south and private land to the west.  It is primarily a hardwood forest, sometimes savannah forest in character (open) and has areas of more open scrub.  It is crossed by several trails including the Green Trail that runs more or less east-west along its south border along Ford Road, where it is easily accessed.

The Green Trail gives access to two other trails: the Blue Trail that runs almost directly north from Ford Rd. to Route 83, and the Yellow Trail that makes a loop on the east side of the preserve and connects with Swallow Cliff FP on the south and Teasons Woods on the north (across 104th Ave.).  I usually park along Ford Road to access the trails but you can also park at Teasons Woods or Horsetail Lake FP near where the Yellow Trail crosses to Swallow Cliff.  Right along Ford Road listen for Summer Tanagers that have been found here the last few years.  Near where Ford Road makes a curve to the southeast (west of the caretaker’s house and Bergman Slough) the Green Trail is close to the road.  Go right on the trail.  You will first come to the Blue Trail.  Along this trail you can get Blue-winged Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow Throated Vireo and Scarlet Tanager.  If you continue on the Green Trail the trail curves south bringing you close to the road across from Bergman Slough.  Red-headed Woodpeckers and a Yellow-throated Vireo have nested in this area for many years.

The Green Trail then heads northeast towards the Yellow Trail.  Eastern Towhee, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager and Blue-winged Warblers can be found along this stretch and occasionally a Hooded Warbler or two.  A stretch of scrub just before the Yellow Trail can have White-eyed Vireo, Chestnut-sided Warblers, Blue-winged Warbler and Veery.  The Green Trail meets the Yellow Trail in the apex of its loop.  A small creek cuts across this loop and there are bridges over the creek a short distance from the trail intersection both to the left and right.  The area between these bridges has held Hooded and Kentucky Warblers and a Louisiana Waterthrush has been found near the two bridges for several years.  Taking the Yellow Trail north (left) takes you through more Hooded Warbler territory and those of other forest birds.  Going right (south and east) towards Swallow Cliff is good for more Hooded Warblers, Veery, Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanagers.

Cap Sauers is one of the better areas in Cook County for Saw-whet, Eastern Screech, Great Horned and Barred Owls.  Pileated Woodpeckers have been observed or heard on the west (Green Trail) and north sides.  For Eastern Whip-poor-will, park on Ford Road after dark in Spring and early summer and walk east/right along the trail for ~100-200 yards and listen.


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Forest Preserve Map, Region 7

Green Oaks Field Station

The premier location for breeding landbirds in Knox County, and an excellent birding location in general, is the Green Oaks Field Station.  The Field Station is owned and managed by Knox College as an area for research, conservation, education and recreation, and is generally open only to members of the Knox community (students, alumni, staff and faculty) and their accompanied guests.  Birders who would like to visit the site can contact Jim Mountjoy (jmountjoy@knox.edu) who would be happy to escort interested parties to Green Oaks, time permitting.

Green Oaks is over 700 acres in extent, most of which is forested (some of it mature growth with many centuries-old Eastern White Oaks).  There are also restored prairies, a strip mine lake, and several smaller ponds.  The entrance to the site is a gate on the east side of County Road 1800E, about 4.5 miles south of the town of Victoria.

The best areas for breeding birds are usually the mature forests and deep ravines, which are accessed by several trails.  The South Creek Trail and Locust Trail connect to form a loop of approximately two miles.  Along this route Acadian Flycatchers, Ovenbirds and Kentucky Warblers are usually easily found in season.  Pileated Woodpeckers and Red-shouldered Hawks are also regular, if somewhat less reliable.  Louisiana Waterthrushes and Northern Parulas are regular breeders, in small numbers.  Worm-eating and Cerulean Warblers have also bred here, although they may not be present every year.

The Little John Nature Trail is another area that may produce Louisiana Waterthrushes or Red-shouldered Hawks.  The edges of woodland and roadsides may be concentrate migrant songbirds in season.  The restored prairies have supported breeding Henslow’s Sparrows in some seasons.  Rarities observed at Green Oaks include Golden Eagle, Yellow Rail, Barn Owl and Bewick’s Wren.

Several other good birding areas are located in the area, including Snake Den Road to the south, the Oak Run/Spoon Lake area to the west, and the open country and strip mine lakes of the countryside north of Victoria.


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Swallow Cliff Woods North

Pileated Woodpecker and Louisiana Waterthrush have bred in the woods along the Sag Valley Trail, where it runs west, from the southwest corner of the parking lot.  The first ravine on the left has been good for the waterthrush, and the woodpecker bred here in 2009 … but there is good habitat all along this stretch of trail.


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Mississippi Palisades State Park

Mississippi Palisades is well known for its concentration of breeding forest birds, especially warblers. At other seasons, almost anywhere in or around the park can be great birding, this entry is concerned with the breeding species that can be found primarily May–August. Continue reading Mississippi Palisades State Park