Sand Pond is right at the west entrance to the North Unit and just south of the Hawkwatch. The pond itself is surrounded by wetland areas and some shrubland. The gated road can be walked to the lake or one can walk the trail around the pond. This area can be excellent both for migrants and for uncommon breeders. This is probably the most reliable spot in Lake County for Yellow-breasted Chat, sometimes more than one pair. Other birds recorded here include Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, Carolina Wren, Cerulean Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-throated Loon (end of Sand Pond Rd), Prairie Warbler, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe, Alder Flycatcher. This is also the best spot in Lake County for Orchard Oriole. I often see upwards of 5-8 different birds here. Also a good spot for Eastern Bluebird.
Tag Archives: Orchard Oriole
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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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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John Duffy Grassland
John Duffy Grassland is the part of the John Duffy Forest Preserve south of 131st Street and bordered by Will-Cook Road on the east, Bell Road on the west and private property on the south. The Red (bridal) trail (download trail map) passes north-south through the middle of the preserve, then heads east along the south edge. There is a pull-over parking spot on each side of 131st St. where the trail crosses the road but do not block the trail. There is also a small pull-over parking spot on Will-Cook Rd. on the east side across the entrance to Tampier Lake FP. On 131st St. to the west of the trail crossing is a parking lot for the bridal trail. The Forest Preserve District is often slow about opening up the parking lot in the morning. The preserve consists of larger patches of prairie with several small patches of woodland.
Birds: Look and listen for Dickcissels, Eastern Meadowlark and Eastern Bluebirds in the field south of the parking lot. A few years ago Henslow’s Sparrows also nested here but disappeared. However, with the controlled burns at Bergman Slough Field they may return as they have to other places in this preserve. A mowed trail leads from the parking lot to the Red Trail to the east. Northeast of the intersection with the Red Trail is a small pond with dead trees. A number of species nest or visit here. Nesters include Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Warbling Vireo, Wood Duck and occasionally Red-headed Woodpecker. In the field stretching east are often Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel and Savannah Sparrow. Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo and Eastern Towhee can be found in the woodlots here and throughout the preserve. At the gap in the hedge to the east you can find nesting Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird (all found throughout the preserve, as well) and, sometimes, Eastern Bluebird. The grasslands on the eastern half of the preserve are the best for Henslow’s, Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows and Bobolink. On rare occasions there has been a Black-billed Cuckoo in the woodlot to the north. Red-tailed Hawks nest somewhere in this area. The woods on the south side hold Red-bellied and Hairy Woodpeckers. In 2012 there was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the southern gap in the hedge. Follow the Red Trail west to where it curves back north. Along the south end of the north-south leg of the trail there is usually a White-eyed Vireo; in 2012 there were 2 on territory here. There is usually a Blue-winged Warbler along here, as well. Cooper’s Hawks have nested in the woodlot on the east side of the trail. 26 June 2010 there was a Prairie Warbler heard singing distantly from the gap between woodlots on the east side of the trail; this was likely a post breeding dispersal but it may be a species to listen for in the next decade.
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John Duffy Forest Preserve
There are pull-over parking spaces along 123rd St./McCarthy Rd. on the north and 131st St. on the south. North side: take the trail from the parking space south; you will come into the open where this trail intersects the main loop trail. A trail ahead leads down to McGinty Slough, which can be good for dabbling ducks in season, especially American Wigeon, and some diving ducks. Ospreys nest on the opposite shore. Go left/east up the hill to view the east side of the slough, which is a flooded forest. Look for the Ospreys in the trees if you do not see them at the nest box. One or more Willow Flycatchers nest on this hill. A Blue-winged Warbler is usually found along the tree line to the east. In 2012 there were 2 or 3 Blue-wingeds on territory on the north side of the preserve. Occasionally a Yellow-breasted Chat or two is found along the main trail heading west on the north side.
West side: This is the most interesting part of the trail in the breeding season. Listen for Yellow-breasted Chats and White-eyed Vireos along the west side. Their territories shift somewhat from year to year but tend to be found most often along the south end of the trail where it takes a sharp turn to the east. Just before this (to the north) at coordinates 41.6596935, -87.9275939 there has been a singing Bell’s Vireo recorded in 2008-09 and 2011 (probably present in other years but just missed). South end: Along the power lines where the west branch of the trail emerges is the most reliable place to find Yellow-breasted Chats. It is usually a good location for Orchard Oriole, as well. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks nest somewhere along the power lines, as they are almost always spotted here. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are found in the trees east of the small pond to the south of the power lines. East side: The best breeding bird on this side are Wood Thrushes found in the more wooded north end. In spring this side can be quite good for warblers. I’ve had good luck finding Golden-winged Warblers along this side in the spring. Eastern Towhees and Field Sparrows are found throughout the preserve in the breeding season. Brown Thrashers are also common. Warning: the most common flying creature here in spring and summer is the mosquito!
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Ford Road/Bergman Slough/Bergman Slough Field
Ford Road is north of McCarthy Road between Will-Cook and Wolf Roads. There are pull-over parking spaces on the south side of Ford Road. To the south is Bergman Slough Field and to the north is Cap Sauer Forest Preserve. Near the east most parking space where the road starts to curve south a Summer Tanager has been on territory for the last few summers. In winter Northern Saw-whet, Eastern Screech, Barred and Great Horned Owls can all be found along Ford Road. Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows nest near the road in the field to the south (note: the Forest Preserve District has done controlled burns in the field recently, 2011-12, that has caused the Henslow’s to move to the near by John Duffy Grasslands). In most years Henslow’s can be found throughout the grassland. Farther back in the field (farther south) are breeding Dickcissels and Bobolinks and usually an Eastern meadowlark or two. In late summer Sedge Wrens often arrive for a second round of nesting from other locations unknown. In spring watch and listen for displaying American Woodcocks. On the west edge of the field on the wooded edge south of the houses there has been a Blue-winged Warbler or two for a couple of years.
Farther east along Ford Road is the caretaker’s house (sometime occupied, sometimes not). A Yellow-throated Vireo has been found in the woods across the road since 2008. Listen for the/a Summer Tanager here as well. An Orchard Oriole can usually be found behind the house. In the past a Blue-winged Warbler has been found by the house. On 8 June 2008, 9 June 2009 and 14 June 2012 a male Least Flycatcher has been recorded behind or east of this house, but breeding has not yet been confirmed. Red-headed Woodpeckers breed in the woods just to the northeast of the house in Cap Sauer. Ospreys breed at Bergman Slough south of the house. The area immediately around the lake is off limits from 15 April to August. Do not park at the small parking space east of the caretaker’s house, even if you are in the woods across the street looking for Red-headeds! The Ospreys can be viewed with a scope from the parking places mentioned at the beginning of this post.
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Florid Rd. scrub habitat
Along both sides of county road 820 N (Florid Rd.), between county road 815 E to the west and county road 890 E to the east. This is east of Highway 26, south of the town of Hennepin. Continue reading Florid Rd. scrub habitat