Tag Archives: Red-tailed Hawk

Winnebago County

Klehm Arboretum

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Klehm Arboretum is in south Rockford, about 2 miles north of US 20 (bypass). Exit US 20 (bypass) at IL 2 (Main Street) and go north on IL 2. The entry for Klehm Arboretum is at Clifton Avenue at the bottom of a long hill. Turn left on to Clifton and then another left into the Arboretum.  Admission is $4 for adults. The arboretum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but is usually closed during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Check the Arboretum website for closure information and winter hours. The visitor center has feeders. Check them when you pay your admission. The Arboretum honors memberships from other botanical gardens if they are a member of the participating agency group.

The abundance of berries and winter food, plus the mixture of deciduous and coniferous vegetation, plus a lot of thickets, make Klehm a winter hotspot for birding. The main attraction is the flocks of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins, which sometimes include a Bohemian Waxwing. Winter finches also frequent Klehm, and, during invasion years, both species of crossbills can be found there. In the winter of 2012-2013, a Hoary Redpoll was in a flock of 110 Common Redpolls, and, at the same time,  a Gray Catbird was in a thicket below the redpolls. Birders have also found Eastern Bluebirds (frequent in winter), Brown Thrasher, and, for two years in a row, a Townsend’s Solitaire (presumably the same bird) was feeding on juniper berries.

Raptors like to haunt Klehm and hunt the waxwings and robins. Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks are most common. Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles (the Rock River is less than ¼ mile away) often fly over.

by Dan Williams

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

Northerly Island

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Northerly Island, or what used to be Meigs Field, is one of the more recent bird attractions in Chicago. The ex-airport has now been transformed into grassland that is ripe for holding migrants. One should note that when visiting, parking costs a few dollars, but is usually worth it as the birding is usually fantastic.

Nelson’s and LeConte’s Sparrows can be found here with a bit of work, but seem to be a little more common and easy to find than at Montrose. In the winter, Northerly is transformed into a fantastic location for resident winter birds, such as Northern Shrikes, which will sometimes winter on the island. Northerly sits on the lake as well, which means ducks and other water birds can easily be found. Three sides of the “island” are covered in water, so duck numbers are usually high when there is open water. This past winter, Thayer’s, Glaucous, and Iceland Gulls all were found in the harbor, along with a long staying Long-tailed Duck. All three Scoters can also be found here usually near the harbor mouth on the south-west side.

There also usually is a large number of wintering raptors on the island, with a few Rough-legged Hawks in good years, Red-tailed Hawks, and breeding American Kestrels. In migration, Short-eared Owls can be found along with Northern Harriers. Passerine migration is also good here, with good numbers of grassland species. Henslow’s Sparrows can be found, as well as Sedge and Marsh Wrens.

As with Montrose Point, Northerly is a small magnet for rare and uncommon birds. In past years, Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrow, and Harlequin Duck have been found. Recently, Sam Burckhardt found a Red-throated Loon, a hard bird to see close to shore, across from Northerly Island near the Shedd Aquarium. The bird stayed for at least 2-3 more weeks, and was later found swimming in the harbor. Northerly is a fantastic mix of habitats, as there is a mix of both grasslands and open water.

Also, if visiting Northerly Island, one should consider visiting the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium. They are great attractions, and are great destinations for tourists.


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Lake County

Almond Marsh

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Located in Northern Lake County, Almond Marsh is an active heron colony and is a part of the Lake County Forest Preserve District. In spring and summer, roosting birds include Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, and the only reliable spot to find Black-crowned Night Heron in Lake County throughout the summer months.   Post-breeding wanderers are also a highlight and something to look for at Almond Marsh in season.  Records have included Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron and Neotropic Cormorant.

Besides the rookery, the main attraction is the open water.  During migration, one can find Horned Grebe, American Black Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck.  Breeding waterfowl seen here include Pied-billed Grebe, Wood Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal and Hooded Merganser.   Other marsh breeders include Green Heron, Sora, and Virginia Rail.  By the entrance gate there can be Woodcocks “peenting” in early spring.   In past years, this has been a reliable spot for Yellow-headed Blackbird and Red-headed Woodpecker.  Common Gallinule is also a sporadic breeder.  Both Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk have bred on the preserve, as well as Great Horned Owls.

The oaks surrounding the marsh are a good place to look for spring migrants as they begin to bud, and most regular migrants have been seen.


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Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserves

John Duffy Grassland

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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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Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserves

John Duffy Forest Preserve

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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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