Tag Archives: Summer Tanager

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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Sand Ridge State Forest

Sand Ridge is a large expanse (over 7,000 acres) of mixed oak woods, savanna and planted pines.  The habitats offer exceptional birding year-round.

Breeding species include Pileated Woodpecker, Broad-winged Hawk, Barred Owl, Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Orchard Oriole, White-eyed Vireo, Northern Mockingbird, Blue Grosbeak. Pine warbler has bred in the pines near the parking lot west of Cactus Drive and south of Co Rd 2500N (teal-blue marker, below). Along Co Rd 2500N west of the Fish Hatchery entrance, listen for Prairie Warbler. For many years, Sand Ridge had been reliable for Chuck-will’s-widow, but none have been found in recent years. Still, it is worth listening for if you are there on a spring or summer evening.

The Virginia pines near the intersection of Co Rd 2300N (Goofy Ridge Rd) and Co Rd 2300E often has Red Crossbills and White-winged Crossbills during migrations and winter. Evening Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin and Red-breasted Nuthatch have been found here also.

The Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery, north of Co Rd 2500N east of Cactus Drive (2600E) is a good place to check for herons and egrets.

At the intersection of Cactus Drive and 2300N is the campground. From here, Cactus Drive continues south and becomes Forest City Rd. Staying to the right takes you onto Bishop Road, which is a quiet, sandy road through woodland and savanna. Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Kentucky Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, and all of the expected species breed here. In winter, huge flocks of American Robins can be found here. Other wintering species include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrow.


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Clear Creek / Taylor Roads

This 8-mile driving loop can be excellent for forest and open-country species. Begin on Clear Creek Rd. (Co. Rd. 275/300N) east of Highway 26. The road follows Clear Creek and goes through some excellent forest habitat. In the first patch of woods breeding species include Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Tufted Titmouse and Barred Owl. Driving slowly with windows open listening (“trolling”) is the best way to bird this area.

Further along the habitat opens up a bit and often has Lark Sparrow, American Kestrel, Red-shouldered Hawk, Orchard Oriole, White-eyed Vireo, and Wild Turkey. Where the creek crosses or comes near the road at several points Yellow-throated Warblers can be found in the Sycamores. This area can also be very good during spring migration.

Co. Rd. 275N comes to a “T” intersection with Co. Rd. 1150E near a small bridge. This is a very good spot to listen for Yellow-throated Warbler and Northern Parula. Take 1150E south 1 mile to Taylor Rd. (190N). This road goes through various scrub and agricultural land, and goes through high-quality oak woodland as it nears Highway 26. Where the road starts to bend to the north has been a consistent location for Hooded Warbler. Blue-winged Warbler and Bell’s Vireo have also been seen along this road.


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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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IBSP North Unit- Sand Pond and Sand Pond Rd.

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.


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Siloam Springs State Park

Siloam Springs State Park is home to three highly sought-after species in Illinois: Worm-eating Warbler, Bewick’s Wren, and Chuck-will’s-widow, though Bewick’s Wren has not been present since 2014. Worm-eating Warbler can be found in almost any of the ravines found throughout the park, but can be very easily found at the parking lot indicated (Red Oak Trail) on the map. Also note that the county line goes north-south right through that parking lot, and walking east on the trail takes you immediately into Brown County.

Bewick’s Wrens once nested for several years in the vicinity of the Headquarters building, specifically around the equipment storage area, as indicated on the map. Being familiar with it’s song will greatly help locating it.

Other species found in the park include Barred Owl, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, Summer Tanager, Wood Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk.

Bewick’s Wren has also been found at the Benville Cemetery about 3 miles east of the park boundary, at the intersection of Co. Rd. 255E and Co. Rd. 175N. (also marked on the map).


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Chuck-will’s-widow can be found near the Buckhorn Unit parking lot, off County Rd 400 North.

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