Tag Archives: Yellow-throated Vireo

Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserves

McClaughry Springs Forest Preserve

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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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Putnam County

Clear Creek / Taylor Roads

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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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Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserves

Cap Sauers Holding Forest Preserve

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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

Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserves

Ford Road/Bergman Slough/Bergman Slough Field

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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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Carroll County

Mississippi Palisades State Park

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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 →