It’s been a long slog of quiet walks at the Chicago Portage. But as the days get longer and in some cases, a little warmer, what little bird activity there is, is starting to shape up looking forward to spring. Here’s a little chronological overview of a week and a half’s worth of sightings.
On February 8, it was mostly Mallards. At least there was sunshine and open water,
On February 10, the only bird of note was a distant American Kestrel. I was otherwise distracted by some moss.
The 13th was a day of beautiful sunshine, but only one photo of a Downy Woodpecker.
The 16th didn’t look too promising with the cloud cover and ice on the water.
Some fungus caught my eye.
A bright red male Northern Cardinal made up for some of the gloom.
Then I heard a White-throated Sparrow talking. I stopped to answer its little wispy contact call, something I have found they often respond to. Eventually one emerged to forage by the trail.
Then as I stood there carrying on the conversation, if you will, one White-throated Sparrow, and then another, came to perch in front of me. We hung out for quite a while.
As I continued along the trail, I saw a female Northern Cardinal.
And then there was a Downy Woodpecker…
After the Downy, I came across twenty or more American Tree Sparrows foraging in the beaten-down vegetation. They blended in and were distant, which made it hard to crop even these few photos closely.
I went back on the morning of February 18, and encountered a large flock of Mourning Doves right off the parking lot. I counted 22. I managed to slowly continue on the trail without flushing them, somehow having arrived early before any other humans.
Not much else showed up that day except a pair of Canada Geese landing to have a look around on the ice. I suspect they sought a nesting spot.
I have a bit more from the Portage from this past week, but this feels like enough for now. We are experiencing a few days of much warmer weather for February, and it’s very seductive if slightly disorienting. Then there’s the familiar absurdity of an extra day this month. Plus, things are heating up in my personal music scene as well with several commitments to honor.
Then I have 345 photos to go through from last Saturday when I attended the 22nd Annual Gull Frolic hosted by the Illinois Ornithological Society. I hope to be back with processed photos soon.
Well, I always welcome your posts. You have captured the quiet winter birding with your comments and photos. The scarcity of birds both in species and numbers is very apparent. Yet, you keep us focused on the value and joy of taking a walk at Portage. The sustained warm weather has allowed for very pleasant winter walks, even if the birding is rather limited. Migration is coming.
And I always welcome your comments, Bob. The warmer weather has been very encouraging, and it’s hard to tell from my photos how much the Red-winged Blackbirds have been singing already. Looks like we will dip back into winter for a couple days and come back out warmer.
Good to see fungus among the birds. I look forward to seeing your gull frolic shots.
From what I understand, fungus holds everything together. My gull identification skills are sadly lacking but I will try to get through the photos.