The Oak Park Migration Bird Walkers convened for three consecutive Saturday walks at Columbus Park this fall. It wasn’t the original plan, but that’s how it turned out when we canceled our scheduled walk at Thatcher Woods because a festival event promising lots of noise and people was planned for September 27, the same day some of us were also participating in a “Big Sit” sponsored the Illinois Audubon Society. Here are some photos from the three Saturday walks and some from my participation in the Big Sit, beginning with September 20.

I teamed up with an engaging Gray Catbird early on September 20. It’s usually impossible to get one of these birds to show off its fancy orange undertail, but this bird was not shy at all.

Northern Flickers were beginning to emerge everywhere.

There were still some flycatchers around, like this Eastern Wood-Pewee.

There were a couple Wood Ducks lurking in the shadows.

We always see one Great Blue Heron somewhere.

Yellow-rumped Warblers were starting to show up that week, heralding the beginning of the end of fall warbler migration.

We found a Black-crowned Night-heron perched in a tree.

On September 27, we started to see more Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Gray-cheeked Thrushes have been numerous this fall.

Palm Warblers are another later fall warbler species, and we have been seeing some of them.

Another Yellow-rumped Warbler…

We got good looks at a Red-breasted Nuthatch and I couldn’t decide between the two shots.

This time the Great Blue Heron was first seen sunning in a “flasher” pose, and later scratching an itch.

American Goldfinches love this time of year when the flowers have gone to seed.

I found a Bay-breasted Warbler.

I also managed to capture a Blackpoll Warbler.

After the walk, I joined the Big Sit participants and got some nice looks at a male Common Yellowthroat. This is the same bird at the top of the post.

A Ruby Meadowhawk dragonfly came to visit.

Another Gray-cheeked Thrush…

This time we saw a few more Wood Ducks.

The last walk was on October 4. We started seeing Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Sparrows are starting to show up, like these juvenile White-crowned Sparrows.

As common as Yellow-rumped Warblers are, I am still glad to see them.

I found an Orange-crowned Warbler.

We got brief looks at White-throated Sparrows.

I am always up for a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

This might be the last Blackpoll Warbler I have seen this year.

We saw a young Cooper’s Hawk here and there.

I had brief views of a Tennessee Warbler in the leaves.

Here’s a couple more Yellow-rumped Warblers.

There were more birds, but this is a general overview. I am leaving the last word to the Great Blue Heron.

Oh one more thing – I should probably explain the “Big Sit” for those unfamiliar with the concept. Birders sign up to be in teams and pick a spot to sit and watch for birds over a 24-hour period. I think the teams were up to 5 people at any particular time. It’s another way to experience birdwatching. When I am out on a regular walk, I sometimes stop briefly to do what I guess you could call it a “Tiny Sit” – and let the birds come to me instead of trying to find them. It’s very peaceful, and often quite rewarding.