One thing about the fountains at Lake Shore East Park – they provide an irresistible temptation to bathe for the birds. At least for the Common Grackles that have been hanging out there in numbers.
The first video is from September 4 and the second one is from yesterday, September 18, exactly two weeks later. On the 4th a House Sparrow joined in but I didn’t manage to get him in the video. Yesterday a Gray-Cheeked Thrush responded to the temptation of flowing water.
Gray-Cheeked Thrush
At first I thought this was a Swainson’s Thrush but on closer review it turned out to be Gray-Cheeked which is much more unusual.
Apologies for the construction noise accompanying the second video! They’re building another high-rise apartment building across from the park.
A few more bathing stills…
The last is with the House Sparrow before I started the video recording.
Come on in, the water’s fine!