Field Trip Report: Indian Ridge
Photo by Jake Vinsel.
word by Jake Vinsel
March 11, 2023
The March 11 COS field trip to Indian Ridge Marsh was an enjoyable outing with great enthusiasm from the group of 14 birders led by Claire Halpin and Jake Vinsel. The targets on this trip were early migrating songbirds, migrating waterfowl, and ideally a few raptors. For many birders, this was the first trip to Indian Ridge Marsh, and for a few, it was their first trip to the larger Calumet area.
The group met at 7 a.m. After introductions, the group discussed the amazing history of the site— including its past as a slag dumping site from nearby steel mills, the Illinois EPA’s decision to classify the Lake Calumet Cluster as a Superfund site, the 2011–2014 Army Corps of Engineers remediation project, and the subsequent efforts of the Chicago Park District to restore Indian Ridge Marsh to a quality wetland.
The Park District’s efforts were immediately visible as the group moved slowly south from the east 122nd street parking lot. A controlled burn had just been completed, and hundreds of tiny flags marked the location of native plants. There was also a newly installed wooden walkway over an area that is often water-logged.
The birds were numerous from the get-go, with flocks of Dark-eyed Juncos, American Tree Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, and European Starlings foraging. A few cardinals, American Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers, and American Robins were observed as the group worked south towards the Torrence Avenue Bridge and SEPA Station #1. There, the leaders asked the group to keep an eye out for Peregrine Falcons on the bridge, and within moments Claire spotted one perched at the top of the bridge! Someone from the group then saw a second Peregrine perched nearby. All in the group got eyes on the birds just as they started to mate. A very exciting moment for all!
Peregrine Falcons. Photo by Connor Sullivan.
The group stopped at the SEPA station, and Claire shared a bit of its history before moving through the elevated pools and waterfalls. There the group noted a good number of Gadwall, gulls, and other waterfowl in the Calumet River. The group moved back towards the parking area and then covered the north side of the park, picking up Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, Common Merganser, and American Coot, as well as Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrel, and great views of singing Fox Sparrows.
Fox Sparrow. Photo by Connor Sullivan.
Highlights included the mating Peregrine Falcons, Fox Sparrows, but also the great numbers of Song Sparrows, juncos, tree sparrows, and blackbirds. The group observed 27 species in total. Overall, it was a beautiful walk in good company.