A group of 10 people wearing warm coats, hats, and binoculars, take a selfie in front of a bare tree on the shore of a large pond. — photo by Edward Warden

words by Edward Warden

April 5, 2023

Ah, April weather. It wouldn’t be spring in Chicago without at least one atmospheric bait and switch. The morning and day were absolutely beautiful, but then around 4 p.m., the temperature began to tank and the wind picked up. By the time we convened for out 6 p.m. start time, the temperature had dropped nearly 20 degrees. Why were we out at this time? For an experimental twist on the traditional bird walk, our first ever after work bird walk. Sure, we all know that morning is technically the best time to look for birds, but that doesn’t mean the birds disappear in the afternoon/evening. And for those of us who like to sleep in, well, let’s just say you can still get birds even if you are not an early bird.

Two ducks swim in a bond. The male has a shaggy green head, long orange bill, white neck, and reddish breast. The female has a shaggy brown head, long orange bill, and reddish breast. — Red-breasted Mergansers. Photo by Jeff McGlade.

Even with the increasingly cold air nipping at our extremities, our eager group of 11 made its way around Lincoln Park’s North Pond. Early on we were greeted by several water birds including teal, Mallards, herons, and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers that came so close to shore, you could see them under the water! Another early highlight was a high abundance of sparrows, dominated by juncos, feasting on seeds in the newly planted prairie areas. It was all along this south western shoreline that we were greeted by numerous new species for the day including Tree Swallows, a Belted Kingfisher, an Eastern Phoebe, more than one Fox Sparrow, and a lone crow.

A Great Blue Heron, a large lue-gray heron with long gray legs and a long, thick orange bill, stands on a log in a pond. — Great Blue Heron. Photo by Jeff McGlade.

As we circled around the south end and proceeded north along the east side of the pond, activity seemed to slow as the sun finally passed fully behind the skyline. We re-greeted some of our earlier observed birds such as the Great Blue Heron that hadn’t moved this entire time. As we neared the end, our pace quickened assuming there wasn’t much more to see. It was at this point however that the bird we all quietly hoped for made its appearance. High above us, two Peregrine Falcons announced themselves with their characteristic raucous call. Swooping and diving and calling for no apparent reason other than for the heck of it, the two birds danced together, confident in their dominance of the sky and ultimately landed on the tallest building where they appeared to settle in for the night.

A Peregrine Falcon flies in silhouette against a cloudy evening sky. — Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Jeff McGlade.

Ready to end on a high note and get to warmer places, we all made a joyful and hasty departure to our respective homes with a tidy 27 species to show for our dedication.

Field Trip Report: North Pond