A group of 8 people standing on a walkway between a lagoon and green bushes peer through binoculars.

words and photos by Robyn Detterline

May 13, 2023

COS’s May field trip to Humboldt Park coincided with Global Big Day and World Migratory Bird Day. Sixteen birders were up to the challenge of eking every species from each tree and shrub of the park’s nooks and crannies, ending the morning with a satisfying 70 species, including 7 sparrow species and 19 warbler species.

The group took 2.5 hours to trek around the main lagoon, a journey that on an average day might take half that time. The birds were plentiful this morning, transforming our bird walk into a bird stand as we spent long, leisurely moments watching one spot as the birds slowly popped into view one-by-one. The journey started delightfully with one shady patch entrancing the group with Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher, Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager, among others. The journey could have ended then with nary a traveler upset, but we still had the entire lagoon to explore.

Other highlights included a tree of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a dazzling Indigo Bunting. The Red-winged Blackbirds were there to do two things: kick some ass and eat some bugs. And it looked like they were almost out of bugs. The party not only achieved the trifecta of herons, but it was also a 4-Black-crowned Night-Heron sort of day, an unusual feat at Humboldt Park. Besides the herons, Grackle Island provided the real treasure of our journey--a fleeting glimpse of a striking Prothonotary Warbler.

A pigeon sits on a small nest under a bridge. Another pigeon perches on a beam beside her. — Rock Pigeon

By this time the official walk ended and most of the birders had their fill, but in the spirit of Global Big day a few of the group trekked on to explore the remaining half of the park. Part 2 of the journey began by spying a resourceful pigeon nesting in one of last year’s barn swallow nests. She made for a peculiar sight, and her mate perched beside seemed ready to confront any who laughed. Additional birds found on this leg of the journey included Killdeer, Blue-headed Vireo, Veery, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Bay-breasted Warbler. The field trip ended with a pair of Red-tailed Hawks, conspicuously absent for the previous four-and-a-half hours, but apparently for good reason as they put the finishing touches on their nest.

There was more to explore, but grumbling bellies protested, and the party left, knowing Humboldt Park and the birdlife it harbors would be there for us to admire another day.

Field Trip Report: Humboldt Park