A group of 26 people, many wearing hats and binoculars, pose for a group photo. — Photo by Aerin Tedesco.

words by Robyn Detterline

June 17, 2023

On Saturday, June 17, co-leaders Emily Tallo, Stephanie Beilke, Aerin Tedesco, and I showed 24 birders the sights and sounds of Humboldt Park on a bird walk co-organized with Feminist Bird Club Chicago. Our field trip could not have happened on a more perfect day, with sunny skies and comfortably warm temps. Our journey began with a “little sit” at the boathouse, where we looked over the big lagoon and took in the sights and sounds of many of the park’s breeding birds, including Common Grackles, Canada Geese, and Mallards. We celebrated the reunion of a lonely Wood Duckling with his family, and rooted for the success of a diving Caspian Tern.

An Eastern Kingbird, a large, dark gray flycatcher with a white tail tip, perches on a pole in a lagoon. The surface of the lagoon is covered with lily pads and flowers. — Eastern Kingbird. Photo by Aerin Tedesco.

From the boathouse we walked around the lagoon, escaping the swoops of Red-winged Blackbirds and enjoying the melodies of Song Sparrows and Warbling Vireos. Majestic Eastern Kingbirds dotted the landscape below while Chimney Swifts twittered above. Seeing a Brown Thrasher at Humboldt Park in June, as we did on this walk, is extra special, as this species has not been breeding here for a decade. Welcome back!

The biggest surprise of the day came on the north end of the lagoon, where a confusing song from high in the trees put the co-leaders on alert. Stephanie’s keen eyes spotted a late warbler in the canopy, and while difficult to see, his yellow undertail gave away the identity of this Nashville Warbler, who was singing only one part of his usual two-part song. This appears to be the latest sighting of a Nashville Warbler in the Chicago area this spring, and the latest spring sighting ever for Humboldt Park!

6 Barn Swallow chicks, small birds with gray heads, orange breasts, and big yellow mouths, sit crammed in a clay nest under an iron bridge girder. — Barn Swallows. Photo by Alicia Obando.

Of course the highlight of a Humboldt Park bird walk in June is always the nesting Barn Swallows under the Humboldt Drive bridge. Close-up views of a nest stuffed with grumpy-looking babies delighted all, as did the quick change in the babies’ demeanor when an adult flew in with a tasty treat.

By the end of the morning the group had spotted 38 species. Other highlights included several raptor species, including Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, and a high-soaring Broad-winged Hawk. In all it was a successful late spring day for birds and birders alike.

Field Trip Report: Humboldt Park