Chris and Geoff Williamson led a nature walk in Chicago's Burnham Park on 24 August 2013.
When all was said an done, we had observed 33 species of birds, two species of mammals (aside from human beings and domestic dogs), 10 butterfly species, and one dragonfly species. Lists of all these creatures along with the number observed are provided at the end of this report.
The prairie vegetation at McCormick Place Sanctuary had grown tall, but we were past the peak of the bloom of many of the flowers.
While we were birding at the McCormick Place Sanctuary, a variety of birds came in to perch at the top of one special tree. They included this American Goldfinch ...
... this Black-and-white Warbler ...
... several Cedar Waxwings including this one ...
... a pair of Indigo Buntings (here is the male) ....
... this Warbling Vireo...
... and also the Olive-sided Flycatcher. All favoring the one tree.
This of course necessitated taking photographs.
In the vicinity of the "water feature" at the McCormick Place Sanctuary, we found this Blackburnian Warbler.
Nearby was this Gray Catbird, here giving us a little peek at the rusty undertail coverts.
Butterflies at McCormick place including this Monarch ...
... as well as this Red Admiral.
Here Geoff is reviewing fieldmarks of the birds the group has been observing.
McCormick Place always seems to host Eastern Kingbirds in season, and today was no exception.
The mammal life at McCormick Place consisted of one Eastern Cottontail ...
... one Eastern Gray Squirrel ...
... and this recently expired Meadow Vole.
The Burnham Park Sanctuary hosted a female Baltimore Oriole that played hide-and-seek up in the branches.
A little lower, we spotted an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
Here is the group at Burnham Sanctuary, enjoying the very pleasant weather.
Now for the lists....
List of birds species at McCormick Sanctuary, with number observed.
Canada Goose 2
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Ring-billed Gull 37
Herring Gull 1
Chimney Swift 9
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 4
Warbling Vireo 2
American Crow 12
Barn Swallow 35
Black-capped Chickadee 5
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 910
Cedar Waxwing 24
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Cape May Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
warbler sp. 3
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Indigo Bunting 5
Red-winged Blackbird 50
American Goldfinch 22
List of mammal species at McCormick Sanctuary, with number observed.
Eastern Gray Squirrel 1
Eastern Cottontail 1
List of butterfly species at McCormick Sanctuary, with number observed.
Cabbage White 33
Clouded Sulphur 9
Pearl Crescent 3
Red Admiral 1
Common Buckeye 1
Monarch 6
List of dragonfly species at McCormick Sanctuary, with number observed.
Common Green Darner 2
List of birds species at Burnham (47th St) Sanctuary, with number observed.
Ring-billed Gull 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 6
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Willow Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 11
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling 13
Cedar Waxwing 38
warbler sp. 1
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 19
House Sparrow 1
List of mammal species at Burnham (47th St) Sanctuary, with number observed.
Eastern Gray Squirrel 3
List of butterfly species at Burnham (47th St) Sanctuary, with number observed.
Black Swallowtail 1
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 2
Cabbage White 36
Spring Azure 3
Red-spotted Purple 3
Monarch 4
List of dragonfly species at Burnham (47th St) Sanctuary, with number observed.
Common Green Darner 7
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