Chicago's Lincoln Park

When I planned this months trip to Chicago for work I had hoped to get out late enough in April for some early warblers (Palm, Pine, etc), as well as Vireos, and especially spring sparrows (LeConte's and Henslow's). But, I had to make the trip out a week earlier then planned, and only stayed 4 nights, as opposed to the 7 last month. I decided not to bring my binocs, and figured that at best I might stroll over to the actual Lincoln Park on the lakefront a couple mornings. Unfortunately, it was windy as hell every morning keeping me from doing so. It was kind of a downer reading the posts on IBET about what was being seen at Montrose and elsewhere nearby, but in the end the only one to blame is myself... ugh.

Last month, like this month, I just kept my ears open and eyes to the sky in hopes of picking up some year birds, and some of the midwestern species we don't see in Utah. On Monday, I heard several Cardinals singing in the vicinity of my office, and had flyover TV as well as crows, and all the other regular city going species. Today, however seemed to bring a new wave of birds. In the morning a flock of Robins were working the corner near work, and the Cardinals were out in force, as I heard 4 or 5 before the end of the day. While working with the window open I heard a song that I recognized and after listening to it 3 or 4 times I realized it was a Tufted Titmouse, a species I hadn't seen in well over a year. At lunch out on the street a Brown Creeper came flying into the tree just outside the door and started wheezing heavily from the tree tops. And finally, during an afternoon stroll to the store, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker flew off the trunk of a tree as I passed.

Sadly I will miss the brunt of warbler and songbird migration, but when I am back at the end of May I will probably be able to take a weekend and go after a couple lifers I am still missing from the area (I guess we'll see what happens). Oh well, not a bad week, for not having left the city to look for birds!