Smith’s Longspur: Second Try
Orland Grassland South, IL
Thursday 9 April 2020
43 °F
Upon hearing multiple reports of the longspurs back at Orland Grassland yesterday, I decided that I would go today and try to find them. In the meantime yesterday, there were a few birds around the Oak Park area including BROWN CREEPER:
And RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET:
I also had an unphotographed backyard YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Migrants are coming in! Today, upon my 6:30am arrival at Orland Grassland, I found this NORTHERN HARRIER (maybe the same one as two days ago) being harassed by a blackbird:
GREAT BLUE HERON:
Waterfowl were present in good numbers on the ponds including GREEN-WINGED TEAL:
RING-NECKED DUCKS:
BLUE-WINGED TEAL seemed to have moved in since two days ago:
NORTHERN SHOVELERS:
Sparrows were in slightly low numbers, but I did have VESPER, SWAMP, and this SAVANNAH:
And of course the omnipresent SONG:
Frustratingly, the Smith’s Longspur was yet again a no-show! Yikes — so many misses recently!
Bird-of-the-day to the Ring-necked Ducks with runner-up to the Northern Harrier an the unphotographed Vesper Sparrow. Hopefully, my birding luck will “tern” around with the continuing crescendo of migration!
Good birding,
Henry
World Life List: 1111 Species
Hi, I enjoy your blog, especially since I've been
exploring Thatcher Woods. About a week ago I came
across this dark brown bird perched near me at the edge of the soccer fields at about 10 feet
up with a distinctive gurgle, rusted-pulley sound which I took to be a Rusty Blackbird. Since then I occasionally
hear what I take to be this call, but at a further distance. In your comments you describe IDing this bird visually and am curious if you find the song distinctive and identifiable. Best Wishes!
by Susan Subak