Recurvirostra americana!
Orland Park, IL
Saturday 25 April 2020
41 °F
Although the weather today was absolutely miserable to say the least, I unbelievably actually got some decent birds today. It started with a flurry of activity in my backyard this morning — an AMERICAN GOLDFINCH can always brighten up a dreary morning:
As can the crown of a male RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET:
Then, later today, I saw on the Cook County RBA (Rare Bird Alert) that six American Avocets were seen at Centennial Park in Orland Park, IL — just forty-five minutes away! So, it was obvious that I needed to see “Recurvirostra americana” today because any day with Recurvirostra is better than one without! When I arrived to the lake mid-afternoon, RING-BILLED GULLS and CASPIAN TERNS were very obvious:
And I was pleasantly surprised to also find a shorter and less-common, migrant FORSTER’S TERN among the Caspian! Too cool!
Of course, the “big ticket” bird today can’t be left out — now you can see why the AMERICAN AVOCET’S Latin name includes “Recurvirostra:” amazingly upward-curved bills!!! What incredible birds!!!
An AMERICAN KESTREL patrolled nearby:
And despite the awful weather, I had a number of other first-year birds today including SPOTTED SANDPIPER:
And BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER:
A BALD EAGLE flew by at one point, scaring everything into flight which was my cue to go back to the car as I was absolutely freezing in the dreadfully cold rain.
Still, despite the weather, yet another amaaazing day with migrant shorebirds! Bird-of-the-day to the American Avocets with runner-up to the Forster’s Tern. Stay tuned: tomorrow will be much more beautiful, so my family and I will head to McClaughry Springs Forest Preserve (also down in this Palos/Orland area) for some picnicking and birding. Should be fun!
Good birding and stay safe,
Henry
World Life List: 1114 Species
