White-winged Scoters
Willet (click to see the larger version)
A juvenile Willet was at the east end of Montrose Beach late this afternoon, August 9. For a variety of reasons this has been a slow summer for migrant shorebirds at Montrose, so seeing this bird was a nice surprise.
Merlin (click to see the larger version)
I had an early Merlin at Montrose this morning, August 3. It landed in a tree snag near the Magic Hedge and was immediately set upon by a group of irate Barn Swallows, which is probably why it flew off soon after. I didn’t see anything else of note today — we’re definitely in the summer birding doldrums. Even most of the swallows have left. Bring on the warblers.
eBird Checklist
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30958284
Purple Martins (click to see the larger version)
Migrant Purple Martins once gathered by the thousands in late summer and early fall at Montrose. It was quite a spectacle, reminiscent of a scene from Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. For unknown reasons the large numbers stopped using Montrose and the spectacle is a thing of the past. The Purple Martins we see anymore are mostly the local breeders. I photographed these birds at Montrose Harbor on August 1, 2016.
Black-crowned Night-Heron (click to see the larger version)
Two fresh juvenile Black-crowned Night-Herons were at Montrose this morning, July 22. Both birds were feeding in the inlet next to the fishing pier on the beach. Black-crowned Night-Herons breed at several locations in the Chicago area.
Willet (click to see the larger version)
Willets are on the move through the Chicago area. I had this adult inside the protected area on the beach this morning, July 13. The other bird in the photo is a Least Sandpiper.
eBird Checklist
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30672844
Barn, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows (click to see the larger version)
Large numbers of swallows of several species are using Montrose Dunes for feeding and resting. This happens every year in mid summer and lasts only a few weeks. The swallows like to perch on the rope that cordons off the protected areas of the Dunes. The majority are Barn, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged, but a few Bank and Cliff Swallows are also seen. Most are probably local nesting birds and include many fresh juveniles. For some reason Purple Martins don’t perch on the rope but they do use the Dunes for feeding.