White-winged Scoters
Baird’s Sandpiper (click to see the larger version)
I had a late juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper this morning, October 18. This is over a month past their peak time of occurance. I also had a first cycle Franklin’s Gull on the beach and 6 Lapland Longspurs in the dunes. Other landbirds seen include 2 Purple Finches, several Pine Siskins, and a few Orange-crowned Warblers, in addition to the usual mid October fare of kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, Winter Wrens, and White-throated Sparrows.
Common Nighthawk (click to see the larger version)
I had a late Common Nighthawk flying over the beach on the afternoon of October 10. This is about a month past the peak of fall migration for this species in northern Illinois and probably the latest I’ve had at Montrose.
Chimney Swifts (click to see the larger version)
Chimney Swifts started moving through the Chicago area in big numbers in late September, and as I write this in early October are still on the go. I captured this group as they swarmed over the point on their way south.
Whimbrel (click to see the larger version)
A juvenile Whimbrel was at Montrose Dunes this evening, September 24. The bird spent a couple hours in the dunes, mostly in the southeast corner. This is the latest Whimbrel I’ve seen at Montrose and possibly the latest I’ve seen in the Midwest. The peak for fall Whimbrel migration on the west side of Lake Michigan is around Labor Day.
Long-tailed Duck (click to see the larger version)
I walked around Montrose for a little while this morning, November 26. My best find was a female Long-tailed Duck in Lake Michigan near the tower at the southeast corner of the point. I’m guessing this is the same Long-tailed Duck that was seen at Loyola a couple of days ago.
Other birds seen at Montrose this a.m. include good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers, both on the water and migrating south, the continuing Ruddy Duck inside the fishing pier, a small loon that was probably a Red-throated, flyover American Pipit and Snow Bunting, and a lingering Fox Sparrow at the Magic Hedge.
I heard and then saw a Common Redpoll at Montrose this morning, November 21 near the south end of the Magic Hedge. This is my first Common Redpoll of the season, but not the first Common Redpoll OF the season at Montrose, since Al Stokie had one back in late October.
In other news, winter ducks have finally (and I guess this is a good thing) arrived at Montrose. I walked out onto the fishing pier and had decent numbers of Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, as well as a few Common Goldeneyes and Buffleheads. Also, a group of Hooded Mergansers, a Redhead, and a Ruddy Duck. I did not see the Red-necked Grebe in the harbor, just Horned Grebes.