Category Archives: Summer Bird Reports

June 1 – August 31, inclusive

Semipalmated Sandpiper, June 13, 2016

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper (click to see the larger version)

I went over to Montrose Beach this morning, June 13, to look for lingering shorebirds and found this Semipalmated Sandpiper. Here we are 2 weeks into June and we’re still getting migrating shorebirds. What’s even more amazing is that the first southbound shorebirds will start showing up within a couple weeks.

Last of the last?

Addendum

I had 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers at Montrose on June 14, the last migrant shorebirds I had for the spring of 2016.

Shorebirds (Still), June 10, 2016

Willet

Willet (click to see the larger version)

Shorebirds are still moving through northern Illinois. This morning, June 10, I had a Willet, a Dunlin, 8 Semipalmated Sandpipers, a Least Sandpiper, a White-rumped Sandpiper, and 3 Semipalmated Plovers in the fluddle at Montrose Beach in Chicago. The Chicago Park District is draining the fluddle so it may not be around much longer.

When it comes to migration the fat lady never sings.

Shorebirds, June 1, 2016

White-rumped and Semipalmated Sandpipers

White-rumped and Semipalmated Sandpipers (click to see the larger version)

I had a nice collection of shorebirds at Montrose Beach this afternoon, June 1, including 3 White-rumped Sandpipers, 4 Semipalmated Sandpipers, a Dunlin, and 2 Semipalmated Plovers. All of these birds were in the fluddle, just west of the beach house.

Just because it’s June doesn’t mean migration has stopped.

Willets, August 27, 2014

Willet

Willet (click to see the larger version)

I went over to Montrose this evening to check the beach for large shorebirds. No Whimbrel or Hudsonian Godwits but there were 3 juvenile Willets inside the protected area. There were also a few shorebirds in the fluddle just to the west of the protected area, including a bunch of Semipalmated Sandpipers, a few Least Sandpipers, a lone Pectoral Sandpiper and a couple or 3 Semipalmated Plovers.

Baird’s Sandpiper, August 1, 2014

Baird's Sandpiper

Baird’s Sandpiper. Photo by Clara Coen (click to see the larger version)

An adult Baird’s Sandpiper was inside the protected area at the east end of Montrose Beach this morning, August 1. The bird was seen yesterday too. Adult Baird’s Sandpipers are fairly unusual at Montrose; most of the Baird’s we see are juveniles. Also seen inside the protected area this a.m. were one each of Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers.