Montrose Shorebirding – Quality Over Quantity

American Golden-Plover

American Golden-Plover (click to see the larger version)

Thirty-eight species of shorebirds have been recorded at Montrose and of this 38 about 28 are regular and occur each year. We don’t get huge numbers however, usually no more than a few dozen individuals during the height of shorebird migration in May and August. What we lack in volume we more than make up for with great, close-up views. Look at the photo of the American Golden-Plover with this post. It’s from Montrose Beach and you can see how close the bird came to the photographer. It illustrates how tame and approachable these shorebirds can be. It’s also one reason why Montrose Beach is so popular with bird photographers. To see more Montrose shorebird pics on this blog, try a keyword search for “shorebirds”.

September Shorebirds

Red Knot

Red Knot (click to see the larger version)

August is the best month for shorebirds but most of the regular August shorebirds occur in September, especially the first half of the month. As of September 4, we’ve had Red Knot, Baird’s Sandpipers, and an American Golden-Plover, plus several of the more common species. Though none have been reported, September is also good for White-rumped Sandpipers, so keep checking the beach this month.

Shorebirding Tip: Don’t forget to check the fishing pier while you’re at the beach. Shorebirds will use the pier for feeding and resting.

Elderberry Delight, Late August

Cape May Warbler and Elderberry fruit

Cape May Warbler and Elderberry fruit (click to see the larger version)

It’s late August and Elderberry fruit are ripening. A variety of birds eat the juicy berries, including several warblers, vireos, thrushes, and House Finches. To find the berries and the birds, look for clusters of small, purplish fruit on shrub-like plants. The photo accompanying this post shows what the berries look like. The stand of Elderberry at the edge of the woods at the far southeast corner of the Point has been excellent for birds this August.

Chicago Air and Water Show, August 20 & 21, 2022

The annual Chicago Air and Water Show is on the weekend of August 20 and 21 this year. Montrose Point is a great place to view the show, especially when the military jets are flying. As such, the event attracts large numbers of people to the Chicago lakefront. If you plan on birding Montrose on August 20 or 21, keep this in mind and try to get there early for parking.

Early Migrant Passerines, August 17, 2022

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Olive-sided Flycatcher (click to see the larger version)

We’re about a month from the peak of songbird migration but we’ve been seeing small numbers of warblers and flycatchers for a few weeks. This is typical and expected. Migration starts as a trickle and gradually gains momentum until the peak. Some of these early migrants include Least, Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided Flycatchers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Cape May, Bay-breasted, and Black-and-white Warblers among others. August is shorebird month but after you’re done checking the beach head up to the Magic Hedge for some early warblering.

Coyote Cop

Coyote decoy

Coyote Cop on patrol at Montrose Harbor (click to see the larger version)

The folks who manage Montrose Harbor got tired of dealing with all the pooping Canada Geese and Mallards that like to roost on one of the docks, so they brought in a Coyote decoy to scare them off. This is a type of non-lethal pest control and it’s been working. Humans can tell the Coyote is fake but waterfowl aren’t so discriminating and have been avoiding the dock since Coyote Cop went on patrol in late July.