Twenty-five participants (along with 1 reporter & 2 Port District
personnel) attended this "inside the fence" Lake Calumet Earth Day Hike from
10:00 am - 12:30 pm on Monday (22 April 2013). We met at the Harborside Golf
Course parking lot, and then we visited both the east & west shores of Lake
Calumet.
Quite a few birders & photographers were along for the trip, and we
tallied 44 bird species. Most notable were at least 33 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS
(1 flock of 18, 1 flock of 15) circling over the Harborside parking lot upon our
arrival. We also had great views of the active Lake Calumet BALD EAGLE nest from
both the east & west shores. Other raptors included 1 NORTHERN HARRIER &
1 RED-TAILED HAWK (with a snake in its mouth) seen from the Harborside parking
lot, and 4 TURKEY VULTURES at nearby US Bank.
At least 11 waterfowl species were seen, including 9 duck species. Other
than large numbers of SONG SPARROWS and a single FIELD SPARROW few notable
passerine migrants were observed. Two EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were heard singing on
the property. As the trip was ending, a few observers spotted a pair of OSPREYS
in flight (one carrying a large fish) from the Harborside lot. One of the
Ospreys was being harassed by a Red-tailed Hawk. Interesting way to end the
trip!
--Walter Marcisz
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