Again to Northwestern Lagoon Monday 1-19-26

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

I hadn't planned to do any birding today as it was just too cold
outside. But I saw a Discord report saying there was a ROSS'S GOOSE at
the Lagoon at Northwestern where I had just been yesterday. Well
there's a way to drive right up to that Lagoon (if you can get around
all the construction fencing) & view the water birds from the car so
that's what I did.

Arrived at about 10:30 am & found Josh E looking at the Lagoon & also
looking at the small ROSS'S GOOSE as well. The Goose was not very
helpful as it was sleeping with its head tucked under its back
feathers to block the wind I would guess. Watched for quite a while
but I only got one quick look at the bill which was small & pushed in
with no grin patch. But earlier photos showed that the bill was that
of a Ross's Goose. I'll take it!

Northwestern Lagoon (10:30-10;50 am)

Canada Goose (~100)
ROSS'S GOOSE (1-AD)
Mallard (26)
Greater Scaup (1-AD-M)
Lesser Scaup (1-AD-M)
(Both were sleeping but you could see the rounded head on one & the
peaked head on the other)
Ring Necked Duck (1-M)
Redhead (35-40)
Goldeneye (2-3)
Hooded Merganser (1-M & 4-F)
Common Merganser (1-PR)
Red Breasted Merganser (2)
Ruddy Duck (2-F)
Crows (3-4)

I guess there was a Bufflehead there as well but I couldn't find it.
So only 13 species at the Lagoon plus 2 additional roadside species
for a total of 15.
Bird-Of-The-Day will be the Ross's Goose & Runner-Up will be the Ring
Necked Duck.
There were 9 species of ducks here today not counting the Bufflehead
which I missed.

Al Stokie
Making the most of a very cold day in Cook County