RBA: Chicago Lakefront rarities morning of 11/12

[Tarik Shahzad]

Hello all,

With the winds blowing from the East at 15mph and a slight dip to 40 degree temps, several Cook County birders lakewatched from Lincoln Park, Northerly Island, and Park no. 566. 

At Lincoln Park, a highly skilled birder, Mike M, spotted 2 PACIFIC LOONS migrating down the shoreline in flocks of Common Loons. These birds likely flew farther down the shoreline and then crossed inland, since lakewatchers from Park no. 566 observed several flocks of loons flying inland over the skyscrapers immediately following his reports. 

At Northerly Island, birder Erick M documented several loon flocks flying past and over him heading down shore and inland in addition to hundreds of waterfowl migrating on the lake.

At Park no. 566, Andy S, Demond M, Tarik S, and Woody G documented over 100 Common Loons migrating over downtown, along the lake southbound, and directly over them heading inland. At 9:47AM, the birders spotted a BRANT flying close to shore heading North. They watched it land at Rainbow Beach between the two breakwalls. Unfortunately, other birders could not relocate the bird today. Based on previous records, Brants sometimes hangout for several days with Canada Goose flocks along the lakefront. Consider keeping a lookout for a Brant at spots like Montrose, Belmont Harbor, Washington Park, Lincoln Park, Northerly Island, etc. 

Happy Birding,

Tarik Shahzad

Cook County Birder