River Trail Nature Center Thursday 12-4-25

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

Wanted to get some birding in but it was kind of cold today so I just
went to River Trail N.C. & watched the feeders from inside the
building. I was joined by Ann H for most of my time there.
Only common regular birds were there today but at least I had
something to look at. Special birds like Purple Finch & Eurasian
Goldfinch seen earlier this week were not seen today. They filled the
feeders as I arrived but the bird traffic was so great that many
feeders were empty or almost empty in two hours.

River Trail N.C. (9-11:10 am)

Canada Goose (17 fly-bys)
Kingfisher (heard & poorly seen along the river)
Mourning Dove (6)
Red Bellied Woodpecker (2)
Downy Woodpecker (1-M & 1-F)
Hairy Woodpecker (also 1-M & 1-F)
Blue Jay (3, at the same time)
Chickadee (1, seen best by Ann)
W.B. Nuthatch (1)
Cardinal (5)
Tree Sparrow (2)
White Throated Sparrow (2 in front & 1 out back)
Junco (9-10)
House Finch (only 1-M, at the back feeder)
Goldfinch (10, only at the thistle feeders)
House Sparrow (35-40, way too many)

So only 16 species at River Trail plus roadside Starlings & one Crow
for a total of 18 for the day. The Kingfisher was only poorly seen but
it will be Bird-Of-The-Day as it was the only bird today that was
slightly interesting. Runners-Up to the Red Bellied Woodpeckers & the
Blue Jays who constantly battle over the red peanut feeder. The
Woodpecker usually wins.

Al Stokie
Very local in Cook County today