Fort Sheridan Hawk Watch (Again) Saturday 9-20-25

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

If at 1st you don't succeed, try, try again!
Yesterday a Nelson's Sparrow was seen & photographed twice by counter
Pieter B but I missed both sightings by just a few minutes. So when I
saw on Discord that one was seen again (reported by Brad S) I decided
I should give it another try. Arrived by 8:20 am & was told a Nelson's
Sparrow was being seen right by the Hawk Watch counting area.

Took about 5 min but with directions from counter Tom Lally I did see
the Nelson's in the close by shrubs. It was mostly hidden but would
move into the open every few min. This was my 1st new year bird I've
had since very early September. The Nelson's would disappear & then
return over the next hour or so. Looks like try, try again worked this
time.

As far as raptors go it was a good day for Sharp Shinned Hawks with
the official count being at 36 when I left at 11 am. I saw about 15 of
them. Also a few Merlins went by with one stopping in a tree with
something it had caught. Biggest surprise was when Maureen M spotted a
big Great Horned Owl fly from the ravine area to the tree line to the
north.

Only had 17 species for the day at the Hawk Watch plus a roadside
Mourning Dove for a day's total of 18. Bird-Of-The-Day will be the
Nelson's Sparrow which I failed to find yesterday & Runner-Up will be
the fly-by Great Horned Owl.

License Plate Of The Day to one from Vermont seen on my way home.

Al Stokie
Again in Lake County today stalking sparrows