South Pond, Lincoln Park, Cliff Swallows are back!

[Leslie Borns]

Dear ILbirders,

This evening on my North Pond-South Pond walking route I was delighted to observe that the Cliff Swallows have returned to their colony on the undersides of the bridge over South Pond.  Cliff Swallow Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  The swallows only started nesting there a couple of years ago, and I've been checking regularly and there were no birds or nests.  I thought they might have abandoned the colony but it appears they arrived late.  Tonight there were about 20 fresh nests, one with a bunch of grasses sticking out (they line the mud-gourd nests with dried grasses), such a joy. 

The swallows are expanding their population at South Pond and now nesting on the Ulysses Grant Monument over the pond.  This gorgeous statue, unveiled in 1891, is one of the finest historical sculptures in Chicago. Ulysses S. Grant Monument | Chicago Park District. Grant is sitting up there on his famous horse, Cincinnati, with these beautiful Cliff Swallows flying all around!  I was able to see two pairs of swallows in the process of building their nests on the outside of the statue pedestal; the birds were vocalizing intensely as they clung to the stone wall placing the mud, then flying back and forth to the pond.  By the time I left, there was a small "shelf" one of the birds was perching on.  I also noticed two nests on the underside of the pedestal, high up in the arched walls.

So great to see more of these swallows in Lincoln Park!

Best regards,

Leslie Borns

Chicago/Cook

To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.

                      Jane Austen (1775 - 1817)