N.U. Lagoon, Gillson Park/Wilmette Harbor, Skokie Lagoons & Lake Opeka Sunday 3-1-26

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

Decided to spend my time doing what I've been doing lately which is
look for ducks as land birds aren't happening yet. First I checked the
Lagoon at Northwestern & the nearby Wilmette Harbor at Gillson Park.
Then I looked at the Skokie Lagoons which has more open water this
week from along Forest Way Drive. Later I made quick stops at Heritage
Park, Lake Opeka & Axehead Lake.

N.U. Lagoon (9:15-9:55 am)

Horned Grebe (1)
Canada Goose (4) & Mallard (26)
Ring Necked Duck (1-M)
Goldeneye (1-F) & Red Breasted Merganser (1-F)
Ruddy Duck (2-F)
Ring Billed Gull (2)
Crow (3), Red Wings (2) & House Finch (1-M, singing)

Gillson Park/Wilmette Harbor (10-10:40 am)

Mallard (8)
Greater Scaup (1-M & 2-F), Redhead (27) & CANVASBACK (1-M)
Bufflehead (2-F)
Hooded (1-PR) & Red Breasted Merganser (4)
Ring Billed Gull (9)
Crow (1), Robin (1), Red Wing (1) & House Sparrow (8)

Skokie Lagoons from Forest Way Drive (11-11:55 am)

Canada Goose (11) & Mallard (4)
Lesser Scaup (1-M)
Goldeneye (11)
Common (6) & Red Breasted (102) Mergansers
Ring Billed (28) & Herring (4) Gulls

Heritage Park (12:35-12:45 pm)

Canada Goose (12), Red Breasted Merganser (17), Ring Billed (6) &
Herring (3) Gulls
Sandhill Crane (Heard a calling flock far to the west)

Lake Opeka (1:05-1:30 pm)

Canada Goose (22) & Mallard (~30)
Lesser Scaup (9), Redhead (also 9) & Ring Necked Duck (14)
Bufflehead (2-M & 1-F) & Goldeneye (24)
Common (1-M) & Red Breasted (11) Mergansers
Ring Billed (9) & Herring (3) Gulls

Axehead Lake (1:40-1:50 pm) (First time I've had any open water here)

Canada Goose (6) & Mallard (9)
Herring Gull (1)
Pigeons (~60)

So 23 species for the day plus 2 roadside additions for a day's total of 25.
Bird-Of-The-Day to the male Canvasback & Runners-Up to the Horned
Grebe & Ruddy Ducks.

License Plate Of The Day to one from Montana. It was one of the new
white plates.

Al Stokie
Another day spent local in Cook County