Great Blue Heron, Jenny and Brendan See Birds

Posted on March 15, 2026 by Brendan

With the temp in the mid-40s, we thought a jaunt to McGinnis Slough Forest Preserve would be a good way to spend the morning. We brought the scope (and saw some delightful birds that way), and muddied our shoes, and boy, did we have a good time. (Ebird checklist)

Here are some of the friends we saw:

Two Canada Geese in the water — Two Canada Geese at McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

Gadwall in the water, McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

Great Blue Heron in a tree, McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

Four Northern Shovelers in the water — Four Northern Shovelers, McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

Two Pied-Billed Grebes in the water — Two Pied-Billed Grebes, McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

Two Sandhill Cranes flying very far away — Two Sandhill Cranes, flying very far away, McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

Turkey Vulture flying over McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

White-throated Sparrow on a log — White-throated-Sparrow on a log, McGinnis Slough, 15 Mar 26

TukreTurke

A Nice Morning at Dean Nature Sanctuary (4/13/25)

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Brendan

Dean Nature Sanctuary felt a bit desolate — they’d done a controlled burn and a lot of the grasses were denuded. The Robins and the Red-winged Blackbirds were out in force. No new lifers, but an enjoyable time nonetheless.