Day 17, Friday, May 8, 2020

Photo provided by Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The truth is, even as we've highlighted some wonderful sightings in these 50 days, Chicago's capricious spring weather has been a challenge at times. The major movements of migrants, the biggest of the big surges, have yet to come through Chicago Wilderness. Case in point, the wind is out of the north at 25 mph today. That means birds are staying farther to the south. Here is a comment shared by a birder yesterday:

"How many other people have noticed how there is just a massive absence of dozens of species of migrants? I’ve been over to [my nearest park] a dozen times in the last two weeks and I’ve seen three individual warblers. That’s it."

When fish aren't biting, anglers lament the lack of fish. When birds don't show up, birders often lament the lack of birds. Truly, there are going to be some days to come in May when birds are everywhere. While we're waiting, take solace in the gems that have already arrived. Such as the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, appearing in neighborhoods and at feeders all over Chicago right now.