West Ridge Nature Park Advisory Council (PAC)
West Ridge Nature Park Advisory Council (PAC)

Chicago Park District
Chicago Park District
Fascinating Wildlife Stories Unfold
In Our Nature Preserve
Every Day.
Fascinating Wildlife Stories Unfold
In Our Nature Preserve
Every Day.
Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open.
Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open.

150 Bird Species and Still Counting
150 Bird Species and Still Counting

Townsend's Solitaire - Photographed by Andrew Aldrich
Birders have experienced an amazing three years at West Ridge Nature Preserve. During that time, 150 species of birds have been sighted, with our list is still growing! And there is ALWAYS a surprise in store it seems.
The latest was species #150: A Townsend’s Solitaire! This thrush lives in the Mountains of the Western United States; its visits to the American Midwest are extremely rare. Birding docent Jeff Wade spotted one on Saturday November 10. What a way to get to #150!
Local Ebird Monitor, Andrew Aldrich, also photographed the bird in Rosehill Cemetery as well.
Additionally, an immature Male Redhead was seen in late September—a first time for the preserve.

American Bittern - Photographed by Brian Garoutte

Male Redhead - Photographed by Steve DeBerg
And one of our biggest surprises of the year was the American Bittern we saw on our bird walk May 2nd.
There's always a surprise. You never know what you’ll see at WRNP!