CHICAGO — Humboldt Park is Sam Burckhardt's urban birding oasis.
In 10 plus years of birding the park, he's documented 205 different species of birds. That includes seeing surf scoters, snowy egrets, great horned owls, sandhill cranes, whooping cranes, warblers, goshawks and many, many more.
"Humboldt Park, like many other city parks in large urban areas, is truly an oasis," said Burckhardt, a professional saxophone player. "Many common and not so common birds can be easily observed in the park with a bit a patience and regular visits."
In 2009, Burckhardt spent an entire year visiting the park nearly daily, compiling a massive report that he published with Humboldt Park's various birds. He still visits the park frequently.
The park, 1200 N. Sacramento Ave., features 219 acres including wetlands, a lagoon and prairies filled with wildflowers. Those areas are prime spots for the hundreds of thousands of birds currently migrating through Chicago on their way north or stopping to lay their eggs and raise their young.
Check out Burckhardt's bird photos below and in the slideshow above ...
Red headed woodpecker in Humboldt Park. [Sam Burckhardt]
Goldfinch in Humboldt Park. [Sam Burckhardt]
Red tailed hawk in Humboldt Park. [Sam Burckhardt]
Great blue heron in Humboldt Park. [Sam Burckhardt]
Wood duck at Humboldt Park. [Sam Burckhardt]
