Autumn Migration Through Carillon Stonegate Pond

Autumn is upon us at Carillon Stonegate Pond.

The trees around our pond are in transition. 
Going - or gone - is their summer spectrum of greens. 
And replaced - oh, so briefly - by brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. 

Fall day upon Carillon Stonegate Pond

Fall landscape mirrored onto Carillon Stonegate Pond.

As the evening temperatures drop toward freezing, the fall air cools. 
The remaining warmth in the pond water is slowly drawn out. 
And a grey, foggy mist forms above Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Cool morning fog on Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Fall is also unique to the bird and wildlife sightings around Carillon Stonegate Pond.

As they seek warmer climates during our long Chicago area winters, many birds stop over here on their return migration. 
And some of our wildlife emerge from the forested areas north of the pond.

Who left us during the heat of the summer and are returning now? Tree Swallows - i.e., "Blue Angels" flight squadron of Carillon Stonegate Pond are seen darting low to the surface of Carillon Stonegate Pond. Blue Jays and Cardinals start to appear around many of the feeders across our community. A single Red-winged Blackbird is spotted flying among the shoreline reeds. Squadrons of Canadian geese arrive and depart the ponds throughout the day. And our "submersibles" - Double-crested Cormorant and Grebe can be seen floating and then diving into Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Blue Jay.

Canadian Geese visiting Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Cardinal at feeder fending off competitors.

Double-crested Cormorant on Fall morning.

Lonely grebe on Carillon Stonegate Pond.

And, of course, we continue to see some birds who remained – never seeking cooler temperatures to the north. Our Great Blue Heron and Great Egret have been seen daily wading the shoreline in search of food. Mallards have flocked to the pond on their return journey south. And the American Goldfinch can be found at some of the feeders here.

Mallards, Great Blue Heron and Great Egret - oh my!

American Goldfinch at feeder.

 And as Fall settles in at Carillon Stonegate Pond, some wildlife appear in the tall wild flowers and grasses along the pond's shoreline. Deer walk out of the forest to drink at the pond. Coyotes can be spotted slinking to the shoreline prowling for food.

Deer grazing on the north side of Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Most of the birds will only be here for a short time. They will be continuing their long journeys south to warmer climates - as may some of us at Carillon at Stonegate. 
So enjoy these sightings while they last!

Throughout the seasons, there is an interesting and unique ebb and flow of birds and other wildlife around Carillon Stonegate Pond. It is a wonderful experience to behold.

For more information on birds and sources of information used in each of these blogs (these are the sources that I am using to learn as I blog), please visit All About Birds and Audubon Society.  And the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a wonderful source of information for anyone interested in learning more about birds.

The Carillon at Stonegate community is very fortunate to have a variety of wetland, forest and prairie environments conducive to a variety of birds and other wildlife. Our community and the Kane County Forest Preserve does an exceptional job in maintaining this natural environment – both for the benefit of the birds and wildlife and for our residents to enjoy. Take a hike and see what you can find – and identify!

And please come back to our blog – “Life on Carillon Stonegate Pond” to learn more about the birds and wildlife the either live or visit this wonderful habitat. As I learn, I share with you.