10 TH. Ee A UD Uc BOON Bie bil he le 
The Lake Calumet Cinder Flats 
By Alfred H, Reuss 
FOR MANY YEARS shorebirds have used the Lake Calumet area as a 
resting place in the spring and fall. Each year the area seems to change. 
Where will the birds be pushed to next? The Cinder Flats at present are 
bounded by 103rd St. on the north, 110th St. (Lake Calumet) on the south, 
Doty Ave. on the west, and the New York Central R.R. tracks on the east. 
The northern half is barren ground, and what I term the southern 
half consists of two lake-like bodies of water, one of which is grown over 
fairly well with cattails. This is a good area for Marsh Wrens, Redwinged 
Blackbirds, and rails. The northern half in 1961 contained a great amount 
of water, at times running over 108rd St, This caused traffic problems, 
and finally a ditch was dug near the middle and to the east, draining off 
the water. The ditch accomplished its purpose, as about half of the north- 
ern area became dry. This did little harm because weekly rains kept the 
remaining area at the proper depth for the sandpipers to use as a feed- 
ing ground. 
The year 1962, however, brought wide destruction of habitat. Lack 
of rain made it possible for everyone to dump old furniture, used lumber, 
broken cement, and other trash wherever they wished, sometimes in ‘the 
middle of a former pond. Then, too, the city of Chicago began changing 
the western edge of both the northern and southern areas by filling in 
dirt and leveling it off with a bulldozer. The western edge was formerly 
ideal for Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers, Common Snipes and some rails, 
all of which could find cover in the weeds and accumulated junk. — 
Just recently, beginning Oct. 15, 1962, the city has been filling in 
the northern half, starting at 103rd St. About three city blocks have been 
buried so far. The fill appears to be clay brought in by truck from the 
nearby Dan Ryan Expressway project, Will anything grow on this clay, or 
will the sun bake it hard? Will small puddles form for the sandpipers to 
explore for food? 
Never has the water level been so low. However, at no time have 
the Flats gone completely dry. On Aug. 26, 1962, the Chicago Ornithologi- 
cal Society held a field trip here and 18 species of shorebirds were ob- 
served. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper stole the show. Four came in long 
enough to look at us; we looked at them, and away they flew. 
Even now, nowhere in Northern Illinois can one find such a con- 
centration and so many species of shore birds as at the Cinder Flats. If 
you haven’t visited this area, try to make it a point to go birding there 
in 1968, preferably in July or August. We hope that the Cinder Flats will 
always remain a haven for sandpipers, but as conditions change so quick- 
ly nowadays, one never can tell. 
2908 Edison St., Blue Island, Illinois 
ff ft A ft 
CALLING ALL CARDINALS 
Why is it that every kernel of corn 
I earmark cardinal bounty 
Is carried away by every bluejay 
In the surrounding county ? 
Emeline Ennis Kotula 
