16 T HE’ AU DU BYO NS) B UD Tea 
Shore Birds at the Cinder Flats 
By Pauw H. LoBik 
ONE OF OUR MEMBERS, Mr. Harold Fetter of the Hyde Park Y.M.C.A., 
Chicago, reported in September that migratory shore birds were being 
killed on the Calumet Cinder Flats by waste oil dumped on standing water 
in the area, He promptly notified the Conservation Department, officials 
of the Sanitary District (a city waste disposal area is nearby), the Illinois 
Audubon Society, and the patrolling officer of the Nickel Plate Railroad, 
which owns the property. 
According to Mr. Fetter, the sandpipers and plovers wading in the pol- 
luted water became so covered with oil that they could not fly and some- 
times died on the spot. His warning was transmitted to one of our Directors, 
Mr. Alfred Reuss of Blue Island, who has been acting as liaison man on 
any problems arising in this area. Mr. Reuss immediately contacted repre- 
sentatives of the U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Richard B. Hoger 
family at Westmont, who have been responsible for saving the lives of 
many shore birds in this area during the last few years. 
The Cinder Flats, at 103rd St. and Doty Ave. on the south side of Chi- 
cago, have long been a favorite gathering spot for migrant shore birds (and 
bird watchers). In recent years, this has also been a source of high bird 
mortality. Thousands of shore birds here have been stricken by a perplex- 
ing and often fatal illness each fall. The Hogers have rescued many, Chemi- 
cal analysis of the crops of dead birds eventually revealed lead poisoning. 
The source of the lead was never clearly determined, but a bulldozer worked 
over the Cinder Flats last fall and winter, and apparently the poisonous 
chemicals were covered over. 
The Hogers did not have a single sick shore bird this fall. High water 
levels may have accounted for part of this happy change. This new threat 
to shore birds posed by the waste oil was also handled effectively, as the 
source of the oil was located and buried by a tractor, Unfortunately, the 
oil-soaked birds could not be rescued, but had to be destroyed by the Con- 
servation Department. Since quick action was taken, not many birds died. 
The Society appreciates the prompt action of Mr. Fetter in notifying the 
proper authorities of the danger. Splendid cooperation of this type should 
benefit many more of our wild birds. 
4835 Wabansia Ave., Chicago 39 
