Bill Koch on 5/17 reported via e-mail: I visited Jelke Creek today at lunch. Had some small numbers of shore birds. The best birds being the three Semipalmated Plovers located in different places around the preserve. In the largest middle pond Pectorals, Least and Spotted Sandpipers were foraging along with Lesser Yellowlegs on top of the floating algae mat.
 

Semipalmated Plover photo courtesy Bill Koch

Al Stokie on 5/17 reported via IBET: My main target for today was the Kane Co Summer Tanager at Norris Woods which Scott C has been talking about. But I learned that it's hard to find a bird when you can't find the location!

Norris Woods turned out to be not exactly where I thought it was or at least the parking lot was not. Eventually I figured it out & the Tanager was singing right where it was supposed to be but actually seeing it was not so easy. All I could see were red bird movements as it moved to different singing spots. Finally I got one good look although not a long one. Then I checked out some of the trails but it was like birding in the summer as I found no migrants at all including Warblers. Some of the birds I did find were:

Red Bellied Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Carolina Wren (singing loudly), Red Eyed Vireo, Rose Breasted Grosbeak & many Indigo Buntings. When I returned the Summer Tanager was much easier to deal with as if it was sorry for all the work it made me do earlier. It's red on the head, chest & top of the back but not elsewhere.

Then to Sauer Family F.P. which is right now a hard place to deal with. All the pathways are overgrown with mostly clover & other plants so walking is hard & the walks are long. Plus there are hordes of tiny gnats which swarm your head as you walk. Then when you get to the water spots there are hardly any birds except Mallards & Red Winged Blackbirds. I did hear one Pheasant & a Marsh Wren & got to see one singing Sedge Wren & a Grasshopper Sparrow. I think I'll hold off on this place for a while.

Ken Schneider on 5/17 reported via e-mail: This morning we arrived at the Norris Woods parking lot at about 9:00 AM, and just as Scott promised, we immediately heard the Summer Tanager singing as we stepped out of the car. Jack was there with his camera and he had already gotten some nice shots. For me this was an FTP (first-time photographed bird). The tanager stayed for only a few more minutes, and we did not hear or see it again during the next hour, so we were lucky indeed! Later, near the bend in the bike path we heard a singing Red-eyed Vireo. However, we did not step on any warblers and, aside from yellowthroats, only saw one warbler, a Black-throated Green.
 

Red-eyed Vireo photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Summer Tanager photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Jack Pomatto on 5/17 reported via e-mail: Today, 5/17/12 the Summer Tanager reported earlier at Norris Woods was seen and heard singing in the area around the kiosk from at least 7:00 A.M. till at least 9:00 A.M. The image enclosed was taken at 7:45 A.M. This bird is not in full adult plumage.
 

Summer Tanager photo courtesy Jack Pomatto

Chris Mussachio on 5/16 reported via e-mail: There was at least a dozen of these Cedar Waxwings at Buffalo Park.
 

Scott Cohrs on 5/16 reported via IBET: The Summer Tanager first noted on May 5th was still in the same spot this morning. He likes to sit and sing from the tallest tree (Sumac maybe?) behind the kiosk near the parking lot [at Norris Woods]. The last few times I have stopped at Norris, you can hear him as soon as you pull in.

Later, I almost stepped on a Connecticut Warbler along the interior trail that parallels the bike path. For those familiar with that path, it was right near the sewer manhole cover. Blackpoll, Bay-breasted and Black-throated Green were the other interesting warblers.

After I dropped the kids off at school, made a 2 minute stop at Pillsbury Pond. Several Willow Flycatchers were singing, as well as my FOY Alder Flycatcher.

Ken Schneider on 5/15 reported via e-mail: We hoped to find some warblers when we visited the south end of Lippold Park today, but only heard a couple of yellowthroats. At about 9:30 this morning, Mary Lou and I were walking north at the beginning of the dirt trail that runs between the grassland along the west side of the parking lot and the riverside tree line, when we saw three or four sparrows and two robins foraging on the trail some distance ahead. All but one of the sparrows were Song Sparrows, but one seemed longer and slimmer and walked instead of hopping. About all we could make out with the binoculars was a strong line over its eye that suggested it was a Lark Sparrow. I took several photos that confirmed its identity.

The Lark Sparrow did not allow a very close approach, and after making a couple of short flights along the trail it flew into the thicket of trees at the northwest end of the grassland. We could not re-locate it. Not sure how unusual this sighting may be, but thought others may be interested.
 

Lark Sparrow photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Vern LaVia on 5/15 reported via IBET: The saga continues. Monday's observations of the Aurora pair of Red-hd Wdpckrs near Illinois Ave. & Rt. 25, in the northerly parking lot with the large pile of wood chips (on Illinois Ave., 100 yards west of Rt. 25): I saw two male Hairy Woodpeckers "displaying" for one female Hairy on the same limb containing the Red-headed Woodpecker's nesting hole. It appeared they may have been trying to take over the hole! But one RhW came swooping out of nowhere to fend them off, while the other RhW made very unusual calls from within the hole--almost squawking like a parrot!??--poking its head out from the hole and sweeping its beak back and forth at a rapid pace as if fighting-off the Hairy clan.

A hundred yards north, in an old dead tree on the river's edge, Starlings are now occupying the hole that a pair of Flickers were using only last week! The pair of Flickers remained clinging to the tree about 5 feet down from the Starling, and while very agitated, they seemed to be excavating another hole in the same tree!

42 years of birding...and simple observations like this can still fascinate and excite me!

Ann Haverstock on 5/14 reported via e-mail: May 14th, 8:30 A.M. Olive-sided flycatcher...West Fabyan, up slope, last seen just North of the Fabyan house.

Chris Mussachio on 5/13 reported via e-mail: Spotted this Rose-Breasted Grosbeak and 2 Red-Bellied Woodpeckers at Freeman-Kame Forest Preserve on Mother's Day.
 

Rose-breasted Brosbeak photo courtesy Chris Mussachio

Red-bellied Woodpecker photo courtesy Chris Mussachio

Brendon Lake on 5/13 reported via e-mail: Mother's Day at Fabyan Forest Preserve was very motherly indeed. Notable sightings include three families of mallards with young ones, an active robin's nest with two young ones and a mother tidying the nest, and a rather extended canada goose family with 14 goslings! Also present were the great-horned owlets with momma sitting just a tree away, watching as a few people threw a frisbee near the base of the tree she was sitting in. On a non-mother related note, other sightings include plenty of indigo buntings and baltimore orioles.
 

Great Horned Owlet photo courtesy Brendon Lake

John Heneghan on 5/13 reported via IBET: Pretty good morning. Black and White Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Canadian Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Connecticut Warbler, Redstart, 1st year male Orchard oriole, Baltimore Orioles, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, Ovenbird, Catbirds, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, White Breasted Nuthatch, Phoebes, Scarlet Tanager, Towhee, Chickadees, Cedar Waxwings, Indigo buntings (pair), Brown Thrasher, Red Bellied Woodpecker.

Rich Miller on 5/13 reported via IBET: Heard then saw the Black-billed Cuckoo @ 7:15am [at Campton FP] on trail near small pond. Skimpy on warblers this morning.

Sean Fitzgerald on 5/12 reported via eBird: A Western Kingbird flying across the river south of the bridge at Fabyan Forest Preserve.

Tim Balassie on 5/12 reported via e-mail: For those looking - had my first Kane County BELL'S VIREO today (5/12) at Pingree Grove FP. The bird was located in the scrub leading to the marsh boardwalk.

Tim Balassie on 5/11 reported via e-mail: FYI had my FOY COMMON NIGHTHAWK over Saint Charles tonight (5/11).

John Heneghan on 5/11 reported via IBET: We had a Brown Thrasher show up at the feeders today. It seemed to be eating the corn on the ground. Had a female coopers hawk walking the railing on the porch trying to figure out how to get the sparrows in the bushes. Had a female oriole at the orange and nectar, but did not stay around. Noticeable absence of orioles and grosbeaks this Spring at the feeders.

Kurt Frieders on 5/11 reported via e-mail: Yesterday I went to Fabyan FP in search of the owlets that I had visited just the day before. In the time I was there neither myself or two other people were able to find them. Someone was able to find the mother Great Horned Owl however, and we all had good looks at her. While I was there I was able to spot and photograph an Orchard Oriole. I spent almost all of my time looking for the owls, but did manage to see several Baltimore Orioles, Myrtle Warblers, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds. Also the four Black Capped Chickadees that hatched in our nest box (in Aurora township) just left the box yesterday. I photographed them the day before when they were literally fighting each other to poke their heads out of the box.
 

Orchard Oriole photo courtesy Kurt Frieders

Black-capped Chickadee photo courtesy Kurt Frieders

Andrew Aldrich on 5/11 reported via e-mail: I've attached a photo of the Hooded Warbler at Oakhurst from yesterday. Also had Great Crested Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Veery, Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Orchard Oriole, in addition to most of the species reported the other day.
 

Hooded Warbler photo courtesy Andrew Aldrich

Chris Weishaar on 5/9 reported via IBET: Was out once again [yesterday] along the west side of the Fox River [at Fabyan FP]. My highlight for the day was the yellow-throated vireo. The complete list:
 

There was also a Flycatcher I could not positively identify as I didn't hear it. It was definitely not the Phoebe or Peewee.

Chris Weishaar on 5/8 reported via IBET: Was at the Fabyan Forest Preserve/Japanese Gardens yesterday afternoon along the west bank of the Fox River. The tally, highlights being the Grebe and Red-eyed Vireo:
 

Julie Long on 5/7 reported via e-mail: While looking for the young owls at the Fabyan forest preserve Sunday at noon, I found a Northern parula warbler, as well as a yellow throated warbler. They were both just north of the Japanese garden in the sycamores. One of the owls was in an oak tree near the pavilion south of the garden. We did not locate the other one but did not spend a lot of time looking for it either.
There also was a yellow throated warbler on our Sat. bird count. It was at Leroy Oakes and he was singing in a sycamore near the red barn and the historic house.

Andrew Aldrich on 5/7 reported via e-mail: I had a singing male Hooded Warbler at Oakhurst this evening. It was going back and forth along the creek near the northeast side of the lake, and I eventually lost sight of it in the woods. Other birds of note: Chimney Swift, Cliff Swallow, Eastern Wood-pewee, Eastern Kingbird, Least Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Marsh Wren, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Wilson's Warbler.

Kurt Frieders on 5/7 reported via e-mail: This Sunday saw the arrival of a male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak to our window feeder (in Aurora township). He has been visiting the feeder quite often and seems more than willing to pose for pictures. On the same day we had our first sighting this year of a Baltimore Oriole in our yard. He was feeding at our Hummingbird feeder, and so far appears to be alone. Last year we had a pair for a month. While stopping to photograph a Great Egret behind Copley Hospital, I also noticed a Green Heron. The Green Heron was walking the edge of the pond looking for a meal.
 

Baltimore Oriole photo courtesy Kurt Frieders

Rose-breasted Grosbeak photo courtesy Kurt Frieders

Green Heron photo courtesy Kurt Frieders

Ken Schneider on 5/6 reported via e-mail: The car can serve as a very effective blind. This morning, with thunder in the background, I drove around the vacant block in front of our North Aurora condo. Earlier, I had heard both a Spotted Sandpiper and a Vesper Sparrow singing. Both have nested here in the past, but within a few days, ground will be broken for over 100 new townhomes on this site. First I found the sandpiper atop a favorite rock pile, but it flew away as I readied my camera, only to be replaced by a Savannah Sparrow. I found the sandpiper again further away in a fluddle across the street. I had given up the search for the Vesper Sparrow, but stopped to get the mail that I forgot to pick up yesterday. I heard it singing on another rock pile and drove back. It posed briefly before disappearing, just as rain started falling. Other species that nested in this field last year included Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Song Sparrow and Horned Lark. So far I this spring I have seen all but the latter. It's sad to think that their homes will probably be gone before the end of breeding season.
 

Spotted Sandpiper photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Vesper Sparrow photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Savannah Sparrow photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Judy Hoenig on 5/5 reported via e-mail: Driving down Bowes near Long Common in Elgin. We spotted a Red Tailed Hawk in the middle of the road with dinner. Upon closer view it had a squirrel pinned down. We got too close and it flew a few feet away into a wooded area with the squirrel.

Kurt Frieders on 5/5 reported via IBET: Saw a lot of the usual birds at Oakhurst this morning along with more Baltimore Orioles than I have ever seen there. I was almost back to my car at the upper lot when a Pileated Woodpecker flew right in front of me at about 15 feet. This was completely shocking to me as I have never seen or heard one there before. I certainly hopes it sticks around.

John Heneghan on 5/4 reported via e-mail: Went to Big Rock FP this morning. Quite a few Yellow Warblers, Gnatcatchers, Common Yellowthroats, Warbling Vireos, Scarlet Tanager, House Wren, Orioles, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, Red Headed Woodpecker, Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Cormorants, Grey Catbirds, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Thrasher, Indigo Buntings.

Fabyan: The owlets were still in the tree. Gnatcatchers (building a nest near the Japanese Garden), hummingbird, orioles, rose breasted grosbeaks, yellowrumped warblers, house wren, warbling vireo, catbirds, indigo bunting.

We had 3 Indigo buntings at the home feeders and male and female hummingbirds. We have had oranges out to welcome the absent orioles. The red bellied woodpeckers have been going to town on the oranges.
 

Ron Dickenson on 5/4 reported via e-mail: Red tail hawks' nest with two young ones at Mooseheart today. In a pine tree close to Mooseheart rd.
 

Christopher Cudworth on 5/4 reported via IBET: Hour's walk at Arends produced these birds
 

Marion Miller on 5/3 reported via e-mail: Birded Tyler Creek in Elgin for a short while after work this afternoon. Disappointed with lack of warblers there, but did enjoy the Baltimore Orioles and FOY Great Crested Flycatcher.
 

Great Crested Flycatcher photo courtesy Marion Miller

Chris Musacchio on 5/3 reported via e-mail: Great Crested Flycatcher spotted at Tyler Creek. Also saw the 2 owlets again at Fabyan Forest Preserve. While driving home on Route 31 just south of McLean Blvd., I saw a Red-tailed hawk flying over head with a snake in his talons. Sunroof really paid off today.
 

Great Crested Flycatcher photo courtesy Chris Musacchio

Ed Vedral on 5/3 reported via e-mail: This afternoon we had (foy) a hummingbird in our yard. We are in Campton Hills.

Steve Myers on 5/3 reported via e-mail: One of the owlets at Fabyan Forest Preserve.
 

Great Horned Owlet photo courtesy Steve Myers

Debbie Wisser on 5/2 reported via e-mail: This afternoon, after work, I birded at Jon J Duerr. There weren’t large numbers of birds, but there were some new arrivals for me. First of the year sightings for me: Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Baltimore Oriole, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Other Warblers seen were: Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Palm Warbler. Non warblers included: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Cedar Waxwing, Barn Swallow, White-throated Sparrow, Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture and Wood Duck.

Eric Secker on 5/2 reported via IBET: Sally and I birded at Judson University late this morning and again in the afternoon. There was quite an influx of new birds compared to yesterday including many Baltimore Orioles, 3 Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, and a variety of sparrows and warblers.

We tallied 76 species for the day. Not bad for our "backyard".

We had 16 species of warblers even late in the day, highlighted by my first Kane Co. PRAIRIE WARBLER and a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Other highlights included a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and a rather late DARK-EYED JUNCO that came in with the new birds this morning.

There were quite a few SAVANNAH SPARROWS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS around. Warblers included: Prairie, Black-throated Blue, Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Northern Parula, Orange-crowned (2), Chestnut-sided(2), Black-throated Green, Black-and-white (4), Northern Waterthrush(2), Tennessee (5), Nashville(+), Common Yellowthroat, Palm(+), and Yellow-rumped(+).

The full list is below.
 

Ken Schneider on 5/1 reported via e-mail: A lone Wild Turkey walked across the bike trail at Les Arends., and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were building their nest. Got to see and photograph the owlets at Fabyan, but Chris got much better shots. Also saw this beautiful Eastern Palm Warbler at Les Arends. After putting up with the dull Western Palms in Florida all winter, it was a thrill to see one in living color!
 

Wild Turkey photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Palm Warbler photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Chris Musacchio on 5/1 reported via e-mail: Great Horned Owlets taken today at Fabyan Forest Preserve. I owe a special thanks to Ken Schneider and his wife (who also posted pictures on 5/1) they were the ones who spotted the owlets at Fabyan Forest Preserve today and gave me the opportunity to take those photos.
 

Great Horned Owlet stretching its wings photo courtesy Chris Mussachio

Jack Pomatto on 5/1 reported via e-mail: Today, 5/1/12 a lone individual Broad-winged Hawk was seen soaring over Ferson Creek Fen in St. Charles at about 11:00 A.M. Maybe we will be treated to some kettles during count day.

Marion Miller on 5/1 reported via e-mail: Rich and I walked the south eastern edge of Nelson Lake at 6:45am today in hopes of finding warblers. We came up empty, but did see 2 Eastern Kingbirds (FOY) in the field near the first turn of the path. White-crowned Sparrows were plentiful.

Scott Cohrs on 4/30 reported via IBET: Must be moving day for Willets! I found 4 Willets at Kenyon Farms this evening on the way home from work. This is in South Elgin, just east of the high school...

Lisa Corrigan on 4/30 reported via e-mail: Yesterday my husband and I saw an eagle off Randall Road, on the Mooseheart property. It was sitting high in a tree but was visible as you were driving by. Went back about ½ hour later and it was still sitting in the same spot.

John Janunas on 4/30 reported via e-mail: Great horned owlets at Fabyan Forest Preserve this morning.
 

Great Horned Owlets photo courtesy John Janunas

Vernon LaVia on 4/29 reported via IBET: In my backyard of Aurora, right as the rain started around 6:30 pm, I observed from my porch (at eye level) for more than 15 seconds...Worm-eating Warbler.

Also had a Palm Warbler singing away a few feet from the Worm-eating. And a Rose br Grosbeak high up in one of our black walnut trees.

My neighbor's little girl, God bless her, ran over in a bright pink coat and asked me---in a Dennis-the-Menace-like sing-song---"What'cha doing?" In doing so, the Worm-eating darted swiftly across the back alley to a large tree in the backyard of someone living on Lincoln Ave., and I could not relocate it.

First Worm-eating in the 12 years we've lived here.

Cathy Blecker on 4/29 reported via e-mail: Have a Red Headed Woodpecker in the yard today resting on a black cherry tree. It has been there for 3/4 of an hour. Resting and looking side to side. We live on a forested track and back on a large farm field...in Campton hills. We saw a juvenile Red Headed Woodpecker for 9 days last fall eating off our side yard bird feeder. It loved the peanuts.

John Heneghan on 4/28 reported via e-mail: Went to Fabyan Woods and Les Arends. FOY Oriole at the Japanese Garden. A few Yellowrumped Warblers. FOY Rose Breasted Grosbeak at Les Arends. Lots of Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, Yellow Rumped Warblers, an Oriole and many swallows (tree and barn) enjoying the evening hatch once the sun came out.

Rosemary Felbinger on 4/28 reported via e-mail: I was really interested in Pam Otto's article about the Red-Headed Woodpeckers. We had never seen one before; however, in the last ten days or so, one is visiting our feeders... Only one ever visits. I took a couple of pictures from inside the house...We live across the street from an empty, wooded lot with several old decaying trees. We are located in St. Charles Township [west of town].

Julie Long on 4/27 reported via e-mail: There are two fledgling great horned owls and a parent very visible at Fabyan forest preserve. They are in the oak trees just north of the main parking lot and west of the bike trail. They were in one of the trees closest to the parking lot. According to the photographer there, the exact directions are posted on ILBIRDS and some photographer's "hotline". Jon Duerr and I observed them after noticing the attention being given them.

John Heneghan on 4/27 reported via e-mail: The sandhills were again present this AM at the wetland area along RT 56 before the junction with I-88. Also saw turkeys in the corn stubble at the junction with I-88 on the East side.

John Heneghan on 4/26 reported via e-mail: Saw the Sandhills at Aurora West this AM at the same spot I have seen them 2x previously off RT56 before it merges into I-88. Perhaps they are setting up housekeeping.

Chris Madsen on 4/26 reported: Made a quick stop at Fabyan FP this morning to spot my very own Baltimore Oriole. No such luck. But a flitting Blue-gray Gnatcatcher directed my eye to a Red-headed Woodpecker about 100  feet south of the Japanese Gardens.

Claire Dassey on 4/26 reported via IBET: Had a couple of welcome visitors today. I awakened to the chirp of the oriole at 6am (and promptly put the oranges out). As I pulled in the driveway this afternoon, I got a glimpse of the Redhead on a tree in the yard...Both of these birds have been nesting in my yard over the years, so hopefully this year is no exception.
Now just waiting for the Grosbeak to drop in. :)

Karen Land on 4/26 reported via IBET: I just had my FOY [Rose] Breasted Grosbeak at my feeder. Looking in my records it is between now and May 6 when I get my first sighting each year. Typically it's the only time of the year I see them in my yard.

Rose Johnson on 4/25 reported via e-mail: A redheaded woodpecker came to our peanut feeder twice this past Monday (April 23). We were out of town on Tuesday and on Wednesday Morning, but I saw him again Wednesday afternoon about 4 o'clock. He flew into a Basswood tree, sat for a minute and flew on out of my yard. We live on Lundstrom lane in Dundee Township and our property borders the Dixie Fromm Open Space parcel. The woodpecker flew into the wooded area north of our house.

20-30 years ago Redheaded Woodpeckers were regular visitors at our feeders, but except for one sighting approximately one year ago, this is the first we've seen of them in years. I hope this one is here to stay!

Ron Dickenson on 4/25 reported via e-mail: Looks like the south west side of the nest is missing now! I have not seen the Eagles around the nest since Friday 04/13/2012. The last known time someone from Mooseheart has seen them was Wed. 04/18/2012. I was out there on Thursday 04/19/2012 and that's when I took the picture of their damaged nest.
 

Before and after pictures of the Mooseheart eagle nest courtesy Ron Dickenson

John Heneghan on 4/25 reported via e-mail: First White Crowned Sparrow at the feeders and Yellow Rumped Warblers in the Oak next to the house [in Sugar Grove] this AM.

Eric Secker on 4/25 reported via IBET: I had a number of new birds at Judson University that arrived just this morning including a BALTIMORE ORIOLE, GREEN HERON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. Other birds still present include PINE WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, PINE SISKIN, HOUSE WREN, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, CHIMNEY SWIFT, and other regulars.

Debbie Wisser on 4/24 reported via e-mail: I arrived a Jon Duerr FP this morning and found I had left my binoculars at home, so back home I drove to get them. Imagine my surprise when, near the Elgin Mental Health Center in Elgin, a Pileated Woodpecker flew right past my car heading Northwest! I finished the trip home in disbelief, and returned to the FP. I ran into Margaret a short while later and we were amazed that both of us had seen the same thing! The rest of my morning did not turn up anything quite as surprising. At Jon Duerr there were still many Yellow Rumps and Palms. I heard a Northern Parula in Tekakwitha Woods, but could not locate it. Also near Tekakwitha, I had my FOY House Wren. Along the bike path were many White- throated Sparrows, some Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Hairy Woodpecker and other more common birds. In the afternoon, I took a quick stop at Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve. It was fairly quiet there. Spotted were Savannah Sparrows, Vesper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and a lone Sandhill Crane. In a pond in the Montague Forest sub-division off Russell Road was a pair of Hooded Mergansers.

Jon Duerr on 4/24 reported via e-mail: Roger Melhouse found a Wilson Phalarope at Sauer F P Tuesday. We went and found it at the north end of the big pond with Dunlins and Pectorals. Ann H. was there watching Soras and Virginia Rails.

Margaret Mechtenberg on 4/24 reported via phone: Seeing a Pileated Woodpecker flying over the SEBA Park-to-Jon Duerr FP bike path this morning.

Eric Secker on 4/23 reported via IBET: I had my first CHIMNEY SWIFT of the season along the Fox River in West Dundee this evening. On the Fox River at Judson University this past Saturday we also had three YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS all hanging close together and an OSPREY. Today, a PINE WARBLER was present on campus among the many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS as well as my second HOUSE WREN for the season. Down by the river there were two BLUE-WINGED TEAL and three HOODED MERGANSERS as well as a few common species of shorebirds. I also had an OSPREY along Rt. 31 in McHenry Co. on Sunday.

Ann Haverstock on 4/23 reported via e-mail: In my quest for a Yellow Rail, I have been sitting quietly alone at Sauer Kame wetlands. No audio recordings were used, but the Virginia Rail and Sora both came very close to me. I have the correct habitat, but not the rail of my desire. I will try again tomorrow.
 

Virginia Rail photo courtesy Ann Haverstock

Chris Mussachio on 4/23 reported via e-mail: Eastern Blue Bird at Freeman-Kame Forest Preserve in Gilberts on 4/22/12
 

Eastern Bluebird photo courtesy Chris Mussachio

Diane Hansen on 4/23 reported via e-mail: I saw a pair of Belted Kingfishers on April 20th up on a wire along Binnie Road just west of Randall Road. Sadly my pictures were all blurred.

Andrew Aldrich on 4/23 reported via e-mail: The Whooping Cranes were present [at Sauer FP] for at least an hour. They may have spent the evening there, but they departed to the northwest around 7:45am. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, they are both females that were released at Horicon NWR in Wisconsin in 2011. Shorebird numbers were dismal, possibly due to the constantly hunting Peregrine Falcon. Other species of note: a pair of Long-billed Dowitchers, a calling Sora, 11 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 singing Marsh Wren, 4 Vesper Sparrows, 30+ Savannah Sparrows, a pair of Henslow's Sparrows, 20+ Swamp Sparrows, my FOY Lincoln's Sparrow, and a singing Western Meadowlark.
 

Whooping Cranes photo courtesy Andrew Aldrich

Lincoln's Sparrow photo courtesy Andrew Aldrich

Andrew Aldrich on 4/21 reported via eBird: Seeing 2 Whooping Cranes at Sauer Prairie Kame Forest Preserve.

Tim Balassie on 4/21 reported via e-mail: Walked the perimeter of LeRoy today (4/21) and encountered Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Orange-crowned Warblers, as well as FOY Broad-winged Hawk and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

On 4/17 a class of NIU students led by instructor Nick Barber spotted 4 Glossy Ibises below the east observation deck at Nelson Lake. Thanks to Tegan Carr we have photos.
 

Glossy Ibises photo courtesy Tegan Carr

Glossy Ibis photo courtesy Tegan Carr

Julie Long on 4/20 reported via IBET: I arrived home from Fla yesterday to find five pine siskens in my yard, one of whom was feeding another. I am assuming this was a young one by its behavior. Would they already have nested in this area, or south of here? I hear it has been an amazing spring ,which I have missed, but isn't this quite early?

Eric Secker on 4/20 reported via IBET: There are dozens of swallows working the Fox River in West Dundee today due to the cold weather and probably large numbers elsewhere along the Fox.

All five species are present including TREE, BARN, BANK, N. ROUGH-WINGED, and CLIFF.

Angela A. on 4/19 reported via e-mail: I saw a blue-winged teal near the cave in North Aurora (i.e., on the south side of Red Oak Nature Center).

Kurt Frieders on 4/18 reported via e-mail: We had an hour to bird Oakhurst FP (Aurora) just before dusk last night. We came up with some good birds including: Rusty Blackbird, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Great Blue Heron. Hermit Thrush, Yellow Rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Canada Goose, Coot, Mallard, BW Teal, Wood Duck, Northern Flicker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Crow, Robin, Red-Tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, White-Throated Sparrow, and Eastern Towhee. There also were more Red Admiral butterflies than I have ever seen in my life. This morning I was treated to the first Wood Thrush I have ever seen in my yard (in Aurora township). He was even kind enough to pose for a picture.
 

Wood Thrush photo courtesy Kurt Frieders

Marion Miller on 4/17 reported via e-mail: Theresa LeCompte and I went to Gunner Anderson and Norris Woods. Gunner Anderson was beautiful by the ravine but we were unable to locate our target bird, the Louisiana Waterthrush. At Norris Woods we were more successful. Highlights were 2 Hermit Thrushes (FOY), 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets and close views of a very vocal Osprey (FOY). We were at 16 species ( full list here ) when we "hurried" out because of a call received about 4 Glossy Ibis at Nelson Lake. We were among the many birders who could not relocate the Ibis. Highlights there were 6 Great Blue Herons, Sandhill Crane, and a calling Sora.
 

Osprey photo courtesy Marion Miller

Eric Secker on 4/17 reported via IBET: A number of birders have been unable to relocate the four Glossy Ibis at Nelson Lake. A number of other nearby marshes including Carson Slough and roadside fuddles were also checked.

Ann Haverstock on 4/17 reported via e-mail: Yellow-throated warbler, Parula, palm warbler, orange crowned warbler and yellow-rumped warblers present [at west side of Fabyan FP] in A.M.

Chris Mussachio on 4/17 reported via e-mail: 4 Northern Flickers spotted at Tyler Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin on 4/17/12.
 

Northern Flickers photo courtesy Chris Mussachio

Nick Barber on 4/17 reported via IBET: I took my birds & mammals class to Nelson Lake this morning. Highlight was 4 adult GLOSSY IBIS that landed right in front of the observation platform near the east parking lot.

Other highlights: 1 Osprey, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Sora, 3 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Great Horned Owl, 4 Purple Martin, and lots of Swamp Sparrows.

Al Stokie on 4/16 reported via IBET: In the past the Louisiana Waterthrushes found by Scott C along small streams near the Fox River have proved, for me anyway, to be elusive "one day wonders" & never there when I try for them the day after they are seen. But, ever optimistic, Andy Sigler & I tried for the 2 seen by Scott, Mike M & Jeff Smith on Sunday. But, once again, both were elusive & we found neither. What a surprise! [The other places we visited] were very exciting, not so much for the birds seen, but for the problem of trying to walk in open areas with the 30 to 40 mph winds. When the wind is strong enough to actually force you to a stop for a bit then you know this is a serious wind. This also makes it difficult to find & see birds as they don't care to sit up for you to see them in such conditions. Somehow we managed to see some birds & the lists are as follows:

Fabyan Woods F.P. (Kane Co)

Blue Jay (heard), Chickadee (heard), W.B. Nuthatch (heard), Carolina Wren (1 singing loudly), Hermit Thrush (1), Robins (few), Myrtle Warblers (4), Cardinal (heard) & Grackles (few). In the Fox River near the cross-over foot bridge were Mallards & 4 Ruddy Ducks.

Sauer Family F.P. (Kane Co)

American Bittern (1 flew up from the pond reeds & was a new Kane Co species for both of us), Canada Geese (2 flying), Mallards, Green Winged Teal (1), Shovelers, Blue Winged Teal, Hooded Merg (1-F), Sora (1), Killdeer (4), Greater Yellowlegs (4), Solitary Sandpiper (1 FOY for me), Snipe (10-12), Vesper Sparrow (1-F), Savannah Sparrow (c.12), Song Sparrow (few), Swamp Sparrow (few), Red Wings, Eastern Meadowlarks (2 singing), Grackles & Cowbirds. Most looks were quick & not very good due to the high winds.

Darrell Shambaugh on 4/16 reported via IBET: This afternoon [at Grunwald Farm FP] there were 2 female LESSER SCAUP, 2 pair of RING-NECKED DUCKS, and a PIED-BILLED GREBE on the pond. TREE, BARN, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were flying around over the water.

Sue Wagoner on 4/15 reported via e-mail: I shot this photo of the male Cooper's Hawk by my house after he had killed a bird and was calling to his mate. I have never seen one fluff his undertail coverts like this, apparently in preparation for the female's arrival. When she didn't show up, the feathers went down and he ate his own bird!
 

Cooper's Hawk photo courtesy Sue Wagoner

Scott Cohrs on 4/15 reported via IBET: This morning I found a Louisiana Waterthrush in the ravine behind the Kane County Government Center in Geneva. I think this area is officially called Gunnar Anderson, but I could be wrong. For those familiar, it was near the creek next to the little prayer chapel. Also present was a large group of Rusty Blackbirds, Carolina Wren, 4 Greater Yellowlegs and a Solitary Sandpiper.

Earlier in the morning, I spent a half hour trying to locate a bird giving a single chip note creek-side in Fabyan FP (east side). I was convinced it was also a La. Waterthrsuh, but could never get it to show itself. Thankfully, Mike Madsen and others tracked that bird down later in the day. So, that's likely 2 separate birds in relative close proximity. I'm lucky to get just one a year locally. There was also a Carolina Wren on that side of the river, an Ovenbird, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hermit Thrush and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Not sure if the guys had anything in addition to that. Only other birds of note on the morning were a Palm Warbler and Blue-grey Gnatcatcher at the Japanese Garden area.

Seems as though the warm winter was good to the Carolina Wrens. The birds from this morning were the 3rd and 4th that I have had in a week. I struggled for that species last year.

Chris Weishaar on 4/15 reported via IBET: Spent a little more than two hours at the Japanese Gardens/Fabyan Forest Preserve along the west side of the Fox River. It was a fairly productive morning, with a few FOYs for me.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck (two pairs/FOY)
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Red-tailed hawk, who put on a great show while taking a bath in the river
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher, lone male FOY
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker FOY
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue-great Gnatcatcher FOY
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

There were also a couple of accipiters flying through too quickly for me to identify. One other warbler that I was unable to keep the binoculars on long enough to identify, but between the brief glimpse and song, perhaps a Northern Parula.

Marion Miller on 4/14 reported via e-mail: Rich and I birded mainly along the Fox River including Tekakwitha Woods and River Bluff. It was a slow birding day and we worked for the 34 species we saw. Highlights were: Solitary Sandpiper, Eastern Bluebirds, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Swamp Sparrow and a House Wren chattering loudly in a bush along the Fox River.
 

Solitary Sandpiper photo courtesy Marion Miller

Eastern Bluebird photo courtesy Rich Miller

Sue Wagoner on 4/11 reported via e-mail: We had good views of this Greater Yellowlegs on June Kebler's ramble at Jelke Creek Monday April 9.
 

Greater Yellowlegs photo courtesy Sue Wagoner

Al Stokie on 4/11 reported via IBET: Hello Bird People,

Today Andy Sigler & I went to the west to visit...Sauer Family F.P. (7:30 to 9 a.m.)

Not sure how to explain this but the far western pond sections are completely dry & the ponds just east of there are very high. Strange combination!

Bird species seen were Mallards (4-6), Shovelers (10-12), Blue Winged Teal (4), Harrier (1 hunting), Kestrel (1 on phone wire), Killdeer (4), Pectoral Sandpiper (6), Snipe (5-6), Crows (2), Robins (few), Song (8), Savannah (5) & Swamp (4) Sparrows, Red Wings, Cowbirds (2-3) & Eastern Meadowlarks (c.6 singing). We could find no Western Meadowlarks or Vesper Sparrows.

Rich Miller on 4/10 reported via e-mail: Marion and I went out to Carson Slough from 6pm to approx. 7:15pm. At the north end mud flats we saw Greater Yellowlegs; Lesser Yellowlegs; Pectoral sandpipers; Wilson's Sniper. in the deeper water of the south end we saw Green-winged Teal; Blue-winged Teal; Wood ducks; Northern Shovelers. The surprise find of the evening was an American Bittern standing motionless in a field guide pose. (A "lifer" for both of us) We watched him pounce on a frog and consume it. Planning to revisit this spot on Wednesday in hopes of getting a photo.

Ron Dickenson on 4/10 reported via e-mail: A pair of flickers in my front yard this morning.
 

Northern Flickers photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Theresa LeCompte on 4/10 reported via e-mail: Sue S. and I birded Hannaford Woods yesterday and saw our FOY Red-headed Woodpecker. Other highlights were an Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Northern Flicker and Hairy Woodpecker.
 

Red-headed Woodpecker photo courtesy Theresa LeCompte

Marion Miller on 4/9 reported via e-mail: Carson Slough has some mudflats that migrating shorebirds are enjoying. This morning saw 40+ Pectoral Sandpipers, 3 Yellowlegs, 1 Forster's Tern, and 12 Wilson Snipes on the mud. In addition saw 1 Sora, some Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck and 6 Great Blue Herons on or near the water. My guess is there may be more shorebirds, but I only had a short time to check out a portion of the slough. Also went to Johnson Mound and had a nice outing with Gloria D. Highlights were: Barred Owl, Brown Thrasher, 3 Eastern Bluebirds, 3 Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and 2 Eastern Phoebes.
 

Chipping Sparrow photo courtesy Marion Miller

Ann Haverstock on 4/8 reported via e-mail: I heard and saw a couple of Western Meadowlarks on Main St. just West of the I-88 overpass and East of Kaneville. They were working the edge of the Elmhurst/Chicago Stone Co.

Ann Haverstock on 4/8 reported via e-mail: I am pretty sure this is an Easter Sunday Harlan's Hawk. Saw on at N. Lorang Rd and Bateman Rd. Kane Co.
 

Possible Harlan's Hawk photos (above and below) courtesy Ann Haverstock

Eric Secker on 4/8 reported via IBET: Yesterday my wife and I had a BONAPARTE'S GULL along the Fox River at Judson University. Not always an easy bird for Kane Co.

We are also watching a pair of BELTED KINGFISHERS out our livingroom window that look like they may nest in the ravine along Tyler Creek.

Other birds around include CAROLINA WREN, lingering PINE SISKINS, and a few N. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS starting to show up now along with the TREE SWALLOWS.

At Burnidge F.P. yesterday we had a couple PINE SISKINS, both KINGLETS, EASTERN TOWHEES, a WINTER WREN, and NORTHERN FLICKERS.

Marion Miller on 4/7 reported via e-mail: Rich and I visited Carson Slough and Big Rock FP today. We had some nice finds in both areas. At Carson the highlights were 34 Pectoral Sandpipers, 4 Great Egrets, Lesser Yellowlegs and our FOY Sora. Big Rock was beautiful with many Virginia Bluebells blooming. The highlights of the 30 species we saw there were: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Towhee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Brown Creepers.
 

Yellow-rumped Warbler photo courtesy Marion Miller

Tufted Titmouse photo courtesy Rich Miller

Stosh Walsh on 4/7 reported via IBET: Returned to the Mooseheart [Bald Eagle] site, and this time I crossed Randall Road in order to have a better vantage point. Female remains in the nest; the male was on a very nice perch a few yards away, and was kind enough to remain there for all the photos our group desired.

Debbie Wisser on 4/6 reported via e-mail: I took a short, late afternoon walk on the Fox River Trail in South Elgin. The few Yellow-rumped Warblers seen gave me a hint of how difficult it will be to see other Warblers when they start to arrive. It looks like summer already. I also spotted two male Blue-winged Teal very close to the shore, so I got good looks before they saw me and took off across the river. I saw a Carolina Wren near Woodcliff, and an Osprey with a fish was flying near the Stearns road bridge. The Osprey was the first I’ve seen this year.

Jackie Bowman on 4/4 reported via e-mail: Thanks to Barb Rask for allowing us to view the female White-Winged Crossbill at her home in St. Charles Township. This was an Illinois lifer for me and resulted in one of my best photo ops on this species.

Barb Rask on 4/3 reported via e-mail: Hi...just wanted to report a sighting at my home in St. Charles Township. We have one female White Wing Crossbill traveling with a group of Pine Siskins. They have been eating from a thistle sack feeder hanging off the soffit of our house. Feel free to come to our home for a visit. I will be happy to post my address if anyone wants a look. She is not shy or skittish and doesn't seem to mind being viewed. You can contact me at brask60@sbcglobal.net.  (This is a life bird for me)
 

White-winged Crossbill photo courtesy Bob Andrini

Marion Miller on 4/3 reported via e-mail: Rich and I did an early morning check at the marsh on the Main St. entrance to Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve. The marsh was active with 2 Northern Shovelers, 3 Mallards, 11 American Coots, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Pied-billed Grebe and 17 Canada Geese. Around the marsh were 100's of Red-winged Blackbirds, 2 Brown-headed Cowbirds, 4 Eastern Meadowlarks, 3 Song Sparrows, 2 Robins, 1 Northern Cardinal and 1 fly over Great Blue Heron. Also heard were 2 Ring-necked Pheasants.
 

Song Sparrow photo courtesy Marion Miller

Michael Hogg on 4/2 reported via IBET: Jerry Rosenband and I birded parts of Kane and McHenry yesterday.

The highlights were:

- a flock of 10 Pectoral Sandpipers and a fly over Sandhill Crane at a fluddle on the west side of R47 south of Big Timber Rd. in Kane County

- a mixed flock of 3 species of blackbird containing at least 60 Rusty Blackbirds in the wood lot at the corner of N County Line and E County Line in Kane County

Marion Miller on 4/2 reported via e-mail: Took a short walk on the bike path at Fabyan-East in hopes of finding the "elusive" (at least for me) Winter Wren. I "dipped" on the wren but enjoyed a FOY Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Double-crested Cormorant and many Wood Ducks.

Sue Wagoner on 3/30 reported via e-mail: There is a Cooper's Hawk nest in the tree in my neighbors yard. Because I have a large tree in my front yard, it is a good stopping place for the pair. Today the male flew into the tree with a bird (appears to have been a sparrow) and called for his mate. She soon appeared and the lunch was passed. His ulterior motive was soon apparent... suffice it to say I will be looking for chicks in due time.
 

Ron Dickenson on 3/28 reported via e-mail: Mooseheart's Bald Eagles are finally sitting on their nest.
 

Bald Eagle photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Jon Duerr on 3/28 reported via e-mail: Our FOY Winter Wren was working the bike trail edge at Fabyan-east, north of the parking area at 8:45 Wed. AM

Marion Miller on 3/27 reported via e-mail: Photographically shot this phoebe at Lone Grove FP today.
 

Eastern Phoebe photo courtesy Marion Miller

Kurt Frieders on 3/26 reported via e-mail: Sunday saw the first Golden-Crowned Kinglet that I have ever seen in my yard (in Aurora Township). I believe there were two, but only one would give me some really good looks at it. The birds were in the top of a blue spruce tree. Also a single Northern Flicker was calling and displaying in the morning. There was a single Flicker that hung around for about two weeks last year. Comparing my notes, he is about two weeks early if it is the same one.

Marion Miller on 3/24 reported via IBET: Rich and I birded many areas today with some target birds in mind. Here are the highlights:

Nelson Lake, Batavia 6:15a
Quick observation deck check-No Pelicans
Cool to hear 2 Great Horned Owls across the lake
Poor lighting to check out any ducks

Braeburn Marsh, Batavia 6:40a
Sandhill Cranes 2

Brendon Lake on 3/24 reported via e-mail: The Northern Flickers were courting as we entered Johnson's Mound, and while there we spotted a Barred Owl sitting in a tall tree not far from the first curve of the drive-through roadway in the preserve. We returned to Johnson's Mound later and found it in the same spot again.
 

Barred Owl photo courtesy Brendon Lake

Angela A. on 3/24 reported via e-mail: On 3/24 on the west side of the Fox River (between Les Arends and the dam), I spotted 1 pied billed grebe, 2 cormorants, 2 egrets, and 1 muskrat. Within the past week I had also seen 2 wood ducks on this stretch of the trail, but I did not see them today.

Tim Balassie on 3/24 reported via IBET: Just a few FOY sightings that may be of interest. At Lone Grove FP (Perry Rd) I had my 2012 Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher and Rusty Blackbird.

At Sauer Prairie (Lasher Rd) had my 2012 Pectoral and Least Sandpipers.

Bill Koch on 3/22 reported via e-mail: Tim Balassie and I visited Lone Grove FP today. The walk started off slow but soon picked up as I got several FOY birds. First of Year birds included: Yellow Rumped Warbler, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Group of about 15 Rusty Blackbirds, and heard a Carolina Wren. All birds were viewed from the path going around the preserve. 2 Eastern Phoebe were calling loudly near the preserve entrance. 28 Total Species

From there we went out to Sauer Family Prairie Kame. Things were very slow there but a few surprises. A Northern Harrier was cruising the fields as we walked in. Also on the walk in we flushed a single Wilson's Snipe. The usual Eastern Meadowlarks were around but heard no Westerns. The ponds in the back were pretty empty of any type of ducks. The surprise of the outing was finding 5 early Pectoral Sandpipers and 1 early Least Sandpiper in the very back pond on some mud flats. A few of the usual birds were there but otherwise pretty slow.
American Toads were already singing everywhere along with the many Chorus Frogs.

Christopher Cudworth on 3/21 reported via IBET: While doing a pre-dawn ride I took a loop through Johnson's Mound/Elburn. Stopped at the base of the main road/ hill to listen for birds and see what was singing.

The predominant voices were, to my surprise, not robins singing, but Eastern Bluebirds. This was at 6:40 a.m. Barely dawn.

I tried to separate the different birds which was tough, but the fair estimate was at least 10 different birds singing throughout the hillside and bottomland forest. Their voices seemed to be coming in part from lower canopy perches but also from high up in the trees. A very few robins were also singing but I have not heard that many bluebirds singing simultaneously.

Joy Duerr on 3/21 reported via phone: Six pelicans on Nelson Lake at 9  AM.

Marion Miller on 3/19 reported via e-mail: Rich and I went to Prairie Green and Mirador this evening. The highlights at Prairie Green were: FOY Savannah Sparrow, Pied-billed Grebe, and Great Blue Heron. Both male and female Red-winged Blackbirds were in good numbers. At Mirador the numbers were low, the highlights were: Northern Shovelers 17, Ring-billed Ducks 2, Pied-billed Grebe 2, Green-winged Teal 2, and 8 Tree Swallows. This was the first time I saw a breeding adult Pied-billed Grebe. The black chin and throat was very prominent.
 

Savannah Sparrow photo courtesy Marion Miller

Ron Dickenson on 3/19 reported via e-mail: What's for supper? It looks like turtle but I could be wrong.
 

Mooseheart Eagles photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Chris Madsen on 3/19 reported: Nelson Lake had NO PELICANS at 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM today.

Vern LaVia on 3/18 reported via IBET: Went out for an hour to Oakhurst Park (on Fifth Ave. in Aurora, a mile west of Farnsworth Ave.) Mavis Bates wanted to see Wood Ducks...and we got them, along with the following other spring arrivals:

Wood Ducks (9)
Fox Sparrows (20+)
Horned Grebe (1)
Pied-billed Grebe (1)
E. Meadowlarks (4)
Killdeer (1)
N. Shoveler (15)

And Beavers have felled a dozen pretty good sized trees along the banks of
the stream where the water flows out of the lake on the East side of the
lake (near the metal bridge). All those trees were standing ten days ago.

Chris Weishaar on 3/18 reported via IBET: At Dick Young/Nelson Lake today:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
American Coot
Killdeer
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chikadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Robin
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Junco
Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Brown-headed Cowbird

Also stopped briefly at the Japanese Gardens after my day at Nelson Lake.
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Robin
Starling
Song Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe
Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Grackle
House Sparrow

Sandy Olsen on 3/18 reported via e-mail: Thanks to Laura Eastlick’s recent post, my husband and I were able to see the baby owls and Mama nesting in North Aurora. I have attached a pic with one brave baby standing tall, one not so sure and Mama keeping a close eye from behind!
 

Great Horned Owls photo courtesy Sandy Olsen

Chris Madsen on 3/18 reported: At 8:45 this morning, no pelicans. Dick Young Forest Preserve has been hopping with pelican fans, but the stars of the show are disappointing.

Chris Madsen on 3/17 reported: NO pelicans at Nelson Lake today until at least 3 PM.

Chris Weishaar on 3/15 reported via IBET: Was out for just a couple of hours this evening at Dick Young/Nelson Lake west of Batavia. There were two pelicans when I arrived, by the time I left I counted six. Also spotted:

Canada Geese
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
American Coot
Killdeer
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Robin
Fox sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Eastern Meadowlark

Darrell Shambaugh on 3/15 reported via IBET: Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve had about 320 LESSER SCAUP and 60 RING-NECKED DUCKS today.

Rhonda Nelson on 3/15 reported via phone: Two male Eastern Towhees near the northwest corner of the Nelson Lake walking loop.

Rich Miller on 3/15 reported via IBET: Fourteen pelicans at Nelson Lake at 6:30 AM. Eight Sandhill Cranes also present.

Margaret Myers on 3/14 reported via e-mail: There were 11 American White Pelicans this afternoon 3/14 at Nelson Lake. Glad they are back. Looks like they are practicing synchronized swimming.
 

Swimming American White Pelicans photo courtesy Steve Myers

Feeding American White Pelicans photo courtesy Steve Myers

Rich Miller on 3/14 reported via IBET: No pelicans on Nelson Lake as of 6:30 AM.

Ron Dickenson on 3/13 reported via e-mail: The Mooseheart Bald Eagle pair are working on their nest.
 

Mooseheart Bald Eagles photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Mooseheart Bald Eagles photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Kathleen O'Deen on 3/13 reported via e-mail: Spotted way up high over the fox river about 2:30pm near the library in Elgin Sandhill Cranes several groups totalling about 100 or so. Heading North. Great to hear them again!

Diane Hansen on 3/13 reported via e-mail: Observed this Brown Creeper at Nelson Lake on Sunday afternoon.
 

Brown Creeper photo courtesy Diane Hansen

Bob Andrini on 3/13 reported via phone: Twenty-nine pelicans on Nelson Lake this morning.

Karen Land on 3/13 reported via IBET: Went to my doctors office at 7 am this morning for lab work and on the way out we saw 2 sandhill cranes walking along in the small creek that runs between Sam's Club and Wal-Mart in Batavia. This is the stream that feeds into Braeburn Marsh. Sandills have nested in the tall grass that surrounds the Marsh in the past.

Darrell Shambaugh on 3/12 reported via IBET: I stopped at Nelson Lake (Kane County, west of Batavia) about noon today to see Jon Duerr's pelicans. Only one AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was there. There were lots of other good birds. First of the year birds in addition to the pelican were HORNED GREBE and TREE SWALLOW. Waterfowl included

RUDDY DUCK
GREEN-WINGED TEAL
GADWALL
AMERICAN WIDGEON
NORTHERN SHOVELER
RING-NECKED DUCK
LESSER SCAUP
COMMON MERGANSER

A pair of ROCK PIGEONS are building a nest in the silo. SONG SPARROWS are singing, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS abound.

Jon Duerr on 3/12 reported via phone: Eighteen American White Pelicans are on Nelson Lake with a good assortment of other waterfowl.

Laura Eastlick on 3/11 reported via e-mail: My husband and I live at Courtyards Village West on Randall Road in North Aurora. For the past 5 five years, a Red Tail Hawk has nested in the south electrical tower by the pool on the grounds of the complex. On Sunday, March 11, 2012, at approximately 6:00 p.m. we went for a walk to check out the hawk nest to see if there was any activity going on. Much to our surprise, we saw two, HUGE, light brown (with black around the eyes), fluffy baby owls looking at us. The adult peered around from behind the two babies and I was so excited to see these three! I have never seen an owl around here before (I’ve lived here for 10 years; I’ve heard them but have not seen them). We went home and I grabbed my bird book to see what kind of owl it was. The tufts on the adults head should have given it away but I wanted to make sure if was a Great Horned Owl or not.

The babies were HUGE! They were all fluffy and the larger one kept spreading it’s wings out like its getting ready to fledge. The other one just sat there and kept watching my husband and me. The adult was also very interested in what we were doing. We stayed for about 10 minutes and then went home. We never did see another adult, just the one in the nest.

I feel bad for the hawk, a pair has nested there successfully for the past five years. I was surprised at how big the babies were…is it normal for them to be this big at this time of the year? I know we had a mild winter but it seemed odd to have babies so soon.

I am glad they are nesting here but wonder where the hawk ended up. We also have a sharp shinned hawk that hangs around Oberweis Dairy a lot too.

I wanted to let you know in case you wanted to come out and see them. They are doing some electrical work on the north towers, I hope they don’t bother the owls too much.

Karen Land on 3/10 reported via IBET: We pass the Mooseheart eagle nest regularly on our to Woodman's and my partner passes it daily back and forth to work. We have been seeing at least one adult in the nest and today saw one in the nest and one out on a nearby branch. The nest was really blowing around in the 30 mph wind gusts! This is not the man made nest but one the eagles built earlier this year.

Walter Lutz on 3/9 reported via e-mail: 3 groups totaling roughly 150 Sandhill Cranes heading north over west Elgin around 4 p.m.

Then a group of about 80 heading north/northwest at 5:45 p.m. Not much gliding going on with this bunch; they were working hard.

Marion Miller on 3/9 reported via e-mail: On my way home from work today, spotted 8 perched Turkey Vultures off Rt 31, just south of Silver Glen.
 

Turkey Vultures photo courtesy Marion Miller

Shelle Young on 3/9 reported via e-mail: I saw a large male bald eagle this morning around 9:10am flying parallel with Randall Road between Batavia and North Aurora, close to Mooseheart Road. Regrettably, traffic did not allow me slow or stop to take a photo. And I seemed to be the only person who noticed this amazing creature.

Kurt Frieders on 3/9 reported via IBET: This morning while driving down Ogden Avenue I noticed what looked to be a Western Red-Tailed Hawk over Ron Westphal Cheverolet (Oswego). I had to let my dog out anyways, and the bird looked to be heading the direction of my property (Aurora township) so I went home to see if it would show up. So while we played frisbee I kept an eye to the sky, and sure enough the bird showed up and gracefully glided right through the property. I was able to get really long looks at it with my binoculars, as it really was in no hurry. I'm doubtful it will stick around long though as we have a couple of nesting Red-Taileds on the property. However, I sure hope to see it again.

Marion Miller on 3/8 reported via e-mail: As soon as Rich and I got out of our car at 6:05pm in the parking lot of Ferson Creek Fen we heard the “peent” of an American Woodcock. In the 20 minutes that we walked the parking lot turnaround we heard at least 5 Woodcocks, saw 3 great horizontal flybys and at least 8 aerial displays over the open fields with audible twittering. Thanks to Yeanette for her earlier post about these fun birds! On our way to Ferson Fen we spotted 5 Lesser Scaup, 1 Horned Grebe, and 8 Mallards on the Fox River near the tower in Pottawatomie Park.

Darrell Shambaugh on 3/8 reported via IBET: This afternoon at Grunwald Farms, LESSER SCAUP was the most common duck. 130 were on the pond, along with 50 RING-NECKED DUCKS, a COMMON GOLDENEYE, 4 CANADA GEESE, and 2 AMERICAN COOTS. Grunwald Farms is on North Lorang Road, south of Main Street a little bit east of I-88.

Darrell Shambaugh on 3/7 reported via IBET: Today I stopped at Grunwald Farms on my way home from work. I've stopped there three times this week, and had different birds each time. Today the ducks were fewer than Monday and Tuesday, but I had a new species, BUFFLEHEAD. Others on the pond today were LESSER SCAUP and AMERICAN COOTS. Several hundred blackbirds were in a field at the entrance. Species included COMMON GRACKLE, RED-WINGED and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. EUROPEAN STARLINGS were with them, and a KILLDEER flew over...

...I didn't post it yesterday, but Grunwald Farms had a couple of NORTHERN SHOVELERS and about 50 LESSER SCAUP. This week I've seen Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Mallard, Canada Goose, and American Coot there.

Ron Dickenson on 3/6 reported via e-mail: Mooseheart eagles today in their new nest.
 

Mooseheart Bald Eagles photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Mooseheart Bald Eagles photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Darrell Shambaugh on 3/5 reported via IBET: I found some migrants this afternoon on my way home from work. First stop was Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve in Kane County. I had never been here until about two weeks ago, and again last week. It is east of the I-88 overpass on Main Street a couple miles east of Kaneville. Two CANVASBACKS, 40 LESSER SCAUP, and 17 RING-NECKED DUCKS were in the pond...

Marion Miller on 3/5 reported via e-mail: While doing my Project FeederWatch survey, I saw the first ever (that I've observed) Common Redpoll in my Batavia backyard. I was so excited! Even had my camera near and got a few photos through the window!
 

Common Redpoll photo courtesy Marion Miller

Marion Miller on 3/4 reported via e-mail: Rich and I checked out Mirador and Carson Slough between 4:15pm and 5:30pm today. Highlights at Mirador were 7 Hooded Mergansers, 10 Northern Shovelers, 5 Coots and 2 Song Sparrows. Carson Slough highlights: 8 Green-winged Teal, 3 Ring-necked Ducks, 4 Common Mergansers, 6 Hooded Mergansers and 1 Northern Shoveler.

Mary Sullivan on 3/4 reported via e-mail: I took this pic on the Riverwalk in Batavia in mid February.
 

Belted Kingfisher photo courtesy Mary Sullivan

Chris Weishaar on 3/4 reported via IBET: There are approx 12 greater white-fronted geese out on Nelson Lake in Batavia as I post [at noon].

Other sightings thus far:

Northern Junco
Song sparrow (my FOS)
Sandhill cranes x3
White-breasted nuthatch
Mallards
Canada geese
Red-tailed hawk
Blue jay
Cardinal
Common merganser

Marion Miller on 3/3 reported via e-mail: Terry Murray led 10 birders on the monthly walk at Nelson Lake on Saturday. Waterfowl highlights were Ruddy Ducks, Common Mergansers, Wood Ducks and 150 Northern Pintails. Northern Shrike, Bald Eagle, and a Northern Harrier were among the total species count of 24 seen during the “brisk” walk. A Daily Herald reporter joined the group, so be looking for her article and some smiling pictures of a birder or two!
 

Bald Eagle photo courtesy Theresa LeCompte

Michael Tartaglia on 3/3 reported via e-mail: A Northern Harrier was coursing low over the grass just south of Orchard Gateway Blvd, between Randall Rd and JC Penny's, at 10:15 this morning. Got a nice look at it's white undersides, grey head, dark wing tips, white rump. Pretty bird...

Jon Duerr on 3/1 reported via eBird: Sighting 17 Tundra Swans at Sauer Prairie Kame Forest Preserve. In addition he reported 18 White-fronted Geese, 5 Wood Ducks, 2 Gadwalls, 2 Northern Shovelers, and 8 Northern Pintails.

Older sightings available here.