This page lists sightings for the current month
(or so).
For sightings from April 2006 until now, ple ase
click here
Walt Lutz and Bill Koch on 8/15 reported via eBird: Eight Black Terns at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. Deanna Young on 8/15 reported via eBird: A Swainson's Hawk at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve. ("Black wing tips on underside, triangular shaped tail , white with black outer edge. Soaring over prairie") Little Blue Heron still reported at Mirador ponds on 8/14. Collin Porter & Sidney Ryan on 8/13 reported via eBird: At Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, a Merlin. ("Dark back, streaked underside, tail striping. Seen chasing much larger bird and heard while doing so — notably smaller than accipiters but larger and darker than kestrel.") Kane County Audubon on their Shorebird Extravaganza car caravan on 8/13 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, a Dunlin. ("Grayish shorebird; thicker, black, down-curved bill; some remnants of black belly.") Jay Sturner on 8/13 reported via eBird: At Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve, a Northern Bobwhite ()"Singing intermittently on the far north side of the preserve (either within the park boundary or just outside it). .. Although Kane County is within range of this species, it is possible, even likely, that this is an escaped bird. The last Bobwhite I had in Kane was in the 8Os. Nevertheless, to hear it sing was well worth the visit!" At the same location, Jay also had an Alder Flycatcher ("Offering free beer on the far north side of the preserve. I did not partake, as I do not drink before noon, but I did get audio...") and a Bay-breasted Warbler ("What a jolt of joy this bird gave me! First warbler migrant of the season. Observed foraging low-ish in the trees near the parking lot. Distinguished from fall plumage Blackpoll by buffy undertail coverts, stronger wingbars, and the gray legs and feet, which I saw well in good light.") On 8/12 and
8/13, multiple reports of a Little Blue Heron continue at Mirador
Subdivision ponds.
Ted Hartzler on 8/12 reportewd via eBird: At Big Rock Forest Preserve, a Canada Warbler. "Gray backed. All yellow throat breast and belly. Distinct eye ring. Short black necklace across upper breast" Amanda Parrish & Jeff Aufman on 8/12 reported via eBird: On Burlington Road in Campton Hills, a Red-shouldered Hawk. Brian & Katie Haas on 8/12 reported via eBird: An American Bittern at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. "Stocky brown heron at edge of water amongst brush. Confirmed with Merlin" Justyn Arnold on 8/12 reported via eBird: Two Red-shouldered Hawks at Oakhurst Forest Preserve. "Quickly flew over then perched at the edge of an opening. Called back and forth for a few minutes" Four eBird reports of a Little Blue Heron on 8/11 at the Mirador subdivision ponds. Collin Porter and Sydney Ryan on 8/11 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, a Black Tern. "Small tern seen diving repeatedly. Very dark back extending to tail, lighter wings, and distinct messy black “helmet” extending behind and below eyes" Nathan Goldberg on 8/11 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, the Ring-necked Duck continues. Barb Arens on 8/10 reported via eBird: In the Mill Creek subdivision in Geneva, a Snow Goose. "Blue morph, white head, neck and belly with blue-gray upper parts. Legs were pinkish red." Bob Andrini on 8/10 reported via eBird: A Red-necked Phalarope and a Wilson's Phalarope at the fluddle on County Line Road. Tim Balassie on 8/10 reported via eBird: A Ring-necked Duck at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. Jim Browhay on 8/9 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, A Black Tern "Nonbreeding. Dark gray above, gray underwing. Flying around water 15 minutes after sunrise." and a Red-necked Phalarope "Continuing. Non-breeding, dark gray streaky back, black patch on face, white throat, pointy narrow black bill." Regina McNulty on 8/8 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, a Red-necked Phalarope. "Needle-like bill, gray with white underneath, black eye patch/line..." Kevin Hatcher on 8/8 reported via eBird: In the fluddle on County Line Road, south of Maple Park, a Red-necked Phalarope. Bob Andrini on 8/8 reported via text: American Avocets at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. Bob Andrini on 8/7 reported via eBird: Two White-rumped Sandpipers at the fluddle on County Line Road south of Maple Park, Sandeep Biswas on 8/6 reported via eBird: On the far east side of Batavia, a Broad-winged Hawk. Deanna Young on 8/6 reported via eBird: At Nelson Lake, an Alder Flycatcher. "Lighter brown back and wings with 2 white wing bars, white breast, orange beak with darker streaking on top abd end bottom, thin white eye ring. Heard "free beer" and Merlin also picked up." Graham Deese on 8/6 reported via eBird: A Ring-necked Duck at Muirhead Springs Forest Ptserve. Multiple reports of a Red-necked Phalarope in a fluddle along County Line Road, south of Maple Park. Bill Koch on 8/3 reported via eBird: A Black Tern at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. "Continuing bird viewed off and on- Didnt see until it flew directly overhead. Continued east from main pond" The KCA Ramble group on 8/3 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, a Wilson's Phalarope. "Mainly white bird - phalarope posture. White face with line through eye. Thin bill. Yellow legs" Tim Klimowski on 8/3 reported via eBird: Three American Wigeons at Nelson Lake. "light tan dabbling ducks with black tail" Vince Moxon on 8/3 reported via eBird: At Nelson Lake, a Tennessee Warbler. "Warbler with greenish back, white below with white under tail coverts and white eye stripe." Deanna Young on 7/31 reported via eBird: Also at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, a Black Tern. Lisa Pool on 7/31 reported via eBird: A Wilson's Phalarope at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve continues to produce! Ebird reports of a Black Tern and a Long-billed Dowitcher on 7/29. Helen Bibler
on 7/26 reported via e-mail: A Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest found near Living Well in Geneva.
Laura Bianchi on 7/25 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, a Lesser Scaup. "female, prominent yellow eye on head darker than body; white band across murky grey bill near face, swimming in larger marsh at this site." Lisa Maier on 7/24 reported via eBird: A Red-shouldered Hawk at Binnie Forest Preserve. "Bueto getting harassed by jays and other birds. Calling frequently, flew out from trees by parking lot and into tree near house. Bold black/ white stripped tail, blackish wings with white spots, red wash on shoulders/ back. After several minutes it flew out towards pond." Tim Klimowski on 7/24 reported via eBird: A Common Merganser at Riverside Park in St. Charles. On 7/23, At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve: Numerous eBird reports indicate the Wilson's Phalaropes (counts ranging from 1 to 4) continue to be seen. Also reported at that location, a Long-billed Dowitcher and Ring-necked Duck. On 7/20 multiple eBird reports of Five Western Kingbirds seen at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve on 7/16. John Heneghan on 7/22 reported via eBird: A Yellow-headed Blackbird at Peck Farm Park. "Heard calling on the west side of the pond. Barb Arens on 7/5
reported via eBird: On the river, north of downtown Batavia, four
American Black Ducks. "[They] Look like mallards, but have strong dark
line through the eye with the head darker above. Yellow beaks. Hanging
together. No other ducks near them...Dark eye line is very noticeable in
lead duck." Walt Lutz on 7/4
reported via e-mail: An early morning Great Blue Heron at Jon
Duerr Forest Preserve.
Al Stokie on 7/3 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Presewrve, Two Black-necked Stilts ("Looked for this species all morning without success & then 2 flew by the main pond but landed too close to the vegetation to see. Tried to re-find them with Keith B but could not. Still I had good looks when they flew in although it was a short look.") and a Ring-necked Duck ("One male who ended up swimming with some of the geese.") Keith Bowers on 7/3 reported via eBird: A ( Black Tern at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. "Sitting on the mud in the lake amidst the reeds initially but did fly eventually and was feeding off the surface of the water. Black and gray with longish beak and white vent." Deanna Young on 7/3 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest preserve, a Ring-necked Duck. Lisa Pool on 7/1
reported via e-mail: This Male Yellow-Throated Warbler has been
showing up in my (West Dundee) yard since Mid-May. I was finally able to
get some photos today! (Previously I was posting recordings on eBird).
Jeff Aufmann and Randy Schietzelt on 7/1 reported via eBird: Two Black-necked Stilts ("Continuing Appeared on the front on the island at 8:00.") and an American Bittern ("Flew directly overhead about 30’. Orange brown and streaked.. Black wing tips.") at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. Kieth McMullen on 7/1 reported via eBird: At Carpenter Park, a Red-shouldered Hawk. On 6/1 there were numerous eBird reports of as many as 9 American White Pelicans at Nelson Lake. Jeff Duncan on 5/28
reported via e-mail: A busy day at Nelson Lake Prairie today. There
were several Meadowlarks and Common Yellowthroats along the
limestone path on the north end of the prairie. Along the path on the west
side were more Meadowlarks, several very active and chatty
Bob-o-links, Field Sparrows and at least three Dickcissels.
The were no White Pelicans on the lake so they most have moved on.
Lisa Pool on 5/15
reported via e-mail: Heard and then was
able to get a photo of a Black-throated Blue Warbler in my yard.
Brian Haas on 5/15 reported via eBird: At Corron Farm, a Mockingbird. "Classic call of mixed songbirds others, such as cardinal, sparrows, etc. Cornfirmed on Merlin app." Kent Dahlgren on
5/14 reported via e-mail: Scarlet tanager migrating through Wayne this
weekend.
Scarlet Tanager photo courtesy Kent Dahlgren Brendon Lake on 5/11 reported via eBird: In a fluddle behind the Outpost Tavern near Pingree Grove, a Blck-bellied Plover. "Larger than SEPL with white head and distinct black neck pattern. Back was a bright rufous brown and legs a brilliant red-pink." Walt Lutz on 5/11 reported via eBird: Julie Long on 5/9 reported via eBird: A Worm-eating Warbler at Tekakwitha Forest Preserve. "I was walking on the path near the river. Away from the bridge. Maybe 20 ft from the water. The small warbler landed about ten feet overhead in a small tree. Brownish back and plain breast. Distinctive black and beige/dark creamy stripes of about equal width on the head as distinguished from Palm, ovenbird, waterthrushes or Swainsons warblers. It only stayed a brief time and then flew low into the thick shrubs to the south. I could not relocate it. There were mostly YRWA and PAWA in a loose flock around me. I am familiar with this bird from migration in Fl where we spend March and April." Walt Lutz & Bill Koch on 5/9 reported via eBird: At the Pingree Grove water treatment plant marsh, two American Wigeons. "Late male and female. Both with pale bills. Male had typical white on head with green by eye going to back of head, dark tail. Female mostly plain" Jay Sturner on 5/9 reported via eBird: At a fluddle on Dauberman Road, four Brewer's Blackbirds. "Known location for this species. Three males and one female noted. Males glossy with short, unkeeled tail, pale eye, and straight, thin bill. Tail and bill shorter than grackle. No "rusty" plumage noted. Female unstreaked and brown with dark eye." Brendon Lake, Bill Kock, and Walt Lutz on 5/9 reported via eBird: Four Smith's Longspurs at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. "Flock of longspurs flew over several times. White patches on the upper shoulder of the wings, white outer tail feathers..." Brendon Lake on 5/9 reported via eBird: In a fluddle behind the Outpost Tavern near Pingree Grove, a Bonaparte's Gull. "Young bird, black smudge on cheek, all black bill. White on front of wings in flight." John Heneghan on 5/7 reported via e-mail: We had a Summer Tanager show up Saturday, 5/07/23 in Big Rock, We usually get Scarlet Tanagers, Summer not so much.
Walt Lutz on 5/7
reported via e-mail: Osprey nesting in cell tower by Jon J. Duerr
Forest Preserve.
Jude Vickery on 5/7 reported via eBird: Near the intersection of Keslinger and Peck roads in Geneva, a White-winged Dove. "Flew by within 300' of my truck as I was stopped at the traffic signal at Peck. Rd., and Keslinger Rd., waiting for a green light. Recognized classic shape and coloring as it flew from the North, and first tried to rule out Rock Pigeon with odd coloring. The bird banked a little so that I could see symetrical white, slightly curved stripes bordering the primaries and secondaries on each wing, with primaries and secondaries being darker than body color. Tail was folded while in view and was squared off. Bird flew south and slightly west along Peck Rd, and I lost it before it crossed over the tree line south of the intersection because the traffic light changed. I could not pursue as I was heading north on Peck Rd. and by the time I got turned around I could not relocate." Jeff Duncan on 5/6
reported via e-mail: "The Million Dollar Mile." The Fox River Trail
between Les Arends FP and Quarry Park was lively today. We spotted two
Ospreys perched on trees on the islands, a female Baltimore Oriole,
two Cape May Warblers and a Black-throated Green Warbler. The
Merlin app detected Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Prothonotary and Nashville
Warblers, Northern Perulas, Northern Waterthrush, and Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers. Sadie Dainko & Jason Newton reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, 4 Northern Pin-tails, 2 Black-necked Stilts, 3 Lapland Longspurs, and one Smith's Longspur. Trumpeter Swans were reported at the East Side Sports complex in St. Charles, Nelson Lake, Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, and Pingree Grove Forest Preserve. Deb Dirst on 5/6 reported via eBird: At the St. Charles Township Cemetery on Route 25, a Worm-eating Warbler. "Heard and saw the bird. Call confirmed by Merlin Sound." Walt Lutz & Bill Koch reported via eBird: At the South Elgin dam, two Bonaparte's Gulls. Kent Dahlgren on
5/4 reported via e-mail: The barred owls have hatched in Wayne
and here are a couple of pictures.
John Heneghan on
5/4 reported via e-mail: We had a Savannah Sparrow show up
today. Been a while since we have had one here in Big Rock.
Bill Ahlgren on 5/4 reported via eBird: A Dickcissel at Sauer Prairie Kame Forest Preserve. Bill Koch & Walt Lutz on 5/4 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, two Black-necked Stilts. "Solid Black and White shorebirds. Black along back and back of neck leading to head, White Underneath. Pink legs with thin bills, foraging on water edge..." Bob Andrini on 5/3 reported via eBird: At his suet feeder in St. Charles, a Eurasian Tree Sparrow. "Seen by 2 of us - brown top of head, black chin and obvious black ear spots. Seen on suet for about 3 minutes (not enough time to get camera and take picture). Waited about an hour, but didn’t return." Walt Lutz on 4/30 reported via eBird: 125 Lapland Longspurs continue at Muirhead Springs. "...Still an impressive number here. Hard to get an good estimate but this is probably close if not low." Walt Lutz on 4/27 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, 175(!) Lapland Longspurs. "Shocked to see so many flying about the site. First saw and heard a small group, tried to get some photos then a huge flock flew in. At one point something flushed everything on the site then it was easier to get an idea of how many. Definitely a conservative number. Saw some males in breeding plumage. Have poor photos if necessary." John Heneghan on
4/26 reported via e-mail: We had 16 Purple Finches in Big Rock
at the feeders on 4/26/23, a likely high number here. One of the feeders 11
Purple Finches.
The Semipalmated Plover continues to be reported at the Seavey Road fluddle as of 4/25. Kevin Hatcher on 4/24 reported via eBird: At the Seavey Road fluddle, a Semipalmated Plover. Walt Lutz & Bill Koch on 4/23 reported via eBird: Two Lark Sparrows at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. Bill Koch & Walt Lutz on 4/23 reported via eBird: At Burnidge Forest Preserve, a LeConte's Sparrow. On 4/22, Brendon Lake was the first to report via eBird: One Black-necked Stilt and twenty-nine(!) American Avocets in a fluddle behind the Outpost Tavern near Pingree Grove. Mike Bily on 4/21
reported via e-mail: North of Batavia dam Friday afternoon.
Marion Miller on
4/21 reported vi e-mail: Nice to see the Green Herons are back.
This very vocal heron was on the pond at Needham Woods on Thursday 4/20.
Kent Dahlgren on
4/20 reported via e-mail: First hummingbird of the season in
Wayne today.
Through 4/15, eBird reports continue to place the Yellow-throated Warbler at the Japanese Gardens in Fabyan Forest Preserve. Regina McNulty on 4/13 reported via eBird: At Fabyan Forest Preserve, an Eastern Wood-Peewee. "Heard call several times" Walt Lutz & Bill Koch on 4/13 reported via eBird: Along Chapman road near Burlington, a Swainson's Hawk. "Spotted up high. Long-time location for this species." Kevin Hatcher on 4/13 reported via eBird: At Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, a Yellow-throated Vireo. "Conspicuous bright yellow spectacles, yellow throat and upper chest without streaking and white belly foraging in upper canopy of hardwoods with chickadees." Eric Secker on 4/13 reported via eBird: An Orange-crowned Warbler at the Carpentersville dam. "Singing. Heard only but close. Distinctive warbled trill descending slightly at end." Vince Moxon & Kevin Hatcher on 4/12 reported via eBird: A Least Sandpiper in a fluddle on Dauberman Road. Brendon Lake on 4/12 reported via eBird: In his backyard in Burlington, a Eurasian Tree Sparrow. "Off and on visitor for over a year. Similar to House Sparrow, chestnut brown cap, white cheeks with black spots." Kent Dahlgren on
4/11 reported via e-mail: The Barred Owls are nesting in Wayne.
Not a great picture but if you look closely you can see that the male
brought the female a frog. They are nesting in a large Maple tree along
Brewster Creek.
Walt Lutz on 4/11 reported via eBird: In the early morning at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, had an Eastern Whip-poor-will". Heard distinctive call. Known location for this species for many years." Eric Secker on 4/11 reported via eBird: At Fabyan Forest Preserve, a Yellow-throated Warbler. "Singing in Japanese garden area. Trad. breeding area." Kane County Audubon on 4/11 reported via eBird: Four Least Sandpipers at a fluddle on Rohrsen Road. Sue Schneider on 4/10 reported via eBird: At Oakhurst Forest Preserve, a Gray Catbird. "Definitely a catbird by the creek. All gray, black cap." Graham Deese on 4/8 reported via eBird: At Nelson Lake, a Henslow's Sparrow. "Known breeder here. Just early. Vigorously singing" John Heneghan on
4/7 reported via e-mail: The Wood Ducks have been busy in Big
Rock. So far she had laid 6 eggs. Most mornings when she shows up, the male
is with her. I wondered how the storms this week would affect her showing
up. She was here during the storms. We also had 5 Turkeys walk by
last Sunday 4/02.
Kathryn Patterson
on 4/2 reported via e-mail: I have been seeing some American Coots
in the Depot Pond in Batavia for a few weeks. There were 9 or 10 there this
morning, diving and swimming around. This is the first year I have seen
them around here! Maybe they are common nearby, but I have enjoyed seeing
them and their weird feet.
Walt Lutz & Bill Koch on 4/1 reported via ebird: A Northern Rough-winged Swallow at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve. "Spotted flying about with all the tree swallows. All brownish/grey, quite obvious even at a distance what it was." Bob Andrini on 3/30
reported via e-mail:
Saw
a couple of
Golden-crowned Kinglets
on the [Batavia] Quarry bike trail - also 2
Eastern Phoebes.
Jeff Ward on 3/28 reported via e-mail: The buffleheads are back! Starting this Sunday (4/26), two pairs of bufflehead ducks have been happily plying the main Fisher Farms subdivision pond at Williamsburg Avenue and Fisher Drive on the west side of Geneva right next to the FAA beacon. Brendon Lake on 3/26 reported via eBird: North of Hampshire, a Golden Eagle. "I believe it was an adult. I had an unbelievable experience watching it as it drifted north for about 10 minutes before losing sight of it. Noticeable dihedral in flight, with spaded tail that had a dark band at the end with a whitish base. Golden nape apparent at certain angles, no white on underwings. Many photos obtained." Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve was still hosting the Say's Phoebe as of 3/19. Kevin Hatcher on 3/19 reported via eBird: At Gunnar Anderson Forest Preserve, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow. "Plain brown above and pale below with brownish wash on throat and upper chest." Kent Dahlgren on
3/13 reported via e-mail: There was a large flock of White Pelicans
circling the area of Wayne and South Elgin on Sunday 3/12. Cellphone did
not get a very good picture.
The Say's Phoebe was still being reported on 3/13 via eBird at Muirhead Springs. There were numerous eBird reports of the Say's Phoebe at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve on 3/12. Walt Lutz, Bill Koch, and Kevin Hatcher on 3/12 reported via ebird: A pair of Trumpeter Swans at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve. Walt Lutz on 3/11 reported via eBird: At Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, a Say's Phoebe. Brendon Lake on 3/5 reported via eBird: Two Trumpeter Swans on Percy Road north of Ramm Road. "With 8 of the Tundra Swans. Larger and lacking yellow in the lores. Lores were wider in appearance and the bill was straight and sloping at the top. Forehead had a v shape where it met the bill, as opposed to the more rounded u shape of the tundras." Dan Hayes on 3/5 reported via eBird: A solitary, first-of-year Tree Swallow at Brunner Family Forest Preserve. Multiple eBird reports on 3/5 of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Kaneville Cemetery. Fourteen participants on the KCA Bird Walk saw the Horned Grebe at Nelson Lake. Walt Lutz and Bill Koch reported via eBird: The Eurasian Tree Sparrow continues at the Kaneville Cemetery. Jonathan Schuler on 3/3 reported via e-mail: Went looking for the horned grebe at Nelson Lake. Didn’t see it but looked up and saw 15 white pelicans doing a flyby. It was quite windy, so had good looks as they tipped their wings this way or that. As of 3/2. the Horned Grebe was still reported at Nelson Lake. Jay Sturner on 3/1 was the first to report via eBird: At Nelson Lake, a Horned Grebe. Justyn Arnold on 2/28 reported via eBird: A Broad-winged Hawk at Culver Forest Preserve. "Soaring overhead. Wide white band on tail. Tail was fanned out. Gliding higher than the red tailed hawks and not circling. Out of sight quickly." Jacquie Cobb on 2/27 reported via eBird: At Kenyon Farm Forest Preserve, three Tundra Swans. Walt Lutz on 2/21 reported via eBird: Eleven Tundra Swans at a fluddle on Route near its intersection with Reinking Road. "Seen with scope. Most had the eye standing out from beak with slight curve in the beak. The others resting (all tucked in) I can only assume were Tundra too." Chipping Sparrows were reported via eBird: Justyn Arnold reported 2 at Oakhurst Forest Preserve and Kevin Hatcher had 1 at Carson Slough in Aurora. Kevin Hatcher on 2/20 reported via eBird: A Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Kaneville Cemetery. "The bird was similar to a House Sparrow, but had a rufous cap and black spot on auriculars...This is a known location for this species." Malcolm Finn on 2/20 reported via eBird: At South End Park in Dundee, a Red Crossbill. "Heard it, and I believe to have identified it correctly. I did not see it." Matthew Hejna on 2/19 reported via eBird: Two Trumpeter Swans in North Aurora. Judy Palmer on 2/19 reported via eBird: Two Chipping Sparrows on 2/17 in her yard northwest of St. Charles. "Two small sparrows with coloration of the chipping sparrow and unlike others normally seen at our feeder." Bob Andrini on 2/18 reported via e-mail: At Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles, a Winter Wren. Justyn Arnold and Nick Caltagirone on 2/18 reported via eBird: A lone Ross's Goose at Tanner Trails Park in North Aurora. Nora Bertram on 2/18 reported via eBird: From Gilberts, 24 Tundra Swans flying overhead. Tim Klimowski on 2/17 reported via eBird: Two Rusty Blackbirds on the Geneva spur of the Illinois Prairie Path. "black birds intermixed with red-wings and starlings. Black bodies with yellow eyes." Kevin Hatcher on 2/15 reported via eBird: Two Rusty Blackbirds at Lone Grove Forest Preserve. "A mixed flock of approximately 200 blackbirds in trees were observed. Non-breading male rusty blackbirds were in the flock showing their slender bill, pale iris and pale eyebrow...The flock was primarily common grackles, red-winged blackbirds and brown-headed cowbirds." Kevin Hatcher on 2/14 reported via eBird: Two Rusty Blackbirds at Hannaford Woods Forest Preserve. "Males - Somewhat glossy blackbirds, with an obvious pale iris and thinner bill than common grackle were observed. They were foraging in the wooded swampy area in the southeast corner of preserve." John Heneghan on
2/12 reported via e-mail: Had a pair of Bluebirds today in the
back in Big Rock.
Kevin Hatcher on 2/10 reported via eBird: Five Ross's Geese at the Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora. "Small white geese with black wing tips, rounded head, and stubby bill with blue-gray base were observed." Lisa Poole on 2/8 reported via eBird: Three Trumpeter Swans continue on the Fox River in Carpentersville. Deanna Young on 2/6 reported via eBird: Three Great Black-backed Gulls on 2/4 at the Kimball Street dam/Walton Island Park in Elgin. "Large gull, pink legs, thick black bills, mottled white and brown feathers. Black tail. First winter birds" Walt Lutz on 2/5 reported via eBird: At Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve, 11 Rusty Blackbirds. "Seen (& heard - squeaky wheel call) perched near a KCFP cwd-site where they put out feed (to attract the deer)." Jacquie Cobb on 2/5 reported via eBird: Three Trumpeter Swans at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve. "Flying over the river, first north then south. Long, flat bills and profile. Recently seen further north along river." Heidi Hohman on 2/4 reported via e-mail: This morning still 2 [Trumpeter] swans on the Fox River between the walking bridge and Otto on the west side of the river. Bob Andrini on 2/3 reported via eBird: Two Trumpeter Swans on the Fox River in Carpentersville. "Large swans - black going from eye to bill is very thick (compared to thin line with Tundra)" Walt Lutz on 2/2
reported via e-mail: At Hoscheit Woods Forest Preserve north of St.
Charles, a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk.
Bob Andrini on 2/2 reported
via e-mail: At the Leland Building in downtown Aurora, a Peregrine
Falcon.
Kane County Audubon on 2/2 reported via eBird: On a Ramble at Kaneville Cemetery, a Eurasian Tree Sparrow. Scott Cohrs on 1/23 reported via eBird: At his home west of Geneva, six American White Pelicans. "Fly-overs heading west. Huge white birds with large orange/yellow bills and black primaries/outer secondaries. Not uncommon in the county during certain times of the year, but this is the first time I’ve seen them locally in January." Kevin Hatcher on 1/23 reported via eBird: At the intersection of Seavey Road and Route 47, 25 Rusty Blackbirds. John Mullins on 1/15 reported via e-mail: This morning Jan 15 a Bald Eagle in tree on island behind Hemmens Auditorium in Elgin. Deanna Young on 1/15 reported via eBird: At Ferson Creek Park in St. Charles, a Trumpeter Swan. "Large swan, black bill, no sloping into bill. Small orange dot on side of bill. Mixed in by Canada geese on Ice." Since the first of the year, there have been numerous reports of three Tundra Swans on the river in Geneva. Older sightings available here. |
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