Michelle Drawz on 6/29 reported via e-mail: Spotted a pair of sandhill cranes with a baby crossing Rt. 30 in sugar grove yesterday. Also we have a great horned owl living on our property. It sounds like a goose when it is guarding territory at night. The pellets we find are fun to explore.

Jackie and Chris Bowman on 6/28 reported via e-mail: When June birding is slow what do you do? You look for bugs of course. Couldn't miss this giant of a moth at Peck Farm Park, on Wednesday June 27. Did you know the Cecropia Silkmoth only lives two weeks, never feeds, and will fly up to 7 miles to find a mate? There are only one or two flight cycles in the Midwest, so seeing one is very limited.
 

Cecropia Moth photo courtesy Jackie Bowman

Jen Waters and Jason Newton on 6/28 reported via eBird: Seeing a Peregrine Falcon on Wednesday evening in downtown Aurora. "Large, dark falcon with proportionally broader-based wings than a merlin or kestrel. Angrily calling and swooping at a red-tailed hawk perched on top of the Leland tower."

Diane Hansen on 6/24 reported via e-mail: After participating in the KCA work day at Dick Young/Nelson Lake Saturday I stayed and walked around a little.

As I went west of post 13 I heard something I didn't recognize and stopped to record it only to realize that the bird was right there in front of me.

This was my best look ever at a Dickcissel.
 

Dickcissel photo courtesy Diane Hansen

Christopher Cudworth on 6/15 reported via IBET: I consistently ride my road bike on a long section of the Virgil Gilman Trail from Orchard Road west to Bliss Woods.

The birds heard here are some species whose breeding populations depend on the specific habitat of this area, which includes streambanks, brushy woodlands and fully mature woods on glacial kame. There are also several ponds and wetlands along the way.

The consistent list of birds heard or seen in the last few rides over the past two weeks include:
 

I plan to take a mountain bike and go more slowly with my camera as well to record some of these species and more. Very likely prothonotary warbler and chestnut sided in this zone. Add on the actual depth of Bliss Woods at the west end of the trail and it is one of the richer habitats you'll find for birding in south-central Kane County.

Andrew Pappas on 6/14 reported via e-mail: Hello. We have id'd an adult Great Horned Owl family that have made our subdivision and surrounding area their residence and feeding ground. The Conservancy in Gilberts

Theresa LeCompte on 6/14 reported via e-mail: Sue Schneider and I were surprised to find 13 American White Pelicans at Nelson Lake this morning. 12 were spotted at 9:23 am and appeared to be resting. Another flew in just minutes later. By 10:08, all had taken off except for one.

John Heneghan on 6/14 reported via e-mail: The 7 Flickers in our box in the yard are close to fledging. They are in tight quarters. One has been hanging out in the hole quite a bit. Heard it call similar to an adult, higher pitch. I am guessing a few more days and they will leave the box. Big Rock
 

Northern Flicker nestlings photos courtesy John Heneghan

Glenn Perricone on 6/14 reported via eBird: The Blue Grosbeak(s) continue on the Kane County side of Fermilab. "Singing male HO in Arbor Day plot, A historic nesting location for the species."

Jason Newton on 6/12 reported via eBird: An Alder Flycatcher at Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve. "Singing in the NW corner of the shrubland."

Jon Duerr on 6/12 reported via eBird: Found a Lark Sparrow at Sauer Family Prairie Kame Forest Preserve. "singing continuously, clear brest w/ spot, head striped"

John Henghan on 6/9 reported via e-mail: The Flickers that nested in my yard box in Big Rock are doing well. 7 Flickers 2 weeks along. Also the first Blue Jay fledge has left the nest. The nest is about 30 feet from the Flicker box. I thought this might be a problem, not so far. Both first time yard nesters.
 

Northern Flicker nestlings photo courtesy John Heneghan

Blue Jay fledgling photo courtesy John Heneghan

Amanda Parrish on 6/6 reported via eBird: An American Bittern at Pingree Grove Forest Preserve. "Flyover, too large to be a green heron, flying with deliberate, slow wingbeats in a “heron” like position, couldn’t see colors because it was back lit"

Jay Sturner on 6/4 reported via eBird: Hearing a King Rail on 5/31 at Sauer Family Prairie Kame Forest Preserve. "Probable female kek-churring for a mate. Called for the entire duration of my visit. I recorded nearly ten minutes of audio, but for whatever reason my phone only succeeded in getting one usable instance of the vocalization. I could hear the bird just fine by ear, but my phone's recorder seemed to filter it out."

Scott Cohrs on 6/2 reported via eBird: Seeing a Blue Grosbeak on Friday at Dunteman Sod Farm in Kaneville. "Singing bird. Known to frequent this location in the past."

Shelly Windett on 6/1 reported via eBird: In downtown Aurora, a Peregrine Falcon. "Seen from bridge swooping over Fox River onto ledge of Aurora City Hall building. Peregrines have been seen roosting on the Leland Tower/Hotel in prior years. A nest box was placed on top of the Leland Tower in hopes of attracting a nesting pair. The Leland Tower is located across the river, west of City Hall..."