Jon Duerr on 5/30 reported via e-mail: The Bell's Vireo (2) are back but no Chats nor Orchards.  Had a great look at a Mourning W. (not that other one) on bike trail crossing Ke-De-Ka Road between Bliss FP and Waubonsee. No other warblers except the yellow.

Bob Andrini on 5/27 reported via e-mail: On Peck Road between Campton Hills Rd on the north and Rt. 38 on the south, there is a fuddle (puddle in a field)  -  on the west side of the road.  In that fuddle there are: Semipalmated Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Killdeer, Blue-winged Teal, and Dunlin.  If you still need some sandpipers for this year, it may be worth a stop.

Eric Secker on 5/27 reported via IBET: This afternoon we checked a couple spots in Kane County and NW DuPage.  At the Kaneland Fluddle on Keslinger Rd. near the high school and intersection with Dauberman Rd. (west of Rt. 47):
Shorebirds seen included 2 DUNLIN in nice breeding plumage, 2 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 3-4 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, and KILLDEER.
Also, on Keslinger Rd. just west of Route 47 we saw a COMMON NIGHTHAWK flying around and we were quite surprised to see a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE fly up from the barn at the corner and down into a field on the north side of Keslinger (a new Kane Co. bird for us!)
At Tri-County State Park (on Sterns Rd. west of Route 59 and east of Dunham Rd.) we checked out the marsh north of the parking lot (look for the tall trees with nesting Great Blue Herons).
One YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was quite visible and vocal.  We also got a lucky lengthy glimpse of the COMMON MOORHEN working around in the east end of the marsh among the cattails.  The two MUTE SWANS are also still present at the marsh as well as PIED-BILLED GREBES, BANK SWALLOWS, and GREEN HERON.  Yesterday, I went out with Pete Moxon in the evening and had at least six male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS at the marsh including at least three or four that were easily visible (around 6PM or 6:30PM in the evening).  At least 8-12 MARSH WRENS have also been singing at the marsh (more reliable later in the evening).

Jon Duerr on 5/26 reported via IBET: I was very pleased to find a full compliment of grassland bird species on the prairie recreations here. I counted 10+ Dickcissels, Grasshopper, Savannah, Vesper, Song and Henslow Sparrows, 12+ Bobolinks, E Meadowlarks, Sedge Wrens, C.Yellowthroats and Red-wings. Only heard 4 Henslows. I am pleased to find this response since these fields were corn crops just 8 years ago. This area is the west side of preserve. Walk around the lake and when crossing the bridge, continue north through the grass along a utility road.  Dick Young FP west of Batavia on Nelson Lake Rd.

Scott Cohrs on 5/24 reported via IBET: Mike Madsen and I spent most of the day Tuesday trying to amass a large Kane County list and get him a few new county birds.  In the end, the birding turned out to be rather lackluster.  But there were a few highlights that I'll list below:

Barred Owl - Big Rock FP
Wild Turkey - Big Rock
Virginia Rail - Nelson Lake, Carson Slough, Rutland FP
White-rumped Sandpiper - Drainage pond on Peck Rd. and Kaneville HS
fluddle
Baird's Sandpiper - Kaneville
Dunlin - Kaneville
Wilson's Phalarope - Kaneville
Hooded Merganser - Carson Slough
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - back woods at Aurora West
Olive-sided Flycatcher - Aurora West
Clay-colored Sparrow - Aurora West
Canada Warbler - Les Arends and Aurora West
Prothonotary Warbler - Territorial bird at Ferson Creek Fen

On a side note, could those that saw the MacGillivray's Warbler on Monday please drop me an e-mail if you get a chance?  I'd like to have it for my records and documentation.  I know of at least 5-6 people who saw the bird, and have talked to 2 of them.  I would appreciate any further info.
I would like to apologize that I didn't get the word out even sooner than I did.  Unfortunately I didn't see the bird until later in the day Sunday.  I did call my friend Jon immediately, as I knew he was close enough that he might have a chance at it that same day.  By the time I then got home and had a chance to send the post that evening, the day had gotten away from me.  I certainly hope the late hour didn't hinder anyone from looking for it on Monday.  Thankfully the bird did stick around at least one more day. 

Anthony Friend on 5/22 reported via IBET: The MCGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER at Hampshire FP in NW Kane Co. made two brief appearances, one for Ann Haverstock, and one for myself, at around 1:45 pm this afternoon.  It was seen low on either side of the grassy path that runs to the east of the junction mentioned in previous posts.

Joan Bruchman on 5/22 reported via IBET: Thanks to Scott Cohrs I have added another bird to my IL list. I arrived at Hampshire FP at about 9:15am and went right to where Scott discribed seeing the bird. I was there for only about 5 min. when I heard the loud "chink" of the birds chip call. Out it popped and landed in a pine tree on a low dead branch. This gave me a great, although short, look to study the field marks. No doubt this is a MacGILLIVRAY'S. The bold broken eye-arcs and black lores on the gray hooded head were very visable. Thanks again Scott!

Julie Long on 5/21 reported via e-mail: There was a mourning warbler still at my house tonight at 7:30 PM. There had been 2 in the morning. He was in the neighbors hedge across from my mailbox. He sounds somewhat like a thrush. I live at 4N179 Thornly Rd., St. Charles if anyone wants to check it out.

Scott Cohrs on 5/21 reported via IBET: There definitely seemed to be a small movement of birds today in NW Kane County.  By far the bird of the day was a MacGillivray's Warbler that I found at Hampshire Forest Preserve.  I found the bird in some low shrubs just north of the horse trailer parking at the spot where 2 paths intersect in a T.  If you take the main drive into the park, follow the drive to the back parking lot.  The spot is just north of where the road makes a sharp left.

When I first saw the bird, I immediately thought 'Mourning Warbler'. However, I quickly noticed the white eye arcs and began studying the bird in detail.  I noted the incomplete white eye ring and dark lores on this bird.  Though it was a skulker, I was able to obtain good looks over the course of several minutes.  While I do realize Mourning Warblers can rarely show some white around the eye, I do not believe this is a case of mistaken identity.

Hampshire Forest Preserve is located on Allen Road, just west of Route 20.  It is about 3 miles west of Route 47.  Some may remember this as the site of the Evening Grosbeaks and Spotted Towhee over the past couple years.

Other highlights at Hampshire included Canada, Mourning, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided and Magnolia Warblers, as well as the more common species.  Thrushes were quite prevalent, with good numbers of the 4 expected species.

Burnidge FP was also quite birdy earlier in the day.  Highlights along the path from the back parking lot include a female Black-throated Blue, Hooded, Black-throated Green, Bay-Breasted, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia and
Golden-winged Warbler.  Thrushes were also found in good numbers at Burnidge. 

The Sawinson's Hawk appeared to be on vacation today, as I also missed it during approx. 45 minutes of waiting.  Of course, I am not that patient...  It could have flown over while I was refueling in the Jewel Starbucks.

Steve Huggins on 5/21 reported via IBET: Another great day out today with Wouter Faveyts, Matt
Fletcher and Vic Beradi. Spent 3+ hours at Huntley mall only for the Swainson's Hawks to disappoint and never show despite nice weather and a bunch of raptors to keep us busy.

Huntley Outlet Mall 9.30am til 12.00pm and again at 3.00 till 3.45pm: Swainson's Hawk - no show!, Bald Eagle - 1 imm, Broad-winged Hawk - 2, Red-tailed Hawk - 6+, Coopers Hawk - 3.

Rutland Forest Preserve, Huntley 1.00pm til 3.00pm: Canada Warbler - 3+, Bay-breasted Warbler - 5+, Black & White Warbler - 4, Tennessee Warbler - 4, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 5+, Magnolia Warbler - 15, Blackburnian Warbler - 4, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1, BT Green Warbler - 6, American Redstart - 15+, Ovenbird - 1, Northern Waterthrush - 1, Wilson's Warbler - 2, Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5, Gray-cheeked Thrush - 10+, Swainson's Thrush - 10+, Veery - 2, Wood Thrush -1, Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1, Red-headed Woodpecker - 2, Philadephia Vireo - 2, Blue-headed Vireo - 5+, Red-eyed Vireo - 10+.

Karen Land on 5/18 reported via IBET: I have been seeing "dark spots" darting through my yard (just west of the Fox River in Batavia) all morning and with the sun going in and out of the clouds, it's been hard to really see what they were. They returned a short time ago when the sun was bright and I was able to ID one male Indigo bunting, not sure what the other three are because they stayed back in the darkness of the bushes. Oddly enough, I checked back in to my records and noted I had a male and female at my water dish last year on May 13 and the year before on May 22.

Jon Duerr on 5/17 reported via e-mail: The Wilson Phalaropes can still be found at Kaneland School detention plus 2 more were found behind the car dealerships on Orchard Rd, No. Aurora. Drive the newly constructed road into the constructed detention areas. Scan these for the birds.

Julie Long on 5/16 reported via e-mail: Jon, Joy, and I had 2 black terns about 4 PM, May 16, on the Fox River at Seba park.  A half hour earlier I had 7 white terns at the prairie St. bridge. I am leaning toward them being forsters but did not get a positive id. I had one white one early in the day at Ferson Creek Fen, but did not get to id it either.

Scott on 5/15 reported via e-mail: There was a Black Tern at Pillsbury all day. As I was coming home around 6, it was perched on a dead willow about 15 feet off shore.  Cool bird. 

Bob Andrini on 5/15 reported via e-mail: There are 4, 2 pair. W(ilson's) Phalaropes at Kaneland HS detention pond at 11:45 Sunday. Best viewing from Klessinger/Dauberman intersection.
 

Bob Andrini on 5/10 reported via e-mail: Had a chance to briefly walk at Norris this morning.  Still not too much variety, but there were a few warblers.  Chestnut-sided were numerous, and I had a nice look at an Orange-crowned in the hedge at the bottom of the hill.  There were also two Yellow-throated Vireo.  Best birds were the 2 Prothonotary Warblers.  One could be heard singing from across the river at the mouth of Ferson Creek.  The other bird was further north along the trail at Norris.  These birds are the 6th and 7th Prothonotary I have seen thus far this spring, and I haven't really gotten out much.  I only had one last year.  I am not sure what happened last year, but they seem to be more numerous again this year.  

Julie Long on 5/07 reported via e-mail: There are some assorted shorebirds in the newly made large pond being developed for the new subdivision on Pouley Rd, south of Keslinger. I had both yellowlegs, spotted, solitary, semipalm. plover, dunlins, peeps, etc. today.

On 5/03 the Andrini informal weekday ramble (sans Andrinis) had a Prothonotary Warbler, Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole as notable sightings at Lippold Park (Route 25 south of Batavia).  The warbler was seen flitting about on an island slightly north of the north end of the parking lot.  The heron was also on the island.  The sandpiper was working the shore of both the island and the park.  The grosbeak and oriole were observed along the bikepath.

Arlene Koziol on 5/03 reported via IBET: Tues., May 2, 2:45 pm. Joan Bruchman and some of the Tuesday Morning Birder's went on an outing to the Huntley Prime Outlet Shopping Mall, Mc Henry County.  (Editor's note: The Huntley Mall is actually located in Kane County.)  We situated ourselves in the NW corner of the parking lot.  At 2:45 pm, a Swainson's Hawk soared over our heads.  It came from the NW, and soared to the SW.  We all got long looks at this magnificent bird for about 5 minutes.