Mike Tartaglia on 9/28 reported via e-mail: Thursday 9/26 presented ideal conditions for an afternoon of yard work, sunny calm 70 degrees, prior to the subsequent deluge. Afterward, for an hour from 4-5 pm, I was treated to a very active Nashville Warbler who was feasting on insects in my “Yarden Of Weeden”. It particularly favored the prolific Golden Rod and Common Mullein that have colonized my flower beds this year, in North Aurora within a mile Southeast of Red Oak Nature Center. My previous (and first) sighting of this bird here was on May 12. Both Thursday and today, every plant I touch emits a cloud of tiny insects.

Marion Miller on 9/23 reported via e-mail: Thank you to those who got wet with us!

The 5th Annual KCA Chimney Swift Sit brought 15 participants, estimated 690 Chimney Swifts and many raindrops. Most stood under umbrellas, a few sat in their cars, but despite getting wet the show was enjoyed. The flying group of Swifts started out with about 125 which grew quickly. Even as the rain started to come down heavier, the Swifts did not want to go to roost. First went in at 6:39p. It was interesting to watch the tight circle of Swifts move from going around the chimney to circle around the lighted playground area and then the nearby trees. Perhaps there were still some flying bugs in those areas. We could not believe the Swifts continued to fly as the rainfall increased. Jokingly it was suggested maybe the Swifts were counting us and waiting for the final person to get in their car and leave before they went to roost. But 14 “wet” Sit participants remained to see that last Swift go to roost at 7:12p.
 

Gary White on 9/20 reported via e-mail: Black-billed Cuckoo at Rd Oak Nature Center; first sighted on north end of Dolomite trail, photo from just off the south side of observation deck this afternoon.
 

John Heneghan on 9/!4 reported via e-mail: Saw a Pileated fly into Rich Harvest Farms golf club today, 9/13/19. On Dugan 1 mile south of Rt 30. Close to our house and Big Rock FP. 

Kane County Audubon on 9/7 reported via eBird: On the first-Saturday -of-the-month bird walk at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve, a Sanderling.

Jay Sturner on 9/4 reported via eBird: At Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve, a King Rail. "Gave distinctive "k-kerrr" call five times, though not as emphatically as I've heard the call in the past, which leads me to believe it was an immature. Called from deep within the cattails; not seen. An attempt to get audio failed due to distance and wind. Did not respond to playback. Probably a migrant, as no evidence of breeding King Rails have been found at this location in many years. This is the third King Rail I've come across in Kane County this year (the other two were in the spring)."

Michael McNamee on 9/1 reported via eBird: Seeing a Red-necked Phalarope at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve: "small swimming bird picking food erratically from surface, whitish face and neck with black ear patch, very thin bill, streaked gray back, north end"