North Central Illinois Ornithological Society

Lee & Linda Johnson reporting via Ken Frey:

There is a possible immature Trumpeter Swan on the north side of Oliver Road, roughly in the area below.

I drove from Pecatonica to Ridott this morning along Blair Road to Maize Road to River Road. From Ridott, I headed to Neiman Pond, which is on the north side of US 20 east of Freeport, at the north end of Springfield Road, which is the intersection at the Kelly Springfield Tire company. To get there, turn right at the intersection, recross US 20 and drive to the end. Be careful not to enter private property, which is posted. View from the road.

Had 5 species of geese and 18 species of ducks. Highlights were 2 Ross’ Geese in flooded fields east of Freeport and west of the Kelly Tire plant. Rock City Road north of Ridott, and River Road for 1/2 mile east of Rock City road, had 365 White-fronted Geese, 35 Green-winged Teal, 13 Canvasbacks,
5 Redheads, 24 Common Goldeneyes, 6 Buffleheads, 1 Greater Scaup, 34 Lesser Scaup, 67 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Black Ducks, 19 Gadwall, 18 Am. Wigeons, 60 N. Pintails and 2 N. Shovelers, in addition to Canada and Cackling Geese, plus dozens of Mallards. Sandhill Cranes were calling along River Road.

At Nieman Pond, there were more White-fronted Geese (250), 1 Snow goose, 24 Green-winged Teal, 81 Canvasbacks, 8 Redheads, 42 Common Goldeneyes, 3 Buffleheads, 4 Greater Scaup, 23 Lesser Scaup, 105 Ring-necked Ducks, 4 Black Ducks, 22 Gadwall, 18 Am. Wigeons, 49 N. Pintails, 2 N. Shovelers, 3 Hooded Mergansers, 17 Common Mergansers and 6 Ruddy Ducks.

11 Bald Eagles (4 A, 7 i) were along the river and over the ponds.

120 Rusty Blackbirds were among a large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds on Blair Road near Pec Wetlands FP. Howard’s farm had more White-fronted Geese and soem Wood Ducks, plus more Pintails and Wigeon.

Ken Frey called the Rockford calling tree this morning and reported a Snowy Owl near I-43 in southern Wisconsin.

Take I-43 toward Milwaukee to the Clinton exit at Hwy 140. Exit north on 140 to Highway 14. Turn right and proceed about 3-4 miles to a pipeline construction site. with dirt piles. The bird was sitting on a dirt pile at the construction site.

I took a drive through Rock Cut SP at noon today. The east end of Pierce Lake has open water, but not enough to reach the Lions Club fishing pier. There was a nice assortment of waterfowl in the open water. I saw 4 Gadwall, 2 Am. Wigeon, 1 GW Teal (male), 11 Ring-necked Ducks, a male Greater Scaup, a male C. Goldeneye, and 2 male Hooded Mergansers, plus about a dozen Canada Geese and both Herring and Ring-billed Gulls eating dead fish out of the ice.

On the way to the pier, a flock of WW Crossbills flew in from the north side of the lake and then took a turn toward the stand of White Pines to the west along the main loop road. After I left the ducks, I drove back along the loop road to the next picnic area, parked in the lot, and walked back along the road to the east. The White Pines here are loaded with cones. I found 45 WW Crossbills there, along with a small number of Pine Siskins (10) and at least 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches.

A Field Sparrow called from the brushy area to the south of the parking lot by the Lions Club Fishing Pier.

Dan

Lots of RWBB out at the Pec Wetlands along Blair Road on Sunday.  Only saw males.

Barbara and I found 4 WW Crossbills at Greenwood cemetery after breakfast this morning. They were quietly feeding in the hemlocks around the vault named “Buck” in the second circle north of the chapel. Also present were a number of Pine Siskins and Red-breasted Nuthatches.