Approximately 3000 Cackling Geese were in a flock of 5500-6000 white-cheeked geese at the Rochelle Intermodal ponds today (11/27) around 11:15 a.m. Also in the flock were 2 Ross’ Geese, 1 Snow Goose (maybe 2) and 1 blue morph Snow Goose.

At Shabbona Lake SP in DeKalb Co. 2 Black Scoters are still in the area of the lake near the dam. Go to the end of the road where the trail leads to the dam and follow the trail out on to the dam for about 100 meters, then look back to your left into a shallow cove several hundred yards out along the west bank of the lake. Black Scoters have been in this area of the lake since November 8. Also on the lake were 23 Hooded Mergansers, plus a smattering of diving and puddle ducks. A Horned Grebe was in the northeastern bay of the lake, which is accessed by parking at the boat launch in the campground and walking the trail out to a point where you can look east.