North Central Illinois Ornithological Society

5 hearty souls went on the field trip to Deer Run Forest Preserve on Sat. April 28. 59 bird species were observed. Birds of note: 2 Blue-winged Teal, 7 Wild Turkeys, 2 Sandhill Cranes, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, Tree Swallows, N. Rough-winged Swallow and Barn Swallows, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, E. Towhee, 8 Sparrow species- Chipping, field, Lark-(Scoped from 20 feet), Savannah, Grasshopper, Song, Swamp, White-Throated, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, N. Oriole.
Some wind- about 20-30 MPH, little rain and a delightful 45-8 degrees .

Jack Armstrong

On Tues. afternoon, Joyce and I found a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Bald Eagle, numerous Field Sparrows, a bushel of Red Admiral butterflies, a Bluebird, and a N. Mockingbird (between the bridge on the east side and mile marker .25.

Jack Armstrong

this is a test post to check all is working.

Today as Lisa Weckerly and Charles Johannsen were walking the picket line at Marsh School Mississippi Kites were flying over. Phone report from Charles.
Keep up the good work Lisa and Charles.

Jack Armstrong

A large number of Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows, and some Phoebes have arrived. Two Turkeys were spotted at the corner of East State and Mulford on Monday. The Pasque flowers are up at Bell Bowl Prairie. Spring Beauties, Dutchman Breeches, and Bloodroot are blooming at Killbuck Forest Preserve.

Jack Armstrong

While at the Severson Dellts outing at Pecatonica Forest Preserve last evening, a woodcock was observed displaying. The sun had set and the group was walking in the prairie. Jack Armstrong

Today- Tuesday, at 2:30 Joyce and I found a Northern Shrike at the Olson Lake Entrance to Rock Cut State Park. We did not see any unusual gulls on the lake- only Herring and Ring-Bills. Ducks were- Ring-necked, Scaup, Canvasback, and Mallard. There were a few Canada geese also.

Jack Armstrong

Joyce and I walked along the path at Blackhawk Springs on Sunday morning. We found about 8 Yellow-rumped Warblers near the area where the path goes down the hill by the small island in the big bend of the river. Also, seen were 2 bluebirds, 4 Cedar Waxwings, 2 Robins, chickadees, White-breasted nuthatches, cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Juncos, Red-tailed Hawks, and Canada Geese.

Jack Armstrong

Steven Servantez will present a program on the basics of bird photography at 7:00 PM tonight- 2-15-2012 at Just Goods 201 7th St. He is the staff photographer for The Iowa State Veterinarian magazine. His pictures have been published in Wisconsin Trails magazine and Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Program is free. Sinnissippi Audubon Soc. Jack Armstrong

Joyce and I checked the area around Page Park School for Crossbills and Redpolls. None were found, but on the way home, we cruised through Greenwood Cemetery. A Merlin was perched in the large deciduous tree next to Easley’s tall monument gravestone just north of the hemlock trees near gravestone for Emersons. The bird was seen about 11:30 on Monday 2-6-2012.
Jack Armstrong