Today 12 birders got together to go on the NCIOS field trip to Franklin Creek and Nachusa Grasslands in Lee County. The trip was led by Kevin Kaltenbach.

Some of the highlights at Franklin Creek were Green Heron, five species of woodpeckers (Hairy, Downy, Red-belly, Northern Flicker, & Yellow-bellied Sapsucker), calling Eastern Towhee and Louisiana Waterthrush (lifer for me, Jennie and my dad).

Louisiana Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush

There were many cool wildflowers out and I actually recognized some (thanks to Barbara and the wildflower walk I went on at Anna Page Park).

Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jack in the Pulpit
Prairie Trillium
Prairie Trillium

At Nachusa Grasslands we had Henslow’s Sparrow calling (and briefly seen) plus great views of Lark Sparrows. A Brown Thrasher was singing from a plum grove and there were several Eastern Meadowlarks.