Heard a calling bluebird around the house, so I decided to take a drive and look around the Pecatonica area today from 2-4 p.m. Found 3 Northern Shrikes (Fish Hatchery Rd. just E of Four Lakes FP, Pec Wetlands FP (just opposite the parking lot for the wetland restoration on Blair Rd, and another on the Stephenson County side of the intersection of Blair and Goeke Rds), 4 Rough-legged Hawks, several pairs of E. Bluebirds, including a pair hunting for food in the open patches of water w/vegetation on Blair Rd. near the wetland restoration parking lot. A pair of Sandhill Cranes was flying and calling at the same spot, as was a Blue Jay imitating a Red-shouldered Hawk, and a small flock of 7 Song Sparrows and a pair of cock Pheasants.

Mammal highlights were a living possum on the side of the road (at the spring on Blair Rd. in Pec Wetlands FP) and a squirrel (deceased) in the talons of an adult Red-tailed Hawk in the same general vicinity on my return trip.