Birding the morning with Tim Young. We wanted to start at Pecatonica Wetlands but the gate was locked past 630 so we headed to Pecatonica Forest Preserve where the gate had just been unlocked.

Highlights at Pecatonica: calling Barred Owl, Yellow-throated Warbler (at intersection of road to campground and road to the main parking lot), a couple Blue-winged Warblers (one who was photogenic), singing Prothonotary Warbler along the river, several Wood Ducks, Broad-winged Hawk, Warbling Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Gray Catbird.

Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler

After a long hike we returned to Pecatonica Wetlands which was thankfully open for business. Highlights there:

Red-headed Woodpecker in the wetland area beyond the creek crossing, a pair of Hooded Mergansers, Bald Eagle (2 separate flyovers which could have been same bird), two Solitary Sandpipers (together), yellowlegs species, and more Wood Ducks.

Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker