Sun 29 Apr 2007
Jennie, Dakota, and I birded at Pecatonica Wetlands on Sunday morning and heard a bird that we matched up with the iPod to Connecticut Warbler. Unfortunately, with work and school we most likely won’t be able to return until Friday morning. We are asking any birders that have time to go and check it out.
The location is as follows: Parking lot off of Pecatonica Road near the bridge. Take the trail west and follow it until it splits; take a left and follow the gravely road until you get to a water control device that will be on the right. The bird was calling in this general area back in the wetland area on this side. If you reach the hunting club area on the left, you’ve gone too far. Obviously the bird most likely has moved, but the area was loaded with birds. We’re not sure how far in miles this is but it’s a fairly good hike.
We saw and heard a Golden-winged Warbler near the parking lot, plus other warblers, so your trip to the wetlands will most likely turn up something wonderful! Good luck if you go and try and get a photo or other documentation. We had no idea that it was really early for this species or we would have videoed the sound. This would be a record arrival date for this area.
Please keep us posted if you head out! Thanks!
May 2nd, 2007 at 10:33 am
I agree with Eddie that this is a terrific spot to bird. Barbara and I found a pair of Brown Creepers feeding fledged young a few years ago. Prothonotary Warblers are in the swampy areas, and there is a nice mix of migrants that use the woods. Off of Blair Road, the replanted prairie areas are attracting Sedge Wrens, particularly further west, where a farm lane with a chain blocking it goes north into the field.