Some interesting birds are being seen in the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park at Utica. Today, 2 Snowy Egrets, a Willet, a juvenile Laughing Gull, and a small gull (“smaller than nearby Bonaparte’s”) were seen from both the Starved Rock Marina (on the north side of the river along Dee Bennett Road) and Lone Point, part of the state park on the south side, directly across from the marina.

There are many Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons, plus Caspian and Forster’s terns. With school back in session, and the cool weather fronts moving through, this is probably a good time to bird the park and river. You never know what you might find, and increasing migrating birds should be around.

Barbara saw 40 or so Common Nighthawks fly over our house this afternoon.