Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake, Illinois

 Tuesday, July 20th

Trumpeter Swans at Rollins Savanna

On my recent visit with family in Illinois, I spent some of my time birding and doing some nature photography. Always enjoy spending time at Rollins Savanna which is a considered to be an outstanding  birding location.

The popular trails circle the oak savannas and wetlands at this preserve. Lots of joggers, walkers, bicycle riders, dog walkers and nature lovers. lots of birds and wildflowers too.

Great Blue Heron

Canada Geese

Meadow Anemone

BIRD LIST - Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, Blue-winged Teal, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, Mourning Dove, Virginia Rail, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Double-Crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Tree Swallows, European Starlings, American Robins, House Sparrow, American Goldfinches, Song Sparrow, Bobolinks, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Grackles, Common Yellowthroat and Dickcissel.

Foxglove Beardtongue

Dickcissel

Brown-headed Cowbird

Hoary Vervain

Wild Quinine

American Robin in the Dogwoods

Compass Plant

Honeysuckle

Pale Cone Flower

Baby Mallard

Wild Bergamot

Prairie Coreopsis

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge - Juneau County, Wisconsin

 Tuesday July 13th

 

Added a stop at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge to look for Whooping Cranes and Trumpeter Swans. Necedah has been a part of the Whooping Crane recovery plan in establishing an eastern migrating population to safeguard the viability of the species. It was the northern terminal for the famous whooping crane flights using ultralight aircraft to teach young cranes on how to migrate, till the program ended a few years ago. 

Five years ago Bob Pelkey and I can across one of the ultralights used by 'Operation Migration' at the southern terminus at St Marks NWR in Florida. Seems they were wrapping up the final flight, as conservation efforts were headed in other directions. 

Back in February 2016 this Ultralight was a part of Operation Migration
seen at St Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Our visit here included checking out the area around Headquarters Road and Goose Lake. We enter the refuge at Headquarters Road were we started with a pair of Cliff Swallows. Further along we had White-tailed Deer, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Red-tailed Hawk Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Bluebird, Robins, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe. American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Red-winged Blackbirds, Gray Catbirds, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, singing Common Yellowthroats and Sandhill Cranes. Stopped at the observation tower were we saw a pair of Whooping Cranes on the distant edge of the water, plus a pair of Greater Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese. Nice to see the whoopers. At the Visitors Center we added Barn Swallows and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

Song Sparrow

Believe this is the 'Greater' subspecies of Sandhill Crane, based only on geography.

Still need to catch-up with some swans and was directed up to he Goose Pool area. Before spotting the Trumpeter Swan family we had a beautiful Common Loon diving close to the road. The swans were across the water with the pair of adults and their cygnets. Other waterfowl seen here included Hooded Mergansers and Wood Ducks.  Other birds seen in the area included Killdeer, Veery, Turkey Vultures, Eastern Kingbirds, Robins, Black-capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing and Song Sparrow.  

Common Loon

Distant look at the Trumpeter Swan family

Some of the Wildflowers at Necedah

Orange Hawkweed

False Sunflower

Tuberous Grasspink

Great Mullins

Swamp Milkweed

Common Milkweed

Purple Vervain

Trumpeter Swan - Illinois Trip, Day One

Tuesday, June 14th

Left Florida with my daughter to visit with family in the Chicago area. After arriving at Midway Airport and collecting our rental car, we were ready to go birding.

Made three stops at southern Cook County forest preserves. Started at Little red Schoolhouse nature Center.  found the location very busy, but the trail was much more peaceful.  American Robins were everywhere and the most commonly seen birds seen for the week.  Other birds sighted included Great Egrets, Tree Swallows, Red-tailed Hawk, a Belted Kingfisher, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Common Yellowthroat, House Sparrows, Red-eyed Vireo, American Goldfinches and Red-winged Blackbirds.  Misses included red-headed woodpecker, canada geese, mallards and wood thrushes.

Barn Swallows at McGinnis Slough

Next stop was McGinnis Slough to look for waterfowl, including Trumpeter Swans. They were present, but did not see any other waterfowl of note.  Which means they were too far away to make out.  Most commonly seen birds seen here were Red-winged Blackbirds and Tree Swallows.  Was watching and listening for any rails as I had a sora here last year, but did get any today.  Did observe a Coopers Hawk being mobbed by Grackles, plus sighted several Cedar Waxwings.  I had dipped on waxwings all this past winter in Florida, so has glad to be able to add them now.  Waxwings turned out to be a very commonly located bird all week in Illinois.  Was also able to add a Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Gray Catbird, Barn Swallow and Northern Cardinal.

Last stop was at the Orland Grasslands Preserve.Was met in the parking lot by an Eastern Bluebird and a singing Song Sparrow. An Indigo Bunting also found singing nearby as well.  Walked the lane along the tree line with the idea that may be I could locate a henslow sparrow or a dickcissel today. The only other sparrow I was able to ID was a Savannah Sparrow. I also added another Coopers Hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk, a Blue-winged Teal, Killdeer, American Crows, Barn and Tree Swallows, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Ring-billed Gulls, more Red-winged Blackbirds, an Eastern Meadowlark and heard a Black-capped Chickadee.  Now it was time to met family.

Trumpeter Swans - Turnbull NWR

Trumpeter Swans - Turnbull NWR
Cheney, Washington
Friday, October 8th

Left Florida for a vacation in America's Great Northwest, flying into Spokane, Washington late last Thursday.  Spokane was chosen because it was closest airport to the actual reason for flying some 3000 miles. It was to participate in my daughter Melissa' s wedding in nearby Moscow, Idaho on Saturday. Melissa and her fiancee Robbie elected to come back to Moscow for there wedding as they loved the area.  Robbie was a former student at the University of Idaho in Moscow, were the ceremony was held. But this trip offered me a great birding opportunity. One were I could find any number of lifers that would never be seen in Florida. So I planned birding trips in the area for Friday, Sunday and Monday. Eastern Washington and the Idaho panhandle offered several habitats for birding.  Most of the area is rolling hills covered in wheat fields. The area is known as the Palouse. My targeted birding locations included Turnbull NWR in Cheney, Wa; Mann Lake in Lewiston, Id; and Mt Spokane State park in Washington.

  At this point I would like to acknowledge the help and support of four great local birders. They were extremely helpful in where to look and what was realistic in seeking local specialities. The second weekend of October is not the best time as so many seasonal species have already left for warmer climates.

Robert Mortensen, of Idaho, whom I got to know through his blog BIRDING IS FUN.

Terry Gray, President of the Palouse Audubon Society of Moscow, Idaho

Charles Swift, also of Moscow, Idaho and the University of Idaho and

Jon Isacoff of the Spokane Audubon Society and a professor at Gonzaga University

Pines Lake

As we flew in late Thursday night to stay in Spokane, my first birds of Washington waited till dawn Friday. Of course they were your usual urban birds - House Sparrow, European Starling and American Crows.  But I soon hit my first lifer of the day with a pair of Black-Billed Magpies flying over the parking lot. After picking up my rental car and heading south to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge found a couple of the very common Red-Tailed Hawks, more magpies and a Great Blue Heron.



A portion of the Headquarters Trail - Cheever Lake lies below the trail and meadows rises above

 Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

Arrived at Turnbull Refuge about 9:45am. The refuge is a unique geological sight called a Channeled Scablands. The brochure describes the varying habitats to include wetlands, rock, ponderosa pine and aspen forests, grasslands and steppe. The weather for the day was chilly and overcast with a potential for some rain.



All seven of 'Solo's'  Trumpeter Swan family

 The refuge is home to a noted male Trumpter Swan named Solo who was head of a family of seven swans living here at Turnbull. I got the privilege getting a scoped viewing of the entire family from a refuge volunteer at the Pines Loop Trail head. Was fortunate to get a couple more viewings. One were the whole flock noisily flew overhead in a v-formation and later as they rested on a lake.

Found these American Red Squirrels to be very noisy

Hiked portions of the Pines Loop and Headquarters Trails. The wetlands offered a single Canada Goose, many Mallards and Coots.  A few American Wigeons, a lone male Wood Duck and a couple of Ruddy Ducks. Saw about three each of Double-crested Cormorants and Pied-billed Grebes. A great many Red-winged Blackbirds worked the cattails and several Marsh Wrens could be heard and was finally lucky to observe a couple of wrens as my second LIFER of the day.  Chipping Sparrows were busy in nearby grasses. Other birds found along the trails included  LIFERS of several Western Bluebirds and Red-breasted Nuthatchs, plus  Black-capped Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets,  Yellow-rumped Warblers, American Goldfinch, White-crowned Sparrows,  and Northern flickers.  Higher up in more grassy or steppe terrain I was able to find a pair of American Kestral and LIFERS in a Western Meadowlark and a Northern Shrike. Was able to added a LIFER of a Common Raven that flew overhead as I was returning to my car at the conclusion of the walk.

Wrapped up my visit here with the 5.5 mile auto tour trail. Was able to add Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Ring-Necked Duck and a lone Great Blue Heron.  Found a pair Greater Yellowlegs working a muddy shoreline and a Hairy Woodpecker in the company of a flock of LIFER Pygmy Nuthatches.  Spent about three and half hours here and I could see that a springtime or September would yield a far greater variety of birdlife. I did miss on a few species on my list, but it was a good day especially the impressive swans.



Greater Yellowlegs


 While passing through Cheney on the way back to Spokane, noted a flock of Wild Turkeys in a backyard. Understand that wild turkeys are becoming very numerous in the area.

Wild Turkey outside of Cheney, Washington



The rest of the flock

My Day List - (37, 8 lifers ) Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, American Coot, Greater Yellowlegs, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, Northern Shrike, Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

Trumpeter Swan Illinois Road Trip - day #1

Trumpeter Swan

Illinois Road Trip - Day #1

May 11th

My daughter Katie and I headed up to the Chicago area for about a week for the wedding of my brother Jim's eldest son. Flew into Midway on Tuesday morning and was birding by 10:30am. Hit three sites around south Cook County before checking in at my sister Laura's home in nearby Will County, and then off to my first game at Wrigley Field in thirty years.

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center- Willow Springs, Illinois

   Arrived about 1030am directly from the airport to bird the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. The weather was actually in the 50's and the trail was muddy. Katie suffered through the indignety of soiling her boots and jeans on the muddy trail.  On my first visit a year ago, in May, the weather was better and the woods were birdier. Missed today, from last year's list was a ruby-throuthed hummingbird, wood thrush, tennessee warbler, broadwing hawk and rose-breasted grosbeck.  But I did add a lifer today with a LINCOLN SPARROW.  Also had had several Myrtle Warblers (yellow-rumped warbler), a Palm Warbler, a Red-headed Woodpecker and a Great Egret
My May 2009 List (29) - Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Tree Swallow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
My May 2010 List (15) - Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Cooper's Hawk, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, White-eyed Vireo, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, American Goldfinch

McGinnis Slough - Orland Park

Canada Geese greeted us as we arrived at McGinnis Slough

Next stop was McGinnis Slough located in Orland Park off LaGrange Road. A pair of Trumpeter Swans had raised a family here last year and reports were that they were still present.
The following was posted on the IBET message board on May 8th by -{ After Palos we went to McGinnis Slough in Orland Pk. There were 4-5 BLACK TERNS, 4 SORAS, 1VIRGINIA RAIL seen closer than we have both ever seen. MUTE and TRUMPETER SWANS and 2 late REDHEAD DUCKS were noted. 25 BLUE WINGED TEAL were seen in numerous locations.} Authored by Wes Serafin.

So based on this and other postings on McGinnis Slough I was intriqued and it was close to my sister's home. Had to check it out.  I mostly wanted to find a trumpeter swan, which would complete sightinging all three swan species. The potiental of locating black terns or a virginia rail would was also be a plus.

The stop here was brief.  The weather was no better than at te Little Red Schoolhouse.  A pair of Canada Geese with a gossling greeted us at the parking lot. These geese are everywere and seem to be reguarded as pests. Simarly to how we feel about muscovy ducks here in Florida.

A few Mallards and other Canada Geese could be seen from here. Barn and Tree Swallows were swarming the slough and Red-Winged Blackbirds are everywere.  To locate the swans I had to move over to a nearby lookout point were a small flock of Chimney Swifts were very busy. A Sora was heard several times within the cattails. A pair of swans were spotted far off in the slough. One was oviously a Mute Swan and the other was the Trumpeter Swan. LIFER.  Second of the day

View of McGinnis Slough

Dandelions

My List (11) - Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, Sora, Chimney Swift, Blue Jay, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird

Orland Grassland - Orland Park

We still had a little time, so we made a third stop.  Further south on LaGrange Road was Orland Grasslands. Again very muddy.  Had to trek a bit to find the birds. But they were located about the flooded sections.  came up with a lone Canada Goose, some Mallards and Blue-Winged Teal.  A Pectral Sandpiper and a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs were spooted So was a lone Pied-Billed Grebe. Lots of Red-Winged Blackbirds and Sparrows, including Song, Savanna, Field and a Chipping.  Southwest Florida is not a great sparrow mecca, so referance the guide book several times to get I right. Also had lots of Brownheaded Cowbirds, several gulls, Barn Swallows and Chimney Swifts. Added an American Kestrel as well.

By this time we had to quit and head over to my Sister's house. From here we would be heading into the city for the Cubs game. Some other interesting birds we missed, but were being reported at Orland Grasslands were a couple of wilson's phalaropes and several american pipts.  Would like to return someday.

My List (12) - Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, American Kestrel, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Field Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird

Chicago

  My brother Jim had arranged for some great seats a Wrigley Field, compliments from his employer, for our first night in Illinois. We had a great time even with the icy conditions that night. We met Jim at Wrigley, while Laura drove Katie and I along Lake Shore Drive to the game.  It was great sightseeing my old environment. Was able to id Caspian Terns, Herring Gulls and Ring-billed Gulls along the harbor and beach areas.

Soldier Field on the Lake Front

Wrigley Field prior to game time

We had great seats Too bad the Cubs dropped the game 3 -2 to the Florida Marlins

Not exactly baseball weather - my sister Laura and daughter Katie keeping warm. We had a great time anyway.  Thanks Jim for the tickets.