Northern Harrier - Illinois Trip Day Three

Thursday June 16th

Headed up to Lake County and birded Ryerson Nature Center along the Des Plaines River.  This location is an excellent spot to bird in May during spring migration.  But this is June and migration is over. Still good birds were to be seen. A recent report had a cerulean warbler and I did locate a soaring Northern Harrier working over a field. Was advised later that this is a rare, but increasing sighting for northern Illinois.

Song Sparrow

Field Sparrow holds its prey

Lots of singing sparrows were seen including Field, Song and Savannah Sparrows. Had a larger darkly streaked sparrow show up with a very different song that I was not able to identify.  Initially tryed to turn it into a fox sparrow, but they only winter in the area.  Had lots of Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins, plus many Tree Swallows too. Down by the river was a family of Canada Geese and several Mallards.  Great Crested Flycatchers were very vocal and a pair of Eastern Phoebes were seen by one of the cabins.



Trail near the river



Up by the farm were more robins, House Sparrows, American Goldfinchs, Eastern Kingbirds, and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.  Other birds seen included a Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Indigo Bunting, Northern Cardinals, Common Yellowthroat, Common Grackles, a Gray Catbird and Great Blue Herons. Dipped on veery, wood thrush or any other warblers.

Next stopped at nearby Rollins Savannah Forest Preserve.  Looking for waterfowl, like mute swans and gadwells and grassland species like henslow sparrow and boblinks. Was also interested in yellow-headed blackbirds.  There are usually a few here as this is about the eastern most point of this species range. Elected to enter the preserve at the drury lane entrance because this was the closest point to the marsh were the yellow-headed blackbird are found. We were also on a dead line to reach my folks place soon.  So our stay here was much too short.

Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere.  At the large lake, basically only a large number of Mallards and a few Canada Geese could be identified as the lighting was terrible. Did see a few Great Egrets. Near the marsh were the yellow-headed blackbirds were expected, did find a Mute Swan and Tree Swallows.  But did not see or hear any yellow-headed blackbirds. As for the grassland birds had one Dickcissel and one Bobolink. The only sparrow I could identify was a lone Savannah Sparrow. Should of done much better, but time was running out on the our stop here.  Other birds sighted included Double Crested Cormorants, Red-tailed Hawk, American Goldfinchs, Orchard Orioles, Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Yellowthoat, American Robins, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Cardinals, Killdeer, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird and Cedar Waxwing.

American Robin at Rollins Savannah

Life at Fish Lake Beach

We arrived later at my folks place at Fish Lake Beach in Volo. We would spend the remainder of our visit here and enjoyed a great visit with family.  American Robins were everywhere here and this year no mute swans were seen out on Fish Lake.  Did see Pied-billed Grebes, Canada Geese, Mallards, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets Barn Swallow, Tree Swallows and Ring-billed Gulls on the lake. Also by the lake and high up in the trees could be heard and seen Cedar Waxwings, a female Orchard Oriole and a singing Warbling Vireo. The many bird feeders were active with House Finches, House Sparrows, Starlings, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches. Red-winged Blackbirds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. A pair of Green Herons were nesting in a nearby tree and neighbor had a family of House Wrens using a bird box by his porch..

Canada Geese at Fish Lake

Dickcissels - Illinois Trip, Day Two

Wednesday, June 15th

Dickcissel at Midewin National Grasslands

Made a quick run down to Midewin National Grasslands near Joliet.  Grassland species are the noted birds including upland plover, henslows sparrow, boblinks, dickcissels, grasshopper sparrows and such.

Because of time constraints and mosquitoes, there was very little trail walking, with most of the birding done road side and from parking lots.  This did work out very well.  I was to dip on the upland plover and henslows sparrow, I get lots of Dickcissels and Bobolinks.  I also got Chipping, Field and Grasshopper Sparrows.  Was able to add Baltimore Orioles, a Turkey Vulture, Coopers Hawk, American Goldfinch, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Meadowlarks, Red-wing Blackbird, Eastern Wood-pewee, American Crow, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, Red-eyed Vireo, House Finch, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, American Robins, Gray Catbird, Cardinals, Cedar Waxwings, Starlings, Common Yellowthroat, Great Egret, Cormorant and Killdeer.

A singing Dickcissel



Tree Swallow directing traffic



Found Baltimore Orioles in these trees

Tryed to get out of the trip into the city to continue birding Midewin, but that was a no go. So headed back to my sister's house and then we were off to the lake front in downtown Chicago. Because today the Shedd Aquarium was offering free admissions. The price was right. the lines were long but it was worth it. I also did not stop birding. Had lots of Ring-billed Gulls along Lake Shore Drive and the harbors. Also had Caspian Terns fishing the Montrose Harbor. It seems that these terns are roof top nesting in the area this year. Around Grant Park and the museums were the usual urban birds, Robins, House Sparrow, lots of Red-winged Blackbirds, Rock Pigeons, Common Grackles, Mallards grazing on the lawn and Canada Geese in the nearby harbor.

Chicago seen from the steps of the Shedd Aquarium

Lines at the aqurium, Field Museum in the background

Mallard

The Water Tower, One of the few structures to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871

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.

Another Yellow Rat Snake

June 29th

Yellow rat snakes as so far the commonest snake I've seen this year.  I really like this image.

Barred Owl

June 29th

The Barred Owl that has been a rainy season visitor to my workplace has returned.  Last year we a pair of these owls visiting us and would whistle to each other.  So far this summer we only have the one.

Dolphin Research Center - Marathon, Florida

May 30th

My daughter was very anxious to visit the Dolphin Reserch Center at Marathon before we left Keys on a birding trip last month. Here are a few photos from our brief stop.

Several chickens roaming the property, probably came from Key West

Roseate Terns - The Florida Keys, Day Two

Tuesday, May 31st

Day two started out early, by returning to the Marathon Government Center, and was rewarded by dozens of White-crowned Pigeons, a dozen Least Terns and a half dozen Roseate Terns. I noted that all of the white-crowned pigeons were heading in the same direction.  No doubt seeking food.  These birds feed on the fruits of hard wood trees like poisonwood berries.  Other birds present were Eurasian Collared Doves, Rock Pigeons, Northern Mockingbirds and the most commonly seen bird in the Keys, Red-winged Blackbirds.

Iguanas are found through-out south Florida. This lizard was with about a dozen sunning in the ealy morning

It was really difficult to get a good photo of a White-crowned Pigeon

A Key Deer getting a drink at a residence

Following breakfast we continued down US 1 to the National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge. The Key Deer is the smallest variety of white-tailed deer and are only found in the Florida Keys.  They are considered to be endangered and it is unlawful to feed them, but most of the deer we saw were feeding in peoples' yards

We came across another breeding colony of Least Terns nesting on the roof of a commercial building.  Tryed getting photos of white-crowned pigeons here, but they were skittish. Also were seen Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Mockingbirds, Black Vultures, Great Crested Flycatchers, Gray Kingbirds and a Prairie Warbler.

At this point we turned for home, and continued spotting all the same birds including hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants on the pilings and power lines.  Eurasian Collared Doves and white-crowned pigeons remanded plentiful and we add more Common Mynas, a lone Swallow-tailed Kite and a pair of Nanday Parakeets.

Small squirrell feeding at entrance to Dagny

We made a return stop at Dagny Preserve on Key Largo, were we failed to again find a mangrove cuckoo, but added a White-eyed Vireo.  Passing through Homestead we again added common myna, House Sparrow and Chimney Swifts.

Here, instead of heading home we diverted to Everglades National Park and Areojet Road ( Lucky hammock and The Annex).  At Long Pine Key, where the Cuban Pewee was found last September, we were able to add Red-bellied Woodpecker and an Eastern Towhee. At Pautotis pond we added 42 Wood Storks, a Great Blue Heron, a Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egrets, Black Vultures, an Eastern Kingbird, tons of mosquitoes and a very large alligator. At Flamingo we had lots of Laughing Gulls, but struck out of locating any American crocodiles. Nearby Eco Pond was nearly dry we only found a half dozen Black-necked Stilts ( maybe one nesting), a couple of Semipalmated Plovers and about six peeps that were probably Sanderlings, but needed a scope to be 100% sure.

Black-necked Stilt at Eco Pond

Nesting?

We checked out Research Road for any possible white-tailed kites.  Could only find a Swallow-tailed Kite, several Eastern Meadowlarks and a couple of Red-shouldered Hawks. As we were heading back to the main road I believe I spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker fly across the road into some live oaks. My view was very fleeting, but I can not come up with anyother possibility.  The thing is that these woodpeckers are not found in the Glades. I did report it on EBird, but as it was only an anecdotal observation and without a photo, video or a report from a birder with more cred than I have, the sighting can not be excepted.



White-crowned Pigeon on Aerojet Road



Our final stop was on Aerojet Road.  Did not have much to add here White-crowned Pigeon, Mourning Doves, Common Ground Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Gray Kingbird, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird and more Red-winged Blckbirds

Another good road trip.  Found some good birds and missed a few others.