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3 Feb IBET Lake County Red Throated Loons, Long Tailed Ducks Plus White Winged & Surf Scoters Fri 2-3-12 [Al Stokie ] 3 Feb IBET Diversey Hoodies Mating, etc [Steve Spitzer ] 3 Feb IBET Departure Time For Barrow's Goldeneye Was At 4:34 p.m. Fri 2-3-12 [Al Stokie ] 3 Feb Barrow's - please ibet post NO SIGHTINGS [] 3 Feb IBET Deer Grove East Northern Shrike [Carolyn Fields ] 3 Feb IBET Barrow's - still present ["Eric Secker" ] 03 Feb IBET Pella Tundra Swans (Dupage County) ["andrewsaldrich" ] 3 Feb IBET yard birds: redpolls [Dawn ] 3 Feb IBET Northern Shrike - Springbrook Prairie, Naperville [marilyn bell ] 03 Feb IBET Re: Barrows Goldeneye Skokie Lagoons ["greg_neise" ] 03 Feb IBET Re: Barrows Goldeneye Skokie Lagoons ["mcvetas" ] 3 Feb IBET Barrows Goldeneye Skokie Lagoons [Glenn Giacinto ] 2 Feb Re: IBET Prairie Falcon Sequence Of Events Thur 2-2-12 ["David Thomas" ] 2 Feb IBET Prairie Falcon Sequence Of Events Thur 2-2-12 [Al Stokie ] 02 Feb IBET IBSP Spring 'migration' continues with RT Loons/LT Ducks ["ericwalt40" ] 2 Feb IBET Turkey Vulture over DuPage County on Wednesday [] 2 Feb IBET: Mundelein Greater White-fronted Geese [Todd Anderson ] 2 Feb IBET Harlequin Update [Steve Spitzer ] 2 Feb IBET sighting, about 1 hour ago [Mark Hurley ] 2 Feb IBET PRAIRIE FALCON in Champaign Co. [Michael Baum ] 2 Feb IBET Prairie Falcon [Craig ] 2 Feb IBET Re: First egg laid - Bald Eagle nest L&D 13 ["Linda Auderer" ] 2 Feb IBET Common Redpolls - Genoa (DeKalb County) [Karen Lund ] 2 Feb IBET Prairie Falcon [Craig ] 2 Feb IBET NO sightings, request for photos (UNCLASSIFIED) ["Mcmullen, Keith A MVS" ] 02 Feb IBET Wisconsin lawmaker pushes sandhill crane hunt ["Profiles of Nature" ] 02 Feb Re: IBET Short Stop At The Chicago Botanic Garden-Redpolls Continue Wed 2-1-12 ["zoomfergie" ] 02 Feb IBET NBC Nightly News on Snowy Owl Invasion Video ["Profiles of Nature" ] 1 Feb IBET Harlequin Update - And Mostly Mergansers [Steve Spitzer ] 1 Feb IBET Red-shouldered Hawk - Kennedy Expy. [] 1 Feb IBET Woodcocks [bob shelby ] 1 Feb IBET southern Illinois update [Kevin Richmond ] 1 Feb IBET Some Ogle County Birds and some news for any "Bat" people ["Anne Straight" ] 02 Feb IBET Shabbona (De Kalb County) ["YeanetteJ" ] 1 Feb IBET another clip from nbc snowy story [Dawn ] 1 Feb IBET Whalon Lake Report [Jeff Smith ] 01 Feb IBET Snowy Owl Story on NBC Now ["Profiles of Nature" ] 1 Feb IBET snowy on the news(NBC) in just a few moments [Dawn ] 1 Feb Re: IBET Short Stop At The Chicago Botanic Garden-Redpolls Continue Wed 2-1-12 [] 01 Feb IBET Fulton and Cordova, IL - Eagles and Eurasian Tree Sparrows ["Jackie" ] 1 Feb IBET Oak Park Common Redpoll and Siskin [Ethan Gyllenhaal ] 01 Feb Re: IBET Tubenoses in Illinois? No sightings [Patricia Miller ] 1 Feb IBET Bald Eagles occupy Chicago! ["Carolyn A. Marsh" ] 1 Feb IBET Short Stop At The Chicago Botanic Garden-Redpolls Continue Wed 2-1-12 [Al Stokie ] 1 Feb IBET: Libertyville Tufted Titmouse [Todd Anderson ] 01 Feb IBET Champaign Co PRAIRIE FALCON - YES ["calcariusp" ] 1 Feb IBET First egg laid - Bald Eagle nest L&D 13 ["Anne Straight" ] 1 Feb IBET: White-winged Crossbills in Rockford ["Daniel & Barbara Williams" ] 01 Feb IBET Re: Final Post On Adding January Species In DuPage Co & On Listing Games In General Tues 1-31-12 ["greg_neise" ] 01 Feb IBET Ne. Lake County latter January highlights (inc. Pacific Loon) ["ericwalt40" ] 31 Jan IBET RFI Carolina Wren Lake County [Beau Schaefer ] 31 Jan IBET lake county Tufted Titmouse [Beau Schaefer ] 31 Jan IBET John James Audubon in Illinois program 2/7 in Grayslake (NO SIGHTINGS) [Rena Cohen ] 31 Jan IBET Final Post On Adding January Species In DuPage Co & On Listing Games In General Tues 1-31-12 [Al Stokie ] 31 Jan IBET Diversey, Montrose, Lincoln Park Lagoon [Steve Spitzer ] 31 Jan IBET Re: [Kaitlyn Faries ] 31 Jan Re: IBET Not mine: Prairie Falcon reported in Champaign Co. ["B.G. Sloan" ] 31 Jan Re: IBET Harlequin Update [] 01 Feb IBET Cooper's Hawk and BCNH at South Pond ["picken1630" ] 31 Jan IBET Not mine: Prairie Falcon reported in Champaign Co. [douglas stotz ] 31 Jan IBET Illiana Birds: Snowy Owl and Trumpeter Swans ["Carolyn A. Marsh" ] 31 Jan IBET: CBG [Elizabeth de la Baume ] 31 Jan IBET Harlequin Update ["John Picken" ] 31 Jan IBET Oak Ridge Cemetary - Springfield ["Michael B" ] 31 Jan IBET Short-eared owls at Northerly Island (no sighting) ["markushoeckner" ] 31 Jan IBET no sighting-a snowy white owl & IL counties with snowy owls ["Rhonda \(Monroe\) Rothrock" ] 31 Jan Re: IBET (No sightings) link for WTTW last night with Josh and Jerry [] 31 Jan Re: IBET suspicious ["B.G. Sloan" ] 31 Jan IBET Re: FW: Photographer. (UNCLASSIFIED) [jeffrey smith ] 31 Jan IBET No Sightings 2012 IOS Grants Sponsorships ["denismb60045" ] 31 Jan Re: IBET Diversey Harbor Harlequin Duck [Steve Spitzer ] 31 Jan Re: IBET suspicious [Jill Niland ] 31 Jan IBET Re: sandhill cranes, Kane Co [Casey Buchanan ] 31 Jan IBET Diversey Harbor Harlequin Duck ["Craig" ] 31 Jan IBET Common Redpolls, Dupage County ["andrewsaldrich" ] 31 Jan IBET suspicious ["Anthony Green" ] Subject: IBET Lake County Red Throated Loons, Long Tailed Ducks Plus White Winged & Surf Scoters Fri 2-3-12 From: Al Stokie <alstokie99 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:24:46 -0600 Hello Bird People, Before I heard about the Barrow's Goldeneye I birded Waukegan Harbor, Hosah Pk, IBSP-North Unit & North Pt Marina with Paul Sweet & then on the way home I did a solo stop at Independence Grove. I wanted to see if any of the birds Eric W had seen were still around & Paul said he had seen R.T. Loons yesterday as well. Here are the sightings by location but not with as much count detail as usual as it's late & I'm tired after a long day birding. Waukegan Harbor Nothing special here. Canada Geese, Goldeneye, Common & R.B. Mergs, Ruddy Duck (1-M), Coots (4) plus R.B. & Herring Gulls (c30). Lake Michigan from Hosah Pk More Goldeneye, Common & R.B Mergs & (to my surprise) the 1st large Scaup flock I've seen this fall/winter. There were about 500 Scaup to the south off the old Nuc Plant but they flew to the south. IBSP-North Unit At Sand Pond there were a few Canada Geese, one R.B. Merg (F) & R.B.(4) & Herring (21) Gulls. In Lake Michigan from the beach were Red Throated Loon (1), Long Tailed Ducks (c.20 flying, I.D.ed by how they acted), Goldeneye (few) & R.B. Mergs (few). North Pt Marina One more Red Throated Loon, Canada Geese (few), Mallards (few), Redhead (c10), Greater Scaup (c.15), Ring Necks (2-M), Long Tailed Ducks (c.10 with one close enough to I.D. for sure), Bufflehead (6), Surf Scoter (1-F), White Winged Scoter (1-M 2nd year & 1 young one which could be either male or female according to Paul's ref books), Goldeneye, Common & R.B. Mergs, Ruddy Duck (1-F), Coots (few) & about 35 R.B. & Herring Gulls. Independence Grove I had to do the counts here carefully as others do the same & I don't want to look careless. Mute Swan (2-AD), Canada Geese (191), Mallards (10-12), Gadwall (3-M & 2-F), Canvasback (1-AD M), Redhead (33), Greater Scaup (1-F), Lesser Scaup (2-M), Goldeneye (112), Hooded Merg (1-M), Common Mergs (3-F), R.B. Mergs (3-M & 5-F), Coots (67), R.B. (3) & Herring (12) Gulls. Including the Barrow's later in the day at Skokie Lagoons I saw 17 duck species today. In spite of the 2 Scoters, Long Tailed Ducks & R.T. Loons I have to make the Barrow's Goldeneye my Bird-Of-The-Day. It was only the 2nd male Barrow's I've seen in almost 30 years in Illinois. Quite a sight! Al Stokie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Diversey Hoodies Mating, etc From: Steve Spitzer <steven0703 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:59:06 -0800 (PST) Hi Birders, Hoodies mating sequence at the link. http://www.ilbirds.com/index.php?topic=49984.0 Also seen in harbor were the other two Mergansers, lots of Goldeneyes, Geese, Mallards, Gulls.  Outside the harbor were all three Mergansers, Scaups, Redheads, Goldeneyes, and possibly others in a very large mixed flock that extended past my powers of optic resolution. I think it was trying to be foggy. Steve SpitzerChicago - Cook [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Departure Time For Barrow's Goldeneye Was At 4:34 p.m. Fri 2-3-12 From: Al Stokie <alstokie99 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 19:49:20 -0600 Hello Bird People, I don't think anyone else has mentioned this so it may be of interest to others. I almost missed out on the Barrow's as I didn't check IBET when I got home. After I returned from the store I did check & learned about the Barrow's. I thought it might be too late but I arrived at the westernmost pond to the south of Tower at 4:15 p.m. & saw birders with scopes looking at the water. I looked through their scope & saw the Barrows. Matthew Cvetas & son Jake arrived right after I did & we remained after all the others left. Jake counted 39 Goldeneye of which one was the Barrows. They were all swimming as one group until about 4:30 when they split into 2 groups with the Barrow's going with the group which went to the east where the ice began. The other group stayed near the boat launch where all had been before. Then 4 min after that the eastern group started flapping their wings in the water & then took off to the east & flew out of sight past Forest Way Dr. The Barrows went with that group. The other group remained near the boat launch. Other birders arrived about 5 min too late which sounds like something I would do. We all headed over to Forest Way Dr & checked the few open water areas there but all we saw were 11 Ring Necked Ducks. My guess is that it was time for the Goldeneye to head for where-ever they spend the night as nothing was anywhere near the group when they left. I am sure the 2nd group would be leaving soon. Hopefully all Goldeneye will return on Saturday & bring the Barrow's with them. I know I'll be back looking then even though I saw it today. Al Stokie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Barrow's - please ibet post NO SIGHTINGS From: NorekJ AT aol.com Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:44:52 -0500 (EST) An ibet post of any sightings of the Barrow's, or change of location, would be greatly appreciated. Will have access to emails only on my semi-smart phone. Will likewise post if I have unposted updates. (Note that I can post by phone only with a reply-all to another's post, and then putting all info in the re -- the message will be blank.) Joan Norek Chicago norekj AT aol.com Hope is the thing with feathers - that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops at all. - Emily Dickinson [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Deer Grove East Northern Shrike From: Carolyn Fields <c7echoes AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 13:44:54 -0800 (PST) A Northern Shrike was vocalizing again from the top of a tall tree along the northernmost part of the loop trail at Deer Grove East FP this afternoon.   Carolyn Fields NW Cook County [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Barrow's - still present From: "Eric Secker" <esecker AT bcnbirds.org> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:03:00 -0600 The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE is still present right now. Its out in a pretty safe spot in the middle of the lagoon south of Tower Rd. and can be seen from the lots on the south side of Tower Rd. just east of the expressway. I do owe thanks to Nolan for seeing us along Forest Preserve Way and showing us where they were at and to Glenn, Fran, Matthew and Greg for getting the word out. With the Prairie Falcon yesterday, that's two of my top ten wanted IL Life birds in two days and three already this year. Eric & Sally Secker Elgin, Kane Co. ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Pella Tundra Swans (Dupage County) From: "andrewsaldrich" <andrewsaldrich AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:57:02 -0000 Hello! Made a stop at Pella Ponds today, spent most of my time counting waterfowl in the technology park fields (2400+ Canada Geese, 20+ Cackling, 2 Greater-white Fronted, 400+ Mallards, 3 American Black Ducks, 1 Common Merganser). Across the street and behind the Pella building there are a few fluddles filled with mostly Mallards. But there were 5 TUNDRA SWANS feeding in the fluddle farthest south/west. In the fluddle just east of this one there were 2 KILLDEER sitting in the grass. Nothing else of note. Happy birding! Andrew Aldrich Aurora, IL (Will Co.) ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET yard birds: redpolls From: Dawn <mrssmith2 AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:24:52 -0600 The redpolls continue to visit the feeders - as many as 7 at a time for the last week or so. I'm amused to see them bully the house finches at the feeder posts. They also seem to like the thistle seed scattered on a cement wall that is about 2 feet wide and 5 feet off the ground. It is there that I can compare them the best. One is considerably lighter than the rest, but appears to have the streaking in the under-tail coverts, implying ( to my knowledge) common. The crows continue to tell me of the GHO's presence in the neighborhood. Dawn Smith mrssmith2 AT comcast.net "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Northern Shrike - Springbrook Prairie, Naperville From: marilyn bell <marbell AT rocketmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:39:36 -0800 (PST) Pat Eggleston and I strolled some trails at Springbrook Prairie this morning (Friday, 1/3) hoping for some of Joe Suchecki's good Sunday birds (a little late!).  Other than a few usual winter birds, not much was seen. But the appearance of a NORTHERN SHRIKE made our morning. Taking the trail that goes from the main parking lot on Naper-Plainfield Road through the tunnel going east, go on the trail that goes to the south.  Further along, that trail intersects with an east-west trail.  The shrike was perched at the tip of a large tree in the field just south of the cross trail. Marilyn Bell Warrenville DuPage County  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Re: Barrows Goldeneye Skokie Lagoons From: "greg_neise" <gregneise AT ilbirds.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:10:58 -0000 I too received a call confirming this this bird, while I was on the phone however, my caller reported that an over-zealous photographer walked up on the flock and flushed them to the south. The bird was relocated, south of Tower Rd., along Forestway Dr. -greg neise Berwyn, IL --- In ILbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "mcvetas" wrote: > > Fran Morel confirms the male Barrow's Goldeneye at this location in Cook County. > > Matthew Cvetas > Evanston, IL > > --- In ILbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Glenn Giacinto wrote: > > > > > > Friday 2/3/2012 > > today i saw an adult breeding plumage Barrows Goldeneye at the Skokie lagoons with a group of about 25 common goldeneyes > > they where inbetween Willow road & Tower in open water feeding > > to far out to get a picture with my simple car camera but very easy to see > > Good birding > > > > Glenn Giacinto > > Chicago,IL > > Cook > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Re: Barrows Goldeneye Skokie Lagoons From: "mcvetas" <mcvetas AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:47:51 -0000 Fran Morel confirms the male Barrow's Goldeneye at this location in Cook County. Matthew Cvetas Evanston, IL --- In ILbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Glenn Giacinto wrote: > > > Friday 2/3/2012 > today i saw an adult breeding plumage Barrows Goldeneye at the Skokie lagoons with a group of about 25 common goldeneyes > they where inbetween Willow road & Tower in open water feeding > to far out to get a picture with my simple car camera but very easy to see > Good birding > > Glenn Giacinto > Chicago,IL > Cook > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Barrows Goldeneye Skokie Lagoons From: Glenn Giacinto <pdpglenn AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:23:57 -0600 Friday 2/3/2012 today i saw an adult breeding plumage Barrows Goldeneye at the Skokie lagoons with a group of about 25 common goldeneyes they where inbetween Willow road & Tower in open water feeding to far out to get a picture with my simple car camera but very easy to see Good birding Glenn Giacinto Chicago,IL Cook [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET Prairie Falcon Sequence Of Events Thur 2-2-12 From: "David Thomas" <Birderdlt AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 20:39:59 -0600 Nice to hear a success story on the falcon. By the time I could get away at about 12:30 today the falcon was no where to be found in the immediate area where it had been seen earlier in the day. Hopefully someone will find it again somewhere in central Illinois. David Thomas ----- Original Message ----- From: Al Stokie To: ILbirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 5:45 PM Subject: IBET Prairie Falcon Sequence Of Events Thur 2-2-12 Hello Bird People, Craig Taylor & Mike Baum have given the important info concerning locations & time of sighting for the Champaign Co Praririe Falcon so I won't repeat that. But if you want to see how the search unfolded then read on. Drove down with Andy Sigler & Bruce Heimer & we arrived at the area where Mike Madsen saw the Falcon the day before at a little after 8 a.m. We knew there would be problems as the predicted fog was even worse than we expected. You couldn't see very far from the roads so unless the Falcon was perched nearby we were out of luck. Searched for 35-40 min & ended up at the field with all the bales of hay. Toward the end of all the bales we could a large bird on one of the nearer bales. Drove toward it & stopped the car but did not get out. Looked through the fog & saw it was indeed the Prairie Falcon but although we stayed in the car the Falcon decided to fly across the road right in front of us going north & disappeared into the fog. Soon after that we made contact with Craig Taylor who soon arrived at the bales of hay area. Waited there a while & were joined by Eric Secker & Pete Moxon. Each car then headed off in different directions to search & report back if successful. The fog would seem to get better & then be as bad as it ever was. Two hours later no one had found the Falcon but conditions were improving. Then Andy decided we needed to expand the search area so we went farther afield. Bruce noticed a hawk in a field & got out to check it with his scope. Just as Bruce called out that it was the Prairie Falcon Andy's phone rang & it was Kevin Richmond saying he was looking at the same bird & had been watching it for 15 or 20 min. Calls went out but just before Craig arrived the Falcon flew over a small ridge & put down in a low area & out of sight. Soon Craig arrived & the Falcon flew up & sat on a short post for a short time. Just as Eric & Pete arrived the Falcon flew off & it looked like it was really leaving although Eric & Pete did see it in flight. Lucky for all of us it flew to one of the very tall power line towers & landed. Now all was easy as it stayed there. After 30 min of watching the Falcon most folks started to leave & the Prairie Falcon remained on the tower. Also arriving in time for the Falcon show was Jon Duerr from Kane Co. This area had a lot of other hawks including Harrier (1-M), Sharp Shinned Hawk (1), Red Tailed Hawk (3-4), Rough Legged Hawk (6-7) & Kestrel (2). Those are my counts & others may have different totals. Also seen were Horned Larks (few), Lapland Longspurs (c.40) & singing Eastern Meadowlarks (2). About 3 months ago when I started posting on IBET I told Vic Berardi I had a special bird in mind for my Bird-Of-The-Day. Today my special bird was seen so I am pleased to announce that the Prairie Falcon is that Bird-Of-The-Day & it happened a lot sooner than I expected. Al Stokie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Prairie Falcon Sequence Of Events Thur 2-2-12 From: Al Stokie <alstokie99 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:45:45 -0600 Hello Bird People, Craig Taylor & Mike Baum have given the important info concerning locations & time of sighting for the Champaign Co Praririe Falcon so I won't repeat that. But if you want to see how the search unfolded then read on. Drove down with Andy Sigler & Bruce Heimer & we arrived at the area where Mike Madsen saw the Falcon the day before at a little after 8 a.m. We knew there would be problems as the predicted fog was even worse than we expected. You couldn't see very far from the roads so unless the Falcon was perched nearby we were out of luck. Searched for 35-40 min & ended up at the field with all the bales of hay. Toward the end of all the bales we could a large bird on one of the nearer bales. Drove toward it & stopped the car but did not get out. Looked through the fog & saw it was indeed the Prairie Falcon but although we stayed in the car the Falcon decided to fly across the road right in front of us going north & disappeared into the fog. Soon after that we made contact with Craig Taylor who soon arrived at the bales of hay area. Waited there a while & were joined by Eric Secker & Pete Moxon. Each car then headed off in different directions to search & report back if successful. The fog would seem to get better & then be as bad as it ever was. Two hours later no one had found the Falcon but conditions were improving. Then Andy decided we needed to expand the search area so we went farther afield. Bruce noticed a hawk in a field & got out to check it with his scope. Just as Bruce called out that it was the Prairie Falcon Andy's phone rang & it was Kevin Richmond saying he was looking at the same bird & had been watching it for 15 or 20 min. Calls went out but just before Craig arrived the Falcon flew over a small ridge & put down in a low area & out of sight. Soon Craig arrived & the Falcon flew up & sat on a short post for a short time. Just as Eric & Pete arrived the Falcon flew off & it looked like it was really leaving although Eric & Pete did see it in flight. Lucky for all of us it flew to one of the very tall power line towers & landed. Now all was easy as it stayed there. After 30 min of watching the Falcon most folks started to leave & the Prairie Falcon remained on the tower. Also arriving in time for the Falcon show was Jon Duerr from Kane Co. This area had a lot of other hawks including Harrier (1-M), Sharp Shinned Hawk (1), Red Tailed Hawk (3-4), Rough Legged Hawk (6-7) & Kestrel (2). Those are my counts & others may have different totals. Also seen were Horned Larks (few), Lapland Longspurs (c.40) & singing Eastern Meadowlarks (2). About 3 months ago when I started posting on IBET I told Vic Berardi I had a special bird in mind for my Bird-Of-The-Day. Today my special bird was seen so I am pleased to announce that the Prairie Falcon is that Bird-Of-The-Day & it happened a lot sooner than I expected. Al Stokie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET IBSP Spring 'migration' continues with RT Loons/LT Ducks From: "ericwalt40" <ericwalters7 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:32:48 -0000 Since this remarkably early Spring 'migration' continues to express itself in with at least a number of species, I figured I'd add on additional sightings as since Jan 31st movement has continued. The rare bird train apparently is making daily stops at Illinois Beach State Park, letting off a variety of customers: a) At least 3 Red-throated Loons were scattered along the IBSP lakefront today. Two were adults, the other to far away to age. The two near ones were within 100 yards, so identifiable with binocs, but such awesome views with a scope were had with the midday bird that was offshore from the small pier not to far south of the IBSP/NPM border. It mainly sat in the water, often holding it's bill above the horizontal as they are prone to do, but dove a few times to feed. The post-sunrise bird actually flew in from the south and landed closeby. It was probably the best flying view of a RT Loon I've ever had and was even able to watch it repeatedly lift its whole neck above the horizontal, as if it was being yanked from behind (this also a characteristic flight behavior often seen with RT's). Since RT's often arrive in later February (when they are found in Spring), and with this weather promoting northbound movement, and with no real wintering Lake Michigan reports I've heard about (certainly not along the IL lakefront), I feel certain these were all extremely early Spring migrants. b) I saw at least 95 Long-tailed Ducks in early morning just south of the IBSP/NPM border. I first noticed a huge flock of birds lift off the water and based on their flying 'out of control' and in various directions, I figured right away it was either an overnight gull roosting flock getting up to fly inland or perhaps LT Ducks. Getting them in the scope confirmed all the small whitish waterfowl were indeed Long-taileds. They were probably about a mile or more offshore and if they hadn't lifted up, I doubt I would have located them. This is the largest flock I've seen in probably 20 years, maybe ever..... I'd be inclined to think these were Spring arrivals or perhaps at least the wintering Lake Michigan population gathering together and moving northward. Other signs of what likely were very early Spring arrivals at IBSP include a flock of 4 Red-winged Blackbirds (I've not seen any since November up here), a flock of 28 Cedar Waxwings and 55 Robins (double the wintering numbers), an influx of Greater Scaup along the lakefront (one flock of 165+), Canada Geese groups out on Lake Michigan (never on the big lake water except during migrations) and virtually all gulls gone from the whole lakefront. Is Spring really breaking forth from her wintery coocoon? At least at IBSP the last few days, it sure seems like it. Photo of the midday adult RT Loon at IBSP can be found here: http://www.ilbirds.com/index.php?topic=49973.0 Eric Walters Zion, IL ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Turkey Vulture over DuPage County on Wednesday From: BFisher928 AT aol.com Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:52:29 -0500 (EST) There he was, streaming north over our yard on Wednesday morning. Who can blame him for thinking spring is coming, our grass is green, chipmunks are running around our patio, daffodils are popping up, and our snowdrops are blooming. But somehow I think winter has a few nasty swipes left, and we may see that vulture heading back south in a hurry. Regards Bob Fisher Downers Grove DuPage County [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET: Mundelein Greater White-fronted Geese From: Todd Anderson <tcanders123 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:02:45 -0600 While outside this afternoon around 2:30, I heard geese off in the distance to the east, and though they were faint, thought they sounded odd. As they got closer I realized why ... they weren't Canada geese, but Greater White-fronted, the first I've ever seen in Lake County. I only got intermittent looks at them as the appeared and disappeared in the gaps between clouds, bu from the sound alone they were clearly GWTs, approx. 25 of them. We live on the north edge of Mundelein, not too far from the Lake County fairgrounds, and I'd be interested if anyone else east or west of us saw or heard them. Todd Anderson Mundelein, Lake County ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Harlequin Update From: Steve Spitzer <steven0703 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:14:50 -0800 (PST) Hi Birders, The Harlequin and three Redheads were sleeping in Lincoln Park Lagoon about 1 PM, directly opposite of the entrance to the zoo. Steve SpitzerChicago - Cook [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET sighting, about 1 hour ago From: Mark Hurley <mhurley AT LCFPD.org> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:50:54 +0000 LCFPD Educator Jill Stites had a Northern Shrike here at Ryerson woods today in the field just west of the parking lot at the Welcome Center. We all got a good look at it and it seemed to be hanging around. Mark Hurley, Environmental Educator II Coordinator of Volunteers and Temporary Staff Environmental Education Services 21950 Riverwoods Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015 (Office) 847-968-3324 (Cell) 847-276-5375 (E-mail) mhurley AT lcfpd.org (Website) www.lcfpd.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET PRAIRIE FALCON in Champaign Co. From: Michael Baum <sixftwarbler AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:38:00 -0600 Kevin Richmond relocated the PRAIRIE FALCON and called me around 11AM. The bird is being seen out in a field northeast of the intersection of 2500E/900N. Mike Baum [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Prairie Falcon From: Craig <tnemec1 AT ameritech.net> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:24:44 -0600 Relocated by Kevin Richmond 900N and 2500E Sent from my iPhone Craig Taylor ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Re: First egg laid - Bald Eagle nest L&D 13 From: "Linda Auderer" <fishfly AT mchsi.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:54:09 -0600 The Decorah, IA eagles are preparing their nesting bowl, in anticipation. This morning, Papa brought Mama a freshly killed rabbit. It can't be too much longer before their first egg appears. http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles Linda Auderer (Dubuque County, IA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Common Redpolls - Genoa (DeKalb County) From: Karen Lund <catbirder813 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:12:58 -0600 Seven at the yard feeders this morning. Karen Lund Genoa, DeKalb County catbirder813 AT gmail.com ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Prairie Falcon From: Craig <tnemec1 AT ameritech.net> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:06:01 -0600 Andy, Bruce & Al had bird on 900N between 2400E and 2500e on hay bale. Very foggy. Sent from my iPhone Craig Taylor ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET NO sightings, request for photos (UNCLASSIFIED) From: "Mcmullen, Keith A MVS" <Keith.A.Mcmullen AT usace.army.mil> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:03:59 -0600 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE Hey Gang, While Geoff and I finish up the FALL REPORT for North American Birds, we were hoping to gather some of the better photos of the numerous rare species that visited our great state this past fall season. I've already got shots of the LITTLE GULL from Lake Charleston. I have PURPLE SANDPIPER photos from Clinton Lake. I also have Tim Edison's fine capture of the one-day wonder MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD near the IN border. What I would like to get are photos of the following: SAGE THRASHER, BREWER'S SPARROW, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, WOOD STORK, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Illinois Beach S.P. birds), GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (did anyone have any good shots?) and LARK BUNTING. Please send them to my home e-mail at warbler7 AT sbcglobal.net I know Sheryl is always welcoming your fine photographs for IOS's excellent journal, The Meadowlark, but it would be great if while you send her photos or me photos, copy each of us so that BOTH of us can showcase your fine captures in BOTH the state journal and the national publication, North American Birds. Thanks, everyone and good birdings, Keith McMullen O'Fallon, IL warbler7 AT sbcglobal.net Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Wisconsin lawmaker pushes sandhill crane hunt From: "Profiles of Nature" <jerrygoldner AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:54:11 -0000 http://www.twincities.com/ci_19868737 Say it isn't so! Jerry Goldner Cook ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET Short Stop At The Chicago Botanic Garden-Redpolls Continue Wed 2-1-12 From: "zoomfergie" <zoomfergie AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:05:41 -0000 Just a minor addition to what Michael Hogg and Al Stokie have already reported... Clara Coen and myself spotted 2 American Kestrels in the trees on Evening Island when the Red-tailed Hawk was circling overhead. Missed that Kingfisher on the river though. Good day of birding at CBG. No automobile required either. Cheers, -- Michael Ferguson --- In ILbirds AT yahoogroups.com, MHKIWI AT ... wrote: > > I too took advantage of the fine weather this afternoon to scan the gulls > at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. I started at the south end and found a > juvenile THAYER'S GULL with a small flock of 16 HERRING and 4 RING-BILLs on the > river. From there it was all downhill. Just Herrings and Ring-bills on > the ice south of Marsh Island where there was a growing flock of approx. 75 > Herrings and 20 Ring-bills on the ice south of the island until a RED-TAIL > scattered the flock. And just Herrings and Ring-bills gorging on dead fish > on the exposed bottom of the northern lagoon. My guess is that the number > of gulls at the northern lagoon was 350 to 400 with Herrings approx 75% of > the flock. Gulls were constantly flying back and forth. > > There was a flock of 57 REDPOLLS and a single SISKIN in the birches by the > Regenstein building and a KINGFISHER on the river. > > A docent told me she had seen a small white goose with a flock of Canadas > in the open water by Marsh Island yesterday. ROSS's ? > > Good birding, > > Michael Hogg > Northbrook, IL > > > > > In a message dated 2/1/2012 2:24:38 P.M. Central Standard Time, alstokie9 > 9 AT gmail.com writes: > > > > > Hello Bird People, > > Being somewhat worn out by January's "Sort Of Big Month" I have decided to > designate February 2012 as a "Small Month" so that I can recover properly & > catch up on tasks I have put off while searching for birds. One of the > tasks that needed to be done took me near the Botanic Garden & I recalled > Elizabeth's post about all the gulls in the construction area so I > decided I had time to check that out. I was only there about one hour but > here's what I saw. > > I learned that the gulls are heading to the drained North Pond area in > search of dead fish that the gulls are pulling out of the mud & eating. So > today there were about 250 Herring & Ring Billed Gulls (I would say 75% are > Herring) sliding around in the little bit of remaining water & lots of mud > while fighting over dead fish. It's interesting to see them trying to > swallow entire dead fish, some pretty large to swallow, or just to tear > fish apart while defending their fish from the attack from other gulls. > With that many gulls I thought I would find at least one more species than > the 2 common ones but I did not. But if the dead fish supply lasts other > gull species could also arrive. The only place to view this battle zone is > from behind the construction fence on the vegetable garden island as the > road around the north pond area is closed during construction. At least on > weekdays it's closed. > > Maybe it's the continued warm weather but I had a hard time finding numbers > of winter finches compared with what has been been there before. The only > birds using the 2 feeders were 2 Chickadees, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Junco & 1 House > Sparrow. As mentioned by Elizabeth there are some ducks around. The pond > that is kept open for the resident Swans had one female Goldeneye & 5 R.B. > Mergs (4-M & 1-F). The more informal southern most pond by Rt68 had one > Great Blue Heron, > 15 Canada Geese, 11 Mallards, Gadwall (1-PR), R.B. Mergs (2-F) & one Coot. > > I was on my way back to the car when I went to the island with the bell > tower on it & heard a group of finches but did not see any. Lucky for me I > ran into 2 birder/photographers I see at Montrose (one was Michael F.) & > they directed me to a flock of Redpolls that they had been taking pictures > of. They thought there were about 40 Redpolls & later on I counted at least > 30 while hearing more I could not see so their count seems correct. > > On my way home I drove past Skokie Lagoons along Forest Way but all the > ponds north of Tower Rd were still iced over. A few of the ponds south of > Tower did have open water & there I had Goldeneye (19), Mallards (17), > Common Mergs (1-M & 5-F) & R.B. Mergs (1-PR). > > Thanks to the birder/photographers my Bird-Of-The-Day will be Common > Redpolls & I should mention that there are 4 or 5 nice males with lots of > pink in front. > The most fancy looking birds of the day were the impressive male Red > Breasted Mergs in full breeding plumage. > I only saw 17 species today which fits right in with my "Small Month". > > Al Stokie > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET NBC Nightly News on Snowy Owl Invasion Video From: "Profiles of Nature" <jerrygoldner AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:53:41 -0000 http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46228719#null Please support intelligent local coverage of wildlife ie:Carolyn Marsh's great work today spotting the nest building Bald Eagles in Chicago! Click Share or Like on the WTTW segment for facebook or Twitter: http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2012/01/30/snowy-owls Thanks to Dawn Smith for the heads up!! Much Thanks for your support we are already at 91 Likes & 30 Shares Jerry Goldner ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Harlequin Update - And Mostly Mergansers From: Steve Spitzer <steven0703 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:27:36 -0800 (PST) Hi Birders, The Harlequin Duck was in Lincoln Park Lagoon today, about even with the entrance to the zoo. You can see a so so picture of her and read a report on the day at this link. http://www.ilbirds.com/index.php?topic=49976.0 Or, you can skip that and go to a slideshow of birds of the day, excluding her, at this link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/happy_peasant/sets/72157629136894135/show/ Steve SpitzerChicago - Cook [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Red-shouldered Hawk - Kennedy Expy. From: trptjoe AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:01:26 -0500 (EST) On the way to work today I saw the adult Red-shouldered Hawk flying east along the north side of the Kennedy Expy. (in Chicago) between Cumberland and Canfield. A Red-tailed was perched along the south side of the highway (not in Chicago) nearer to Cumberland, so be aware that both are in the area. I feel a bit like I'm spamming about this bird but I've had enough people ask for updates that I figured I'd post since we're in a new month (Al? Al?) Joe Lill Chicago, Cook County [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Woodcocks From: bob shelby <bobshelby_1956 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:54:03 -0600 This evening I had 3 woodcocks in my CRP field west of my house in Edwards County. Bob Shelby West Salem Edwards Co. bobshelby_1956 AT hotmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET southern Illinois update From: Kevin Richmond <theeggman AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:50:02 -0600 Traveled south today with Mike Baum. We were able to find several birds that had been previously reported. We had to wait for some early fog to lift, but then found the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (in Madison Co.) on the telephone wires along Bischoff Road just a little bit north of the cell tower that is at the southeast "corner" there. We then went to Carlyle Lake (in Clinton Co.) where we had great looks at the adult LITTLE GULL from the Dam East Boat Ramp. It flew west out of view toward the dam after about twenty minutes. We then got to see a LONG-TAILED DUCK looking north from Point 18. The visibility there today was as good as it gets and the surface of the lake was completely calm. Kevin Richmond Morton, Illinois ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Some Ogle County Birds and some news for any "Bat" people From: "Anne Straight" <astraight4 AT frontier.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:49:57 -0600 Some Ogle County birds: Home: 8 PINE SISKINS, FOX SPARROW, AM. TREE SPARROWS, EURASIAN TREE SPARROW, SONG SPARROW and the ususal. Oregon & Castle Rock Areas: 12 BALD EAGLES, 30 or more COMMON MERGANSERS, some COMMON GOLDENEYES, 2 HERRING GULLS, 1 RING-BILLED GULL, 5 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, heard only: CAROLINA WREN and the ususal. For any Bat people, a Rafinesque,s Big-eared Bat has been spotted at Corkscrew Swamp, Flordia. My daughter is a volunteer there. She has seen it and I hope she gets a pic of it.: Below is the link,, http://m.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/25/corkscrew-swamp-extremely-rare-visitor-found-withi/?citizen=1 Anne Straight Forreston, IL (Ogle County) ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Shabbona (De Kalb County) From: "YeanetteJ" <btbwarbler AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:13:33 -0000 John and I blasted out to Shabbona today and had nice looks at some good birds. ***Some on the list were seen on the way to and fro*** GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE AMERICAN BLACK DUCK RUSTY BLACK BIRD RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD AMERICAN WIGEON REDHEAD RUDDY DUCK TUNDRA SWAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL AMERICAN COOT LESSER SCAUP CACKLING GOOSE MALLARD RING-BILLED GULL CANADA GOOSE AMERICAN KESTREL DOWNY WOODPECKER AMERICAN TREE SPARROW AMERICAN CROW RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER RED-TAILED HAWK DARK-EYED JUNCO EUROPEAN STARLING MOURNING DOVE HOUSE SPARROW ROCK DOVE Wishing You Great Birds, Yeanette Johnson Kane County, IL ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET another clip from nbc snowy story From: Dawn <mrssmith2 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:08:07 -0600 another clip (web only) on Paul and his owl photography http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#46228248 Information about his book 'The Owl and the Woodpecker' at http://www.paulbannick.com/shop/owl-and-woodpecker/ Dawn Smith mrssmith2 AT comcast.net "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Whalon Lake Report From: Jeff Smith <mrqmagoo13 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:55:15 -0600 I took the afternoon off from searching for owls to do some easy birding. A nice patch of open water at Whalon contained a good variety of waterfowl. The pair of Pintail had been hanging out on the river until now. The GWF Geese were a nice bonus. Heard one call and searched through the Canadas with no luck. Then looked up and saw 5 of them circling high in a holding pattern while the 6th scouted the area below. Funny though 3 of them picked up and left with some Canadas while the other 3 stayed. The Redhead flew in late with 7 Ring-neckeds. Full eBird report below. Jeff Smith Woodridge, DuPage Co. Whalon Lake, Will, US-IL Feb 1, 2012 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM Protocol: Traveling .5 mile(s) 21 species Greater White-fronted Goose 6 Canada Goose 350 Mallard 150 Northern Pintail 2 Redhead 1 Ring-necked Duck 9 Common Goldeneye 3 Hooded Merganser 2 Common Merganser 1 Ruddy Duck 3 Red-tailed Hawk 2 American Kestrel 2 American Coot 2 Herring Gull 1 Rock Pigeon 10 Mourning Dove 3 Downy Woodpecker 1 European Starling 7 American Tree Sparrow 20 Song Sparrow 1 Red-winged Blackbird 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Snowy Owl Story on NBC Now From: "Profiles of Nature" <jerrygoldner AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:54:11 -0000 Please "Like" the WTTW link on Facebook to help us get coverage for other important issues like the Bald Eagles! Http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2012/01/30/snowy-owls Thanks! Jerry Goldner ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET snowy on the news(NBC) in just a few moments From: Dawn <mrssmith2 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:46:12 -0600 Brian Williams will interview photographer Paul Bannick in a few moments about the snowys Paul has spent loads of time in the tundra photographing these owls and wrote 'The Owl and the Woodpecker'. Dawn Smith mrssmith2 AT comcast.net "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET Short Stop At The Chicago Botanic Garden-Redpolls Continue Wed 2-1-12 From: MHKIWI AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:59:07 -0500 (EST) I too took advantage of the fine weather this afternoon to scan the gulls at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. I started at the south end and found a juvenile THAYER'S GULL with a small flock of 16 HERRING and 4 RING-BILLs on the river. From there it was all downhill. Just Herrings and Ring-bills on the ice south of Marsh Island where there was a growing flock of approx. 75 Herrings and 20 Ring-bills on the ice south of the island until a RED-TAIL scattered the flock. And just Herrings and Ring-bills gorging on dead fish on the exposed bottom of the northern lagoon. My guess is that the number of gulls at the northern lagoon was 350 to 400 with Herrings approx 75% of the flock. Gulls were constantly flying back and forth. There was a flock of 57 REDPOLLS and a single SISKIN in the birches by the Regenstein building and a KINGFISHER on the river. A docent told me she had seen a small white goose with a flock of Canadas in the open water by Marsh Island yesterday. ROSS's ? Good birding, Michael Hogg Northbrook, IL In a message dated 2/1/2012 2:24:38 P.M. Central Standard Time, alstokie9 9 AT gmail.com writes: Hello Bird People, Being somewhat worn out by January's "Sort Of Big Month" I have decided to designate February 2012 as a "Small Month" so that I can recover properly & catch up on tasks I have put off while searching for birds. One of the tasks that needed to be done took me near the Botanic Garden & I recalled Elizabeth's post about all the gulls in the construction area so I decided I had time to check that out. I was only there about one hour but here's what I saw. I learned that the gulls are heading to the drained North Pond area in search of dead fish that the gulls are pulling out of the mud & eating. So today there were about 250 Herring & Ring Billed Gulls (I would say 75% are Herring) sliding around in the little bit of remaining water & lots of mud while fighting over dead fish. It's interesting to see them trying to swallow entire dead fish, some pretty large to swallow, or just to tear fish apart while defending their fish from the attack from other gulls. With that many gulls I thought I would find at least one more species than the 2 common ones but I did not. But if the dead fish supply lasts other gull species could also arrive. The only place to view this battle zone is from behind the construction fence on the vegetable garden island as the road around the north pond area is closed during construction. At least on weekdays it's closed. Maybe it's the continued warm weather but I had a hard time finding numbers of winter finches compared with what has been been there before. The only birds using the 2 feeders were 2 Chickadees, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Junco & 1 House Sparrow. As mentioned by Elizabeth there are some ducks around. The pond that is kept open for the resident Swans had one female Goldeneye & 5 R.B. Mergs (4-M & 1-F). The more informal southern most pond by Rt68 had one Great Blue Heron, 15 Canada Geese, 11 Mallards, Gadwall (1-PR), R.B. Mergs (2-F) & one Coot. I was on my way back to the car when I went to the island with the bell tower on it & heard a group of finches but did not see any. Lucky for me I ran into 2 birder/photographers I see at Montrose (one was Michael F.) & they directed me to a flock of Redpolls that they had been taking pictures of. They thought there were about 40 Redpolls & later on I counted at least 30 while hearing more I could not see so their count seems correct. On my way home I drove past Skokie Lagoons along Forest Way but all the ponds north of Tower Rd were still iced over. A few of the ponds south of Tower did have open water & there I had Goldeneye (19), Mallards (17), Common Mergs (1-M & 5-F) & R.B. Mergs (1-PR). Thanks to the birder/photographers my Bird-Of-The-Day will be Common Redpolls & I should mention that there are 4 or 5 nice males with lots of pink in front. The most fancy looking birds of the day were the impressive male Red Breasted Mergs in full breeding plumage. I only saw 17 species today which fits right in with my "Small Month". Al Stokie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Fulton and Cordova, IL - Eagles and Eurasian Tree Sparrows From: "Jackie" <jaculinb4 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:45:42 -0000 Many thanks to the encouragement from Anne Straight and Karen Lund and to my chauffeur Chris. Anne and Karen's directions were spot-on and despite the mis-prediction of a sunny day, today I got a lifer in the EURASIAN TREE SPARROWs that line River Road in Cordova & the opportunity to view at least 75 of my favorite raptor, the BALD EAGLE. Views from the Fulton Lock & Damn #13 were breath taking. What an opportunity to see the splendor of the Bald Eagle as they roost and fish the might Mississippi. And what a small world, we met new birding friends from our own home town and neighboring communities! The drive on I-88 is super easy and worth a two hour drive from the western suburbs. some of my photos may be viewed on Flickr:Bald Eagles http://www.flickr.com/photos/jibby203/6803550777/in/photostream/ Eurasian Tree Sparrows http://www.flickr.com/photos/jibby203/6803547697/in/photostream/ Jackie BowmanGeneva, Kane County [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Oak Park Common Redpoll and Siskin From: Ethan Gyllenhaal <ethannatureboy AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:35:51 -0600 Without any "proper" birding today, I managed to pull off a 4 finch day! I had a Siskin fly over on my way home from school, and we have a Common Redpoll in our yard! It showed up late in the day at the base of our feeder, and gave nice looks and photo ops. Ethan Gyllenhaal Oak Park, IL Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET Tubenoses in Illinois? No sightings From: Patricia Miller <patmiller AT me.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:25:47 -0600 A different kind of tubenose can be seen in Chicago in a couple of weeks. The great artsy/folk/rock band Shearwater will be opening for Sharon van Etten at Lincoln Hall in Chicago on Feb. 16 and 17. Lead singer/songwriter/guitarist/pianist Jonathan Meiburg is an ornithologist who did his Master's thesis on the Striated caracaras (Jonny rooks) on the Falkland Islands. Lots of bird references in their songs. I made a trip to see them for a special concert in their home base in Austin TX about a year ago, and it was well worth it. I dig them the most - you might too. Sent from my iPad On Jan 29, 2012, at 11:34 PM, Jim Mountjoy wrote: > Eric Walters wrote: > > Steve Howell's new photographic > > guide to "Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm-Petrels of North America" > > (or the > > procellariids, diomedeids, hydrobatids, and oceanitids) was released > > today. > > Looks very interesting, even though we'd have to leave IL to see them. > > Then > > again, maybe the annual Carlyle Pelagic will luck out someday. > > Well, Ontario (another Great Lakes region, albeit closer to the > Atlantic...) has recorded nine species of tubenoses (5 species of > petrels and shearwaters and 3 storm-petrels are on the official list; > the Yellow-nosed Albatross that was rescued and rehabbed is presumably > awaiting a vote), so I don't think it is so unlikely that some species > might eventually turn up in Illinois. Even Michigan has one species > (Manx Shearwater) on its checklist... My bet would be on Northern > Fulmar, as they apparently get caught sometimes in Hudson/James Bay as > it freezes up and head south overland. However, a Band-rumped > Storm-Petrel could be carried up to Lake Carlyle by a hurricane. Ya > just never know... (My copy of Howell has already been ordered.) > > Jim Mountjoy > Galesburg IL > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Bald Eagles occupy Chicago! From: "Carolyn A. Marsh" <cmarshbird AT prodigy.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:42:55 -0600 Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Bald Eagles occupy Chicago! Bald Eagles vs. Mayor Emanuel The pair of BALD EAGLES seen for months now and listed on the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count 17 December 2011, is nesting in Whitford Pond at the O'Brien Lock & Dam in Southeast Chicago. An adult Bald Eagle was seen bringing a branch to a huge nest inside the heron rookery. The heron rookery is immediately adjacent to the 33 acres the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District leased to the Chicago Police Department for a 24/7, 40-shooter outdoor firing range. The Southeast Environmental Task Force asked me to do an interview with WBEZ reporter Michell Eloy at 10 a.m. today at the site of the firing range. I arrived early at 9 a.m. and checked Hegewisch Marsh on the east side of the Calumet River and saw a pair of Bald Eagles, one guessed to be at least a 3rd year eagle and an adult. The adult eagle separated and flew west across the river into an evergreen tree on the lawn of the O'Brien Lock and Dam. It then flew to the top of a telephone pole and then over to the MWRD firing range area and dropped down out of sight. The one eagle was still in the same Hegewisch Marsh tree when the three MWRD personnel and the reporter arrived and the eagle was pointed out and they were offered my binoculars to see it. We cautiously drove further and entered the gate that Chicago police opened to the 33-acre firing range site. No eagle was seen; only RED-TAILED HAWKS. Once on the firing range location, the reporter and I were able to clearly see a cluster of heron nests from last year but no Great Blue Heron. Oddly there was one huge nest, about three times the size of the heron nest and I mused that it looked like an eagle nest. When we were winding up the interview, I noticed in the corner of my eye a hawk flying into the rookery and sure enough the adult eagle had landed in the huge nest and was doing some housekeeping! When we were leaving, driving down the access road, there was an adult Bald Eagle on the top of a telephone pole! The WBEZ reporter was able to take a close up picture of it. (Maybe there are two adults and a subadult?) I told the MWRD representative to give it up - the Bald Eagle, our national symbol, has claimed this territory. The lease still has to be approved by the Chicago Plan Commission, Zoning Board and the City Council. Now it's Bald Eagles vs. Mayor Emanuel Carolyn Marsh, Chicago Audubon Society, Conservation Chair [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Short Stop At The Chicago Botanic Garden-Redpolls Continue Wed 2-1-12 From: Al Stokie <alstokie99 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:24:33 -0600 Hello Bird People, Being somewhat worn out by January's "Sort Of Big Month" I have decided to designate February 2012 as a "Small Month" so that I can recover properly & catch up on tasks I have put off while searching for birds. One of the tasks that needed to be done took me near the Botanic Garden & I recalled Elizabeth's post about all the gulls in the construction area so I decided I had time to check that out. I was only there about one hour but here's what I saw. I learned that the gulls are heading to the drained North Pond area in search of dead fish that the gulls are pulling out of the mud & eating. So today there were about 250 Herring & Ring Billed Gulls (I would say 75% are Herring) sliding around in the little bit of remaining water & lots of mud while fighting over dead fish. It's interesting to see them trying to swallow entire dead fish, some pretty large to swallow, or just to tear fish apart while defending their fish from the attack from other gulls. With that many gulls I thought I would find at least one more species than the 2 common ones but I did not. But if the dead fish supply lasts other gull species could also arrive. The only place to view this battle zone is from behind the construction fence on the vegetable garden island as the road around the north pond area is closed during construction. At least on weekdays it's closed. Maybe it's the continued warm weather but I had a hard time finding numbers of winter finches compared with what has been been there before. The only birds using the 2 feeders were 2 Chickadees, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Junco & 1 House Sparrow. As mentioned by Elizabeth there are some ducks around. The pond that is kept open for the resident Swans had one female Goldeneye & 5 R.B. Mergs (4-M & 1-F). The more informal southern most pond by Rt68 had one Great Blue Heron, 15 Canada Geese, 11 Mallards, Gadwall (1-PR), R.B. Mergs (2-F) & one Coot. I was on my way back to the car when I went to the island with the bell tower on it & heard a group of finches but did not see any. Lucky for me I ran into 2 birder/photographers I see at Montrose (one was Michael F.) & they directed me to a flock of Redpolls that they had been taking pictures of. They thought there were about 40 Redpolls & later on I counted at least 30 while hearing more I could not see so their count seems correct. On my way home I drove past Skokie Lagoons along Forest Way but all the ponds north of Tower Rd were still iced over. A few of the ponds south of Tower did have open water & there I had Goldeneye (19), Mallards (17), Common Mergs (1-M & 5-F) & R.B. Mergs (1-PR). Thanks to the birder/photographers my Bird-Of-The-Day will be Common Redpolls & I should mention that there are 4 or 5 nice males with lots of pink in front. The most fancy looking birds of the day were the impressive male Red Breasted Mergs in full breeding plumage. I only saw 17 species today which fits right in with my "Small Month". Al Stokie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET: Libertyville Tufted Titmouse From: Todd Anderson <tcanders123 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:49:17 -0600 I went to see if I could fine Beau's Tufted Titmouse at the Oak Springs canoe launch in Libertyville. As soon as I started down the trail, I could hear it calling ... but in the distance and on the wrong side of the river. After an hour of listening to it seem to drift farther away, I went to run some errands & came back around noon to try again. I heard the bird again right away, but still on the far side of the river. Luckily, it's calls were gradually getting louder, and after about a half hour, it zipped across the river and perched nicely in a dead tree very close to the parking area! I think this is only my 3rd Lake County TT ever. Nice find Beau!! Also present was a Kingfisher, a pair of Common Goldeneye, and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser. Todd Anderson Mundelein, Lake County [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Champaign Co PRAIRIE FALCON - YES From: "calcariusp" <sdbailey AT mail.inhs.uiuc.edu> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:27:17 -0000 Mike Madsen asked me to post that he is currently watching the Champaign County PRAIRIE FALCON found near the Frito Lay plant near Sidney, at 12:15 today. The bird is currently a couple miles (?) from there, perched in the top of a lone tree along CR 2200E between 700N & 800N, just south of 800N. He watched it harass a Rough-legged Hawk before landing in the lone tree. Steve Bailey Mundelein (Lake Co) sdbailey AT illinois.edu ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET First egg laid - Bald Eagle nest L&D 13 From: "Anne Straight" <astraight4 AT frontier.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:16:11 -0600 Hope has laid her first egg today at Lock and Dam 13 - Fulton, IL. You can see the goings on at http://sumriver.org/ on the facebook page or I could send you the pic or video . Anne Straight Forreston, IL (Ogle County) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET: White-winged Crossbills in Rockford From: "Daniel & Barbara Williams" <twotringas AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:52:01 -0600 This morning, a flock of 16 White-winged Crossbills flew over while I was out along Safford Road picking up our newspaper. The flock came from the direction of Page Park School. There is a stand of hemlocks on the west side of the school driveway near Safford Road, and I suspect that they had been in the hemlocks. I recommend that you avoid going on the school property on weekdays during school hours. School security seems to be on high alert there. The school property adjoins Anna Page Park on the northwest side of Rockford on Springfield Avenue. There are a lot of conifers in the Park, most of which are Norway Spruce, but there are other mixed conifers as well. The entrance to the Park is on Springfield just north of its intersection with Safford Road. Page Park Schook is on Safford Road about .2 mile west of Springfield Avenue. Dan Williams Rockford [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Re: Final Post On Adding January Species In DuPage Co & On Listing Games In General Tues 1-31-12 From: "greg_neise" <gregneise AT ilbirds.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:16:02 -0000 Al, Great month! As you mentioned, I had a great day in January that was the primary thrust of my own January big month for northern Illinois. Yesterday, quite unexpectedly, I grabbed 2 new species for the month (Common Redpoll and Snow Bunting) while out looking for Crossbills. (We did see and hear crossbills, but the glimpses were too fleeting to assign them to species.) These brought my northern Illinois total for January to 105 (with a total of 5 days in the field). My biggest misses were: all 3 scoters, Horned Grebe, California Gull, Monk Parakeet, Rufous Hummingbird, Winter Wren, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Red Crossbill. Quite unexpected were: Ross Goose, Great Egret, Killdeer, Mew Gull, Field Sparrow. Like you, I tried for Long-eared Owls in "the usual places" and came up empty...but having a great winter for owls nonetheless. Good fun, and don't stop! Cheers, -greg neise Berwyn, IL --- In ILbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Al Stokie wrote: > For Lister Types Only:My total species for January 2012 ended up at 113 > which was 112 seen plus Pheasant heard only. Although this total will be > small compared to some of the month totals I have heard about it's a good > total for the Northern Region only & is 13 better than I have ever done > before & my previous totals are all I care about trying to beat. I don't > plan to do any more "big months" in the near future so those who think such > activities are silly (they are, but they are also fun) or think competition > of any kind is a bad thing can direct their emails of disapproval somewhere > else. > > Al Stokie > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Ne. Lake County latter January highlights (inc. Pacific Loon) From: "ericwalt40" <ericwalters7 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:13:30 -0000 For the first time since childhood, I was sad to leave January in the rear-view mirror. With a peak of 64 degrees up here today, no ice on the big Lake, no snow preventing beach hikes and strong warm southwest winds all day, what's not to like about January! Some of the more unusual birds up here, found while meandering around town or stopping for short nature stops during the 2nd half of January include: Best Day: Jan 31st, 64 degrees and Pacific Loon, 2 Ross's Geese, Black Scoter! With my binocs, I saw a small loon close in to shore (within 40 yards) before it dove underwater. I suspected it was a Red-throated since they are one of the earliest Spring waterbird migrants. But after surfacing and subsequently seeing it 7-8 times over the next 20+ minutes while it `fed' its way northward, I was able to see the rounded head/nape, the very dark back, seemingly dark head (light getting lower), small bill, white throat region and small loon size, I realized it was a much better loon than just a RT. I was surprised at what seemed like an extremely early date for this species, but subsequently noticed there was a Pacific Loon photographed and seen for a few days in mid-January at the southern side of Lake Michigan in Indiana. I would think this is likely that same bird moving northward. I watched the bird progress for about a mile along the lakefront and if someone were to make an attempt tomorrow, I'd encourage starting at North Point Marina. Of course, if this loon is migrating into the evening, then it'd be well in to Wisconsin by now, so perhaps looking further up the lakefront could be just as profitable. Midday today I happened to be at Lewis Ave/31st. St. in Zion when I noticed a flock of Canadian Geese with 2 white ones mixed in. I just presumed they were Snow's, until I got my binocs on them and noticed how much smaller they were. Of course, it made sense then, as Ross's Geese do migrate northward earlier than Snow's. This experience confirmed once again to always have a pair of binocs ready to use while just traveling around town. Perhaps even more amazing was how fast these geese were moving. I got up over 45 mph along Lewis heading north and I couldn't even keep pace with their speed. Aided by the 25+ mph Sw winds, I estimated these geese were flying at least 55 mph and probably 60 mph! The Black Scoter was a solo bird at IBSP, for some reason flying south, not long after sunrise. It was a subadult male/female type. An amazing weather day, with evidence of an extremely early migration in progress for a few waterbird species. Best Feeder Birds: 3 Common Redpolls (Jan 20th) and Red-breasted Nuthatch (Jan 27th-28th) The redpolls showed up for only 15 minutes the afternoon of this winter's biggest snowstorm. On that date, I also had my only winter record of American Tree Sparrow, a peak of 25 Goldfinch along with 6 Pine Siskens. A Mourning Dove at day's end was still pecking for millet in the snow 40 minutes after sunset (i.e. 10 minutes past dusk)! With all the redpolls moving south from Minnesota this past Fall, it was thought there'd be a massive invasion this winter. Sadly, it looks like it was a bust from expectations, although they do look like they are going thru there later winter staging before moving back north, so more redpolls might be a possibility at a number of area feeders. The nuthatch was the first one of this winter, only staying for a minute each day, then not coming back. They've been tough to find this year, so I wasn't expected the pleasures of its presence at my feeder. Other good waterfowl/birds: Merlin (Jan 17th), seen flying east from Zion's Shiloh Park area, then curving to an E/NE direction, heading to some unknown roost in or near IBSP. This was 20 minutes prior to sunset and also marks the 3rd winter of the last 6 I've had at least 1 sighting of this rare winter bird in this city. These used to require CBC documentation some 5 years ago, but certainly have increased as a wintering species, even if still rarely found. Long-tailed Ducks (pair) and Northern Pintail (pair) and 230 Common Mergansers at North Point Marina. The LT's were flying north into Wisconsin, fairly close to shore. The Pintails were likely early Spring migrants (typically the 1st dabbler duck species to arrive up here), sitting on the harbor ice. Unexpectedly, the Mergs were all flying southward! Still other sightings: Northern Shrike overwintering at Spring Bluff Forest Preserve (immediately west of North Point Marina). Seen at least 4 times in last 2 weeks. The IBSP south unit roost never materialized this year which seems surprising. However, the north unit roost, alittle smaller and much less known, continues on. Historically, it's primary roosting species has been robins and that still is true today, with 27 noted on Jan 16th and a flock of 32 flying SE not far from there the morning of Jan 26th. The earlier reported Rough-legged Hawk hunting in the IBSP Sand Pond vicinity was still present during Jan 26th-29th. The largest crow flock I've had up here in 7+ years reached 135, flying SE through the IBSP southern prairie section on Jan 26th. Pine Siskens seemed to have increased this January, even if in small numbers. The largest group was of 11 adjancent to Spring Bluff FP on Jan 20th. Coyote tracks in many locations, with 2 photographed walking over a Spring Bluff FP pond on Jan 29th. Eric Walters Zion, IL ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET RFI Carolina Wren Lake County From: Beau Schaefer <beauschaefer AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:03:49 -0600 If anyone knows of a good spot right now for Carolina Wrens in Lake County, I would appreciate the info. Thanks. Beau Schaefer round lake beach, IL lake county beauschaefer AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET lake county Tufted Titmouse From: Beau Schaefer <beauschaefer AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:08:35 -0600 I was finally able to refind Bill Saylor's TUFTED TITMOUSE from a week or 2 ago at the Oak Spring Rd. canoe launch in Libertyville. I've had this bird calling on 2 other occasions on the opposite side of the river in an inaccessible backyard, so it was very rewarding today to finally get a good look at a Lake County Lifer for me and Lake County bird #82. Go Get 'Em Beau Schaefer round lake beach, IL lake county beauschaefer AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET John James Audubon in Illinois program 2/7 in Grayslake (NO SIGHTINGS) From: Rena Cohen <rena1729 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:54:55 -0800 (PST) Next Tuesday, February 7 at 7 pm, storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis" will celebrate the 200th anniversary of John James Audubon's initial visit to Illinois with a performance at College of Lake County in Grayslake. Assuming the role of Audubon himself (if you've never seen him, he is very entertaining), "Fox" will tell tales of Audubon's adventures in Illinois, including his encounters with Passenger Pigeons and Carolina Parakeets during his epic walk across our state in the spring of 1811. The presentation is based on Audubon's journals, essays, letters, and three short stories about his time in Illinois, and will also feature images of Audubon's art.   This free, family-friendly event is sponsored by Lake/Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society and the Lake County Audubon Society. Bring yourselves, children, grandchildren, parents, friends, neighbors - the room holds several hundred people. College of Lake County 19351 W. Washington Street Grayslake (See map at http://www.lakecookaudubon.org/Birding_Programs.html) Auditorium, Room C005, in C buildingPark in lots 4, 5 & 6   Rena Cohen Highland Park Lake County7 pm, Tuesday, February 7 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Final Post On Adding January Species In DuPage Co & On Listing Games In General Tues 1-31-12 From: Al Stokie <alstokie99 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:51:57 -0600 Hello Bird People, Today's last day of the month attempt to add species to my January 2012 total went about like most of the other days this month. I had 6 target species & found 3 of them, better than I have been doing in the last few days. I birded DuPage Co with important information from Jeff Smith & Mike Madsen & help in the field from Pete Moxon who once again showed he can see birds quicker & better than I can. We covered Springbrook Prairie, Elson's Hill, Pella Ponds & parts of Pratts Wayne Woods, all places I used to bird more often than I do lately. My 6 targets were Winter Wren (missed it), Hermit Thrush (missed it), Pheasant (got it), White Crowned Sparrow (got it), White Fronted Geese (got it) & Long Eared Owl (missed it). You may be interested to know that I have spent a total of 6 hours trying for Long Eared Owls with several birders with me at various places & failed every time. But overall I did very well with owls so I can't complain. Here's the highlights of what I saw today & where I saw them: Springbrook Prairie & Nearby Roadsides Looked again here for Long Eared Owls but didn't see any. Saw one Red Tailed Hawk & one Harrier (IM) hunting over the fields & heard one Pheasant in an area protected from hawks by shrubs & brambles. I tried very hard to get a glimpse of this Pheasant as I don't like to put birds on my list without actually seeing them but the Pheasant proved to be better at staying out of view than I was at seeing it. We heard 1 or 2 Siskins here as they flew by. In a nearby roadside area we had 1 or 2 White Crowned Sparrow(s). Elson's Hill Pete had seen both Hermit Thrush & Winter Wren here recently but not today in spite of our best efforts. Best sighting here was a flock of 9-10 Purple Finches. Pella Ponds & Field Areas Must have been over 6000 Canada Geese in the area with numbers arriving & leaving all the time. Saw a few Cackling Geese mixed in but there were probably more than I could I.D. Highlight here was when a silent group of 5 White Fronted Geese flew in while I was using the scope on the large flocks of Canada's but Pete picked them out & I got to see them in flight while using the scope. Later another group of White Fronts (7) flew in while calling which made it easier to find them. Once they landed you couldn't pick them out of the Canada's due to how tightly packed the Geese were on the ground. Pratts Wayne Woods Another hour spent not finding Long Eared Owls with the only thing worth mentioning being a hunting Red Tailed Hawk. A fast stop at McDowell Grove found a large (100's) group of Starlings but not much else but it gave me one last chance to NOT find Hermit Thrush & Winter Wren. Oh well. Hidden Lake Stopped here by myself on my way home & saw a hunting Red Tailed Hawk & the Killdeer was still feeding on the mud flats. Heard a Kingfisher but didn't see it. Bird-Of-The-Day will be the White Fronted Geese which we saw in spite of their best efforts to sneak by us without being seen. For Lister Types Only:My total species for January 2012 ended up at 113 which was 112 seen plus Pheasant heard only. Although this total will be small compared to some of the month totals I have heard about it's a good total for the Northern Region only & is 13 better than I have ever done before & my previous totals are all I care about trying to beat. I don't plan to do any more "big months" in the near future so those who think such activities are silly (they are, but they are also fun) or think competition of any kind is a bad thing can direct their emails of disapproval somewhere else. Al Stokie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Diversey, Montrose, Lincoln Park Lagoon From: Steve Spitzer <steven0703 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:46:49 -0800 (PST) Hi Birders, Link will take you to a slide show of birds seen the last few days. http://www.flickr.com/photos/happy_peasant/sets/72157629122927223/show/ Harlequin and Redheads from lagoon and Diversey. Gulls from Diversey, as were Red-breasted Mergansers. Buffleheads and Common Merganser from Montrose. Steve SpitzerChicago - Cook [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Re: From: Kaitlyn Faries <jadeblue83 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:07:42 -0600 ... http://mabsan.com/work.link.php?icatid=25be1 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET Not mine: Prairie Falcon reported in Champaign Co. From: "B.G. Sloan" <bgsloan2 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:15:14 -0800 (PST) And I believe Bob Schifo has a few photos of the Prairie Falcon...   Bernie Sloan --- On Tue, 1/31/12, douglas stotz wrote: From: douglas stotz Subject: IBET Not mine: Prairie Falcon reported in Champaign Co. To: "ilbirds" Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 7:19 PM   A Prairie Falcon was reportedly seen this morning by Bob Schifo in southern Champaign Co. It was reported on the birdnotes listserve from SE of the Frito-Lay plant near Sidney. This is a bit SE of Champaign-Urbana. Best I can tell the Frito-Lay plant is about 2 miles east of Sidney along county road 15, which goes to Homer. Doug Stotz -- Douglas Stotz Conservation Ecologist/Ornithologist Environmental and Conservation Programs Field Museum of Natural History 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: (312)-665-7438 Fax: (312)-665-7433 e-mail: dstotz AT fieldmuseum.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET Harlequin Update From: NorekJ AT aol.com Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:11:13 -0500 (EST) The attack-the-Harlequin photos are astounding. (Rather upsetting too, but not to be missed.) Thanks John. Joan Norek Chicago norekj AT aol.com Hope is the thing with feathers - that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops at all. - Emily Dickinson [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Cooper's Hawk and BCNH at South Pond From: "picken1630" <john AT picken.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:46:03 -0000 I had some nice views of the Cooper's Hawk and some somewhat obscured views of the Black-crowned Night Heron down at South Pond this morning. There were three BCNH's a few weeks ago but on my last two trips down there I've only seen one. It was wide awake and moving around quite a bit today. Hawk photos: http://tinyurl.com/847jh5g BCNH photos: http://tinyurl.com/73b34b5 John Picken ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Not mine: Prairie Falcon reported in Champaign Co. From: douglas stotz <dfstotz AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:19:13 -0600 A Prairie Falcon was reportedly seen this morning by Bob Schifo in southern Champaign Co. It was reported on the birdnotes listserve from SE of the Frito-Lay plant near Sidney. This is a bit SE of Champaign-Urbana. Best I can tell the Frito-Lay plant is about 2 miles east of Sidney along county road 15, which goes to Homer. Doug Stotz -- Douglas Stotz Conservation Ecologist/Ornithologist Environmental and Conservation Programs Field Museum of Natural History 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: (312)-665-7438 Fax: (312)-665-7433 e-mail: dstotz AT fieldmuseum.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Illiana Birds: Snowy Owl and Trumpeter Swans From: "Carolyn A. Marsh" <cmarshbird AT prodigy.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:48:16 -0600 A brief visit to William W. Powers Fish & Wildlife Area/Wolf Lake was rewarding. A SNOWY OWL was seen on the Illinois side of Wolf Lake. It was at the south end of the causeway (State Line Road) at the turn around facing west and sitting on the railroad track spur. This was an all white adult compared to the one seen before at Wolf Lake which was a first year. On the same causeway, facing east at the Indiana Toll Road embankment, there were 10 TRUMPETER SWANS, 7 adults and 3 first year with yellow neck bands (unable to see numbers.) I watched Josh and Jerry on "Chicago Tonight" and was grateful that the interview emphasized protecting the birds. No doubt all of the great articles by Chicago Tribune reporters including Sheryl DeVore, other news articles and TV exposure are all contributing to the national coverage. Josh Engel and Jerry Goldner discussing the Snowy Owl irruption in Chicago: http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2012/01/30/snowy-owls Carolyn Marsh, Whiting, Lake County, IN [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET: CBG From: Elizabeth de la Baume <e.delabaume AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:31:31 -0600 Hard to believe: There is still a flock of around 10 RB Mergansers and a couple of Gadwall at the Gardens. Along with one lone female Goldeneye. She seems to have replaced our female Bufflehead that was there for at least si weeks. A couple of Geese and a lot of Gulls around the construction site. At least 100 last Thursday. Difficult to identify all due to barricades and cloth put up around the site. Elizabeth de la Baume Northbrook e.delabaume AT comcast.net ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Harlequin Update From: "John Picken" <john AT picken.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:28:33 -0600 The Harlequin Duck was in the lagoon just south of the Fullerton bridge late this morning. It's not just the gulls harrassing her, the crows are too. See photos at: http://tinyurl.com/8ylpor2 Later on she dove and caught a fish but seemed to struggle to actually eat it. Eventually, a gull dive-bombed her, she dove again, and I never did see the fish again. More photos at: http://tinyurl.com/6svskm5 Tough life! John Picken ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Oak Ridge Cemetary - Springfield From: "Michael B" <motab1949 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:33:18 -0000 saw a few new birds for the year....Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped warbler and Pine Siskin. Nice day to be out. ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Short-eared owls at Northerly Island (no sighting) From: "markushoeckner" <markushoeckner AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:56:39 -0000 The short-eared owls start showing up in February as far as I remember from previous years. I was wondering if any one would know if the Snowy owl that is there at the moment would scare off any Short-eared owls. -Markus Cook Co. IL ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET no sighting-a snowy white owl & IL counties with snowy owls From: "Rhonda \(Monroe\) Rothrock" <woodthrusheola8 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:23:26 -0800 (PST) So, what's number of IL counties with confirmed snowy owls? Someone reported a snowy white owl in Jackson Co., seen on 01/26 after 7PM but it was in the same general area where a white barred owl was photographed just a year or two ago.  So I suspect it is the white barred owl.  Was never given the exact address of Thursday's report but it's much more likely to be the same white barred than a snowy, especially since it's a small lake surrounded by a woodland subdivision.   Rhonda Rothrock Pomona, Jackson County, IL "It is our choices, Harry, that showwhat we truly are, far more than our abilities." -- Albus Dumbledore(via J.K.Rowling), Harry Potter and the and the Chamber of Secrets, pg.333 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET (No sightings) link for WTTW last night with Josh and Jerry From: <malango AT rcn.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:13:20 -0600 Well done fellas! Luis Muñoz From: peggy hanna Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:57 AM To: ilbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: IBET (No sightings) link for WTTW last night with Josh and Jerry Hi Everyone, Since nobody has posted a link yet to see "Chicago Tonight" (aired last night on channel 11) which featured Josh Engel and Jerry Goldner discussing the Snowy Owl irruption in Chicago, I will. Here it is: http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2012/01/30/snowy-owls I think they represented the community well with plenty of facts about the Snowy and made great points that everyone could benefit from. As a bonus, you can even watch a Snowy regurgitate a pellet. Fascinating... Good Birding! Peggy Hanna Godley, IL mailto:Peghan01%40yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET suspicious From: "B.G. Sloan" <bgsloan2 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:07:05 -0800 (PST) This can happen to just about anyone, through no fault of their own. Spammers hijack someone's e-mail account and use the account to post spam. In fact, this happened to me a couple of months ago. Someone broke into Yahoo! and stole a lot of people's IDs and passwords (including mine). I was kicked off a number of e-mail lists because of this, and had to change my Yahoo! password and resubscribe to a bunch of lists after convincing the listowners I was no longer a threat. A very educational experience. :-( Bernie Sloan --- On Tue, 1/31/12, Jill Niland wrote: From: Jill Niland Subject: Re: IBET suspicious To: "Anthony Green" , "IBET" Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 1:12 PM Yes. I've gotten several similar emails from different 'people' over time on this list serve.  Put them in junk mail/spam folder.   Jill Niland, Chicago From: Anthony Green To: IBET Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:30 AM Subject: IBET suspicious May we all assume that the email from "Kaitlyn Faries" is a fake and perhaps a trap? Anthony Green Wilmette IL 60091 anthonyrgreen AT sbcglobal.net ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Re: FW: Photographer. (UNCLASSIFIED) From: jeffrey smith <callswithcrows AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:57:04 -0600 The lady doth protest too much, methinks Cheers, Jeffrey Smith (the other one) Retired Florida DEP wildlife biologist Part-time Bloomington resident [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET No Sightings 2012 IOS Grants Sponsorships From: "denismb60045" <denismb AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:28:06 -0000 The Illinois Ornithological Society, IOS, has announced the 2012 Grants Program and are soliciting grant requests. We are now seeking sponsors and donations to fund these requests. In 2004 the Illinois Ornithological Society started a Grants Program and awarded 2 grants totaling $450. The program has proven to be a great success and in 2011 14 grant requests were received and seven $1,000 grants were awarded.. Funding was received from both organizations and individuals. IOS has budgeted a minimum of $3,000 and would like to raise additional funds so more requests can be funded. IOS will be glad to function as a clearing house for the requests. Grants can awarded for any amount up to $1,000. The requesters (most are graduate students) are appreciative of any amount of funding. Any organization or individual(s) may fund a grant. We will also help combine contributions to fund requests. Any amount is appreciated – you do not need to contribute any preset amount. IOS will help evaluate the projects and, if you want, you can contact the grantees and make the award yourself. All we ask is that the grantees commit to writing an article about their project for the IOS quarterly journal, The Meadowlark. Organizations and individual contributors will be recognized in the Grants Announcement article in April. Grant awards will be announced by April 15, 2012. You can contact me via e-mail at denismb AT comcast.net or at 847-235-2738. Or you can send your check made out to IOS to: IOS Grants Attention Denis Bohm PO Box 931 Lake Forest, IL 60045 Thank you, Denis Bohm, IOS Grants Chair. ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET Diversey Harbor Harlequin Duck From: Steve Spitzer <steven0703 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:23:27 -0800 (PST) That's because they all went south into the lagoon as far as they could before hitting the ice. Steve Spitzer --- On Tue, 1/31/12, Craig wrote: From: Craig Subject: IBET Diversey Harbor Harlequin Duck To: ILbirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 11:49 AM   The female HARLEQUIN DUCK was still present in Diversey Harbor at 8 AM today (January 31) along with several REDHEADS. She was just north of the Fullerton Avenue bridge. When I returned about 20 minutes later (after checking North Pond) only one female Redhead remained. Craig Thayer Chicago [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: IBET suspicious From: Jill Niland <bwwarbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:12:51 -0800 (PST) Yes. I've gotten several similar emails from different 'people' over time on this list serve.  Put them in junk mail/spam folder.   Jill Niland, Chicago From: Anthony Green To: IBET Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:30 AM Subject: IBET suspicious   May we all assume that the email from "Kaitlyn Faries" is a fake and perhaps a trap? Anthony Green Wilmette IL 60091 anthonyrgreen AT sbcglobal.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Re: sandhill cranes, Kane Co From: Casey Buchanan <jungrrl AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:59:56 -0600 I saw (and heard) a single crane fly over the Lincoln Park Zoo on Saturday and thought it was odd, but that¹s definitely what it was! Casey Chicago, IL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Diversey Harbor Harlequin Duck From: "Craig" <tanagers49 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:49:37 -0000 The female HARLEQUIN DUCK was still present in Diversey Harbor at 8 AM today (January 31) along with several REDHEADS. She was just north of the Fullerton Avenue bridge. When I returned about 20 minutes later (after checking North Pond) only one female Redhead remained. Craig Thayer Chicago ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET Common Redpolls, Dupage County From: "andrewsaldrich" <andrewsaldrich AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:41:49 -0000 I just had a flock of 40-50 Common Redpolls outside of my office. They were perched for a while, then feeding in the meadow next door, then circled a few times before taking off. By the time I got my camera out of my car they were gone, but I heard a couple of call notes, so they might be back. I work near the Route 59 Train Station in Aurora. Andrew Aldrich Aurora, IL (Will County) ------------------------------------ Subject: IBET suspicious From: "Anthony Green" <AnthonyRGreen AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:30:01 -0600 May we all assume that the email from "Kaitlyn Faries" is a fake and perhaps a trap? Anthony Green Wilmette IL 60091 anthonyrgreen AT sbcglobal.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------