March 2007

I just discovered a small (as in only 9.67 acres) preserve in Boone County called Flora Prairie Nature Preserve. This preserve is one of the very few parcels of native prairie in Boone County and is most known for a native plant known as the wooly milkweed. This plant is state endangered but was last [...]

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Three days ago the first Eastern Phoebe of the year was sighted in Winnebago County at Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve, a wonderful yet often busy birdspot. With Red-winged Blackbirds calling on nearly every country road fence post, Eastern Meadowlarks singing at Rock Cut State Park, it feels like Spring is finally here.
A cool fact about [...]

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eBird is the online birding checklist submission headquarters. Birders from all over the U.S. (Canada and elsewhere too) can submit their bird sightings through an easy to use form. This data can be used to develop trends in bird populations as well as to determine abundancy and dates when birds are at a particular location. [...]

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Winnebago County is located in the north central tip of Illinois. It shares its border with Wisconsin. This county is a crossroads of transitional ecosystems, where east meets west and north meets south. Winnebago County is a prime birding location, especially during spring and fall migration. Apporoximately 324 birds have been [...]

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I was pleasently surprised to find a Song Sparrow outside my bedroom window this morning, mingling with the Dark-eyed Juncos. These birds are so common when I’m out birding but in our yard they are seldom found (compared to other sparrows like Fox and White-throated). This is probably what I love most about birding. [...]

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