Phriday Photo
December 21, 2007
Article in: Photography
The “Winter Warbler” of the Midwest
Rockford Christmas Bird Count
December 20, 2007
Article in: Bird Conservation
The Rockford Christmas Bird Count took place on Saturday, December 15th in our home town of Rockford, Illinois. This is our second of four counts this season.
The Birdfreak Team was split into two groups so we were able to see a wide variety of birds. It snowed from the time we began (around 7 AM) until Veery’s group returned (around 5:30 PM).
Veery’s Team
The team consisted of our sister, Susan (aka Snowy Owl), Veery’s son Dakota, our dad, and two great birders that live on our street, Jack and Joyce. Dakota and Susan were on their very first Christmas Bird Count and they had a wonderful time (despite being cold and worn out).
The bird highlights were several owl species including Long-eared Owl, massive amounts of American Tree Sparrows, Rough-legged Hawks, many Ring-necked Pheasants, and 4 Common Redpolls.
Birdfreak’s Team
This team consisted of a great birder named Kevin and two birders from Byron, a town south of us. Our area consisted of a lot of open areas and not as much forest. We decided soon after lunch to call it a day due to poor visibility from the snowstorm.
The bird highlights were Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike – seen in the same area; 2 Great Blue Herons and a Belted Kingfisher (good when most of the water is frozen); Carolina Wren and a good variety of birds throughout (although in small numbers).
While we don’t have the official numbers we do know that the field teams have tallied (so far) 70 species including six species of owls (highlighted by the Snowy Owl). Other highlights not seen by our two groups included: Sandhill Crane, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Winter Wrens, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Savannah Sparrow.
We’ll update when we get final numbers.
Birding Chicago
December 19, 2007
Article in: Birding
Although we live less than 100 miles from Chicago, Illinois, it is not a well-worn path for us. It seems between finding time and our unfamiliarity with the busy area, we just don’t get that way often.
Chicago birders are an important part of our avian community and a key factor in our rare bird theory. Partially, we feel that the Chicago region is “covered” and we should be exploring our areas that don’t have as many birders.
Chicago was the first United States city to implement a program to dim lights for migratory birds and they also look out for migratory birds with their Chicago Bird Collision Monitors group.
The Bird Conservation Network is a coalition of birding organizations focusing on conservation in and near Chicago.
BCN is a coalition organization whose current members are 20 bird clubs, Audubon groups, ornithological societies and other conservation organizations located primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area. The members of our member groups aggregate in excess of 40,000 people. BCN’s mission is the conservation of birds and the habitats they need to survive. There is no full time staff; BCN’s board is made up of volunteer representatives from the member groups who carry out the needed work.
Links to more Chicago-area bird/conservation websites:
- Chicago Audubon Society
- Chicago Wilderness
- The Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide (PDF)
Lost Mound Christmas Bird Count
December 18, 2007
Article in: Bird Conservation
This is a recap of our first of four Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs). This year marks the 108th year for Christmas Bird Counts.
The Lost Mound is located in northwestern Illinois, bordering the Mississippi River near the town of Savanna. This area was once a bustling army depot and now is partially a portion of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
Bald Eagles in the distance along the shore of the Mississippi River
The history is long and complicated, but currently this location is one of the best birding spots in the state. Not only that, but this is a top-notch location for photography, full of dilapidated buildings, railroad cars, and interesting views of the Mississippi River.
But, since we were doing a count, photography took a back seat and each of the birds discovered required a lot of work in the cold and icy conditions.
We started out with a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and throughout the day nailed all seven possible woodpeckers in our area (a first for us!).
Red-headed Woodpecker
Raptors were well represented with 66 Bald Eagles, 5 Rough-legged Hawks, 12 Red-tailed Hawks, and 1 each of Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Our group was also able to get a response from a pair of Barred Owls.
Rough-legged Hawk hovering at a distance
Our group ended up the day with 36 species, a descent total considering ducks were in low numbers and we didn’t have a single gull. Most of our birding was along the river and songbird diversity was low due to the recent ice storms. The seven species of woodpeckers included:
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Northern Flicker
Christmas Bird Counts are wonderful because every bird counts. And how many times do you get to say, “Just another Bald Eagle”?
One of our 46 immature Bald Eagles
Corridors For Tomorrow
December 17, 2007
Article in: Bird Conservation
Connecting habitat fragments are thought to be good for wildlife (as opposed to small disconnected pieces). One of the ways Illinois is trying to connect habitat is through a program called Corridors for Tomorrow, initiated in 1993.
The Illinois Interstate highway system is the third largest in the nation, with about 1,900 miles of corridors, 370 interchanges, and 31 open or proposed rest areas. Associated with this system is about 135,000 acres of land. These corridors are in state ownership and are subject to far less pressure from economic and ownership changes than most land in the state. – Corridors for Tomorrow
The traditional way to manage highway roadsides is to plant non-native species along with herbicide usage and mowing. As we grow into an age of mainstream conservation, an alternative use of this area is to provide habitat for Illinois’ birds, plants, mammals, and insects.
The Illinois Department of Transportation program called Corridors for Tomorrow has planted 5,500 acres of flowers and grasses to simulate the historic prairie landscape. Today’s roadside prairie is a mix of native and nonnative species chosen for visual interest and the ability to thrive under roadside conditions.
Red-tailed Hawk
Corridors for Tomorrow also constructed perches for raptors along highway corridors. During the course of the project 20 of these were placed along selected Interstate highways in Illinois.
Illinois’ goal with this program, combined with other ongoing programs, is to establish over 10,000 acres of native grasses and wildflowers along our highways.
Related info:
- Illinois Roadside Wildflowers
- Wildflowers of Illinois established in 2003
Phriday Photo
December 14, 2007
Article in: Photography
This Northern Cardinal in Rockford, Illinois doesn’t look one bit afraid of winter’s chill
Bird Conservation and Christmas Cheer
December 13, 2007
Article in: Bird Conservation
Business has the power to impact bird conservation in many ways, by recycling, becoming more energy efficient, or partnering with environmental organizations to turn portions of their revenue in to conservation dollars.
What better way to practice bird conservation than to relax with a glass of wine? The Hummingbird Society partnered with Clos LaChance Winery in San Martin, California to mix business, pleasure, and conservation, creating The Hummingbird Series
[Clos LaChance Winery] proposed creating a new “Threatened Hummingbirds” series of wine to benefit one particular hummingbird species at risk of extinction each year. A significant part of all sales (at least 15%) is passed on to the Society to specifically help conservation efforts for that species. -The Hummingbird Society
So, what say we celebrate birds with a 2004 Violet-Crowned Merlot or a 2006 Glittering-Throated Emerald Chardonnay? There are seven different wines offered in the Hummingbird Series, so check them out and help out our hummers!
Wingscape BirdCam – Winter Water Source
December 12, 2007
Article in: Birding
Having open water in below freezing temperatures is a great way to attract birds. We have a heated bird bath at the Callaway Nature Preserve and decided to set up our Wingscapes BirdCam and see who was coming to get a drink.
Shock of shocks, this squirrel was captured getting a drink.
Someone crashed this House Sparrow party
Euro Starling and a Blue Jay
We have tons of House Finches, but didn’t know about this lone female Purple Finch
More starlings dirtying up the water
We have been using the BirdCam a lot more recently. We will try to have another report of how it is handling the ice and snow as well as a barrage of squirrels using it as a launch pad to try and get on the feeders.
