Deer Run Bird Survey Completed (Sort of)
December 11, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
This past year we have been surveying Deer Run Forest Preserve in an attempt to categorize, in a systematic way, the bird diversity of this prairie/oak savanna habitat. While we started out strong, some bumps along the way led to not as many surveys as we had hoped but still some interesting results.
Prothonotary Warbler at Deer Run
We visited the preserve over 30 times, some trips ranging from a brief stop on a lunch break to a near full day of hiking. Weather was rough in the winter with an amazing amount of snow and ice and we did not bird at the preserve in November.
Over the year we identified 145 species of birds within the confines of the 593 acres that are Deer Run. We counted 6,646 individual birds, the 20 most numerous listed below:
- Canada Goose [1,103]
- Red-winged Blackbird [689]
- American Robin [328]
- American Goldfinch [295]
- Song Sparrow [258]
- Northern Cardinal [209]
- Brown-headed Cowbird [202]
- European Starling [179]
- Field Sparrow [175]
- Mallard [165]
- Black-capped Chickadee [155]
- Common Yellowthroat [150]
- Common Grackle [140]
- American Tree Sparrow [139]
- Tree Swallow [132]
- Eastern Bluebird [119]
- House Wren [104]
- American Crow [90]
- Dark-eyed Junco [77]
- Indigo Bunting [73]
One individual of each of the following were spotted (22 species in all): American Coot, American Pipit, American Woodcock, Bald Eagle, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Canada Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow, Cliff Swallow, Eastern Screech-Owl, Fox Sparrow, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Green Heron, Le Conte’s Sparrow, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-headed Woodpecker, Rough-legged Hawk, Rusty Blackbird, Semipalmated Plover, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Yellow-breasted Chat.
We found 23 species of warblers and 17 kinds of sparrows. Of the birds we suspected to see, the biggest miss was the Carolina Wren.
So what did we learn from this survey? For starters, bird surveys are hard when A) there are only two of us doing them and B) you have nearly no time to adequately cover the area. Second, we found more species than we originally expected considering the habitat is mostly prairie, oak savannah, and some mixed forest that isn’t that great. Wetland area is lacking so there weren’t many waterbirds other than some found along the river and creeks, and a couple flyovers.
Our recommendation to the Winnebago County Forest Preserve, which we aren’t sure will hold much weight, is the following:
- Purchase adjacent farm land or work with current landowners to convert some of the fields to prairie. Work on reducing the scragglier woodlands and convert them into savannah. Overall the habitat has proved well for declining birds such as Dickcissels, Bobolinks, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Henslow’s Sparrows. If more of the habitat was prairie grassland and oak savannah, we suspect that these birds would be more prevalent and that birds such as Upland Sandpipers and Swainson’s Hawks would be attracted too.
Deer Run Bird Survey #17
September 20, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
A busy September made for a late start to September’s first D.R.B.S. The weather was sunny and high 70s, perfect for birding, following a very wet week here in northern Illinois.
Grasshoppers, butterflies, dragonflies, and many bees were the most numerous creatures, but we managed to find six Palm Warblers in the mix.
Palm Warbler
Another highlight was a lone Solitary Sandpiper, who very unceremoniously gulped a large earthworm after a short battle (though the drowned worm was already dead).
Solitary Sandpiper vs. Earthworm
The quiet day gave us 26 species and 136 individual birds. Plus, a bunch of neat insects.
Eastern Tiger Swallow-tail – Black Morph
Dragonfly
Deer Run Bird Survey – August Update
August 17, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
With a busier than expected July and August, we have been neglectful on doing full posts on our Deer Run Bird Surveys (D.R.B.S.) for a few weeks. However, we have still been collecting data and finding interesting birds. The plant-life is nearly more spectacular and certainly easier to photograph than the birds hiding in it.
Sedge Wren captured last year
Most notable was the first occurrence this year of Sedge Wrens. Somehow they passed us by in migration and early summer, but are now in full force at Deer Run. Information on local listservs indicates that Sedge Wrens will do “mini-migrations” south after nesting in the north and have another brood.
This is not too surprising considering the massive numbers of young House Wrens at our private nature preserve. Hardly a minute goes by during the day without the chattering of adult and baby wrens.
The other big news is a potential nesting Osprey along the Kishwaukee River. One was observed carrying a fish, which isn’t a direct sign but their presence is notable. They are not too common in our area and it seems a bit early for migration (but we are not Osprey experts).
Indigo Bunting – August 13th, 2008
August 13 Survey
Birds such as Red-winged Blackbirds were in shorter supply, but Sedge Wrens and Eastern Meadowlarks were plentiful on this survey. There were also high numbers of Indigo Buntings, Eastern Bluebirds, and Field Sparrows. The only warbler spotted was the Common Yellowthroat. This survey did not produce any Osprey, but there were quite a few Red-tailed Hawks soaring high above.
With the addition of Sedge Wren, the total species list thus far is 143. 32 species of 246 total birds found was our ending total for the day. Total birds so far for our survey total 6,215.
The weather has been spectacular; warm and full of sunshine. We are looking forward to fall migration even as we hope summer never ends.
Red-tailed Hawk
Butterflies and dragonflies were plentiful, although we have not identified them all yet. There was a high number of Tiger Swallowtails and Monarchs though as well as a lot of different types of grasshoppers along the prairie paths.
Deer Run Birding Field Trip-Survey
June 15, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
Saturday we were part of a wonderful field trip to Deer Run Forest Preserve, the place we have been surveying since December 1st. We had around 15 birders and saw quite a few nice prairie birds REALLY well.
Spiderwort
Over the last few days Veery and Birdfreak have each been out to Deer Run but not for an official survey. So for the field trip, we decided to merge all the birds sighted into one “mini” survey.
One of the big highlights was a new bird, a Clay-colored Sparrow, the 16th species of sparrow found here. This was found the previous day, but not relocated on our field trip. However, everyone had scope-views of Grasshopper and Henslow’s Sparrows and also great views of Dickcissels and Eastern Meadowlarks.
There were numerous Lark Sparrows, a confirmed nester as we witnessed them carrying food and feeding their young.
Eastern Kingbird (taken a few weeks ago)
Another new bird for the survey area was one of our prairie favorites, Dickcissel. We had both males and a female but heard them more often than we saw them.
We have now tallied 5,962 individual birds of 141 species.
Dickcissel
Deer Run Bird Survey – #14
June 5, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
Our last Deer Run Bird Survey for May (31st) and warbler migration is definitely slowing down. However, we found several new species including some from the past week by other local birders.
First, the new birds found from others:
- Bald Eagle
- Bay-breasted Warbler
- Canada Warbler
- Eastern Wood Pewee
- Green Heron
- Kentucky Warbler
- Philadelphia Vireo
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Semipalmated Plover
Over our 72 hour count we also added two new species on an unofficial survey: American Woodcock and Common Nighthawk.
Black-billed Cuckoo
We spent over 5 hours hiking and were thrilled to find a lot of cuckoos, including 8 Yellow-billed and 2 Black-billed. Warbler numbers were low but we believe there are Prothonotary Warblers nesting in the swampy areas.
Prothonotary Warbler singing on his territory
New birds:
- Blackpoll Warbler*
- Cliff Swallow
- Eastern Screech-Owl
- Olive-sided Flycatcher
- Scarlet Tanager
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo
- Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
We sighted 70 species and now have found 139 species for the survey area.
Total individual birds counted: 5,760
*sighted the following day on a non-survey outing
Deer Run Bird Survey #13
May 20, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
Making our third survey of the week, we did Deer Run Bird Survey #13 on Sunday, May 18th. It was by far our best survey yet in number of species as well as warbler diversity.
Wilson’s Warbler
We spent over six hours hiking and covered more than 7 miles. We were delighted to find four Henslow’s Sparrows and pleasantly surprised to find a Bobolink. Other interesting finds included Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-billed Cuckoo, and many Empidonax Flycatchers. We had 18 warblers total and four vireos.
Bobolink
We found a Red-breasted Nuthatch (a little late for them to still be here). Another cool find was a Gray-cheeked Thrush singing and hopping around in the brush. We found 674 birds of 85 species. That brings our overall total species count to 121 and 4925 individuals.
New Birds for the Count:
- Black-billed Cuckoo
- Black-throated Green Warbler
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Bobolink
- Chimney Swift
- Gray-cheeked Thrush
- Louisiana Waterthrush
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Willow Flycatcher
- Wilson’s Warbler
- Yellow-breasted Chat
Barred Owl
Deer Run Bird Survey #12
May 19, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
May 16 was our 12th Deer Run Bird Survey and we got our 100th species (and then some)!
Veery, Dad and Arizona (one of our canine helpers) started out around 8 in the morning and finished up by 11. It was around 60 degrees and sunny.
Arizona Doberman….canine birder
Our 99th species was a beautiful pair of Orchard Orioles. In a blaze of orange glory, we found number 100 singing in a large Cottonwood tree, the Baltimore Oriole.
We then passed up species number 100 with a Magnolia, Tennessee and Yellow Warbler, Yellow-throated, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireo, Cedar Waxwing and Bank Swallow!
A few other highlights included a baker’s dozen of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Great Crested Flycatcher, and American Redstart.
Baltimore Oriole is species number 100 for the D.R.B.S.!
Around ever corner we found a singing Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged Blackbird and Song Sparrow. The birds are frisky and love is definately in the air.
For this survey we had 329 individuals of 55 species. Our overall total consists of individual birds is 4251 of 108 species.
The Common Yellowthroat is a common species at Deer Run FP
Deer Run Bird Survey #11
May 17, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
The eleventh Deer Run Bird Survey started a bit slow. We were met with a brisk, constant breeze as we crossed the prairie around 6:00 AM on Wednesday. We only had an hour and a half before Birdfreak had to get to work so our numbers were destined to be a bit low.
Despite the low numbers of individuals, we still tallied 46 species including NINE new ones for the survey. The biggest highlights were two Henslow’s Sparrows and a life bird, Le Conte’s Sparrow!
Henslow’s Sparrow
The new birds for the survey:
- Alder Flycatcher
- American Redstart
- Golden-winged Warbler
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Indigo Bunting
- Le Conte’s Sparrow
- Rose Breasted Grosbeak
- Veery
- Wood Thrush
The list so far is at 98 species and 3,922 individual birds. We haven’t been able to do as many surveys or for as long as we’d like, but we are pleased with the diversity of birds and the project thus far.
