Deer Run Forest Preserve Grows by 80 Acres!
December 9, 2011
Article in: Bird Conservation
We are pleased to announce that one of our favorite forest preserves is growing by 80 acres! The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District has acquired 80 acres of farmland that is adjacent to Deer Run Forest Preserve.
This is the location where we spent a year doing surveys and discovered that in one calendar year 145 species of birds used the protected land.
We are super excited as this is an area we had dreamed about the county purchasing. It brings the total acreage of the preserve to 675 acres, a nice amount considering this is part of the much larger Kishwaukee River Corridor.
Tractor on the land that was acquired
Henslow’s Sparrow is quite regular at Deer Run
Barred Owls are relatively easy to find here
Note: Is anyone familiar with such a reddish-brown Barred Owl?
Read the story from the Rockford Register Star.
Target Birds and a Late Night at Deer Run Forest Preserve
May 27, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
This is the part two of six of Birdfreak’s 72-hour birding extravaganza. Our goal was to find as many bird species as possible within Winnebago County, Illinois.
After resting up, we headed over to Espenscheid Memorial Forest Preserve in hopes of finding a White-eyed Vireo. Success! We believe this bird is or will be nesting here.
We then jetted over to Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve where last Tuesday Birdfreak found a Clay-colored Sparrow. He was there singing away…could we hope for nesting?
Sunset at Deer Run Forest Preserve
With a new bird high, we headed to Deer Run Forest Preserve. Our plan was to stay until dark. A long hike to where we once found a Yellow-breasted Chat went chatless. A lucky alternative was a close encounter with a Black-billed Cuckoo!!
We had new finds of Orchard Oriole and Savannah Sparrow. Henslow’s Sparrow hiccuped as darkness fell. A familiar peent alerted us to American Woodcocks which we observed displaying. Other night birds included Barred and Great Horned Owls and a Common Nighthawk.
Sunset at Deer Run Forest Preserve
