This is the part six of six of Birdfreak’s 72-hour birding extravaganza. Our goal was to find as many bird species as possible within Winnebago County, Illinois. Our last ditch effort to find warblers led us to Espenscheid Memorial Forest Preserve where 100 yards in, we heard a Cape May Warbler and spotted Canada and
Tag: 72-hour count
Long Walks and Western Meadowlarks
This is the part five of six of Birdfreak’s 72-hour birding extravaganza. Our goal was to find as many bird species as possible within Winnebago County, Illinois. We started our third and last day a bit later, departing for Sugar River Alder Forest Preserve at 0600. We were in search of warblers, Red-headed Woodpecker, and
Vireo Set Completed and A Field of Kingbirds
This is the part four of six of Birdfreak’s 72-hour birding extravaganza. Our goal was to find as many bird species as possible within Winnebago County, Illinois. Anna Page Park We birded Anna Page Park after Sugar River Forest Preserve on day two. It was 70 degrees when we began our hike in search of
Continue reading Vireo Set Completed and A Field of Kingbirds
Hawking and A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
This is the part three of six of Birdfreak’s 72-hour birding extravaganza. Our goal was to find as many bird species as possible within Winnebago County, Illinois. We started the day at 0330 but hit a road block when we were unable to negotiate the tricky lock at Nygren Wetlands where we got permission to
Target Birds and a Late Night at Deer Run Forest Preserve
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
Continue reading Target Birds and a Late Night at Deer Run Forest Preserve
Low Warblers in High Places
This is the part one of six of Birdfreak’s 72-hour birding extravaganza. Our goal was to find as many bird species as possible within Winnebago County, Illinois. Olive-sided Flycatcher at Rock Cut State Park We began our 72-hour birding event at 0330 at Pecatonica Wetlands in the hopes of finding bitterns and rails. We struck
72 Hour Bird Count Preview
May is our favorite time of year as thousands of colorful, amazing birds make their way into northern Illinois. Last year we decided to enter the birdiest county contest for our county, Winnebago, which involved doing a 72 hour consecutive block of birding. (Of course, we didn’t bird for all that time, but any birds
72-Hour Birding Event – Day Three
Rose-breasted Grosbeak To complete our 72 hour birding event we hit up one of our favorite birding locations, Sugar River Forest Preserve. This is a great location for warblers, flycatchers, and a nice variety of wonderful birds. We added a Blackburian Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, and Red-shouldered Hawk. We struck out on Hooded Warbler and any