We’ve hit the proverbial wall at the Callaway Nature Preserve. This past week we’ve had no new migrating birds besides the hoards of ravenous White-throated Sparrows. After the excitement of the willow tree collapse, the birding has been the opposite – boring! But we suspect some Northern Cardinals are on eggs and the White-breasted Nuthatches
Tag: birding Illinois
CNP Update: Downies and Drippers
Another Thursday, another week of new migrants. An Eastern Towhee made an appearance (finally!) along with a Brown Thrasher and the ever aggressive House Wren is back. Monday brought in almost a dozen Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a few more Hermit Thrushes as well. The Downy Woodpecker couple is still working on their hole. The highlights
CNP Update: More Spring Arrivals
Spring is still springing, and we finally hit 70 degrees at the CNP. We have had a few new species since last Thursday. Hermit Thrush – a new spring arrival The yard has been so wet, a couple of Mallards landed nearby, not a usual visitor to the CNP. More rain (goodbye 70-degree-day) is predicted
April Snow Brings Lotsa Loons
Common Loon This morning we were bound and determined to make a short trip to Rock Cut State Park. By the time we arrived, it was fiercely snowing. We were rewarded with not one Common Loon, but ten as well as a dozen Great Blue Heron. Photography was a challenge, but we managed to get
CNP Update: Sparrows, Sapsuckers, and More
Spring finally hit this past week with warm temperatures and lots of bird song. Unfortunately, the warmth comes and goes..there is even a possibility for snow this weekend. But nonetheless, spring has come. Each day seems to bring in new birds to our Callaway Nature Preserve, so we plan to update each Thursday. Fox Sparrows
Early Spring at the CNP
At our backyard birding spot, the Callaway Nature Preserve (CNP), we get a fair amount of birds especially in Spring. A couple days ago we had some torrential rain that left the yard a flooded, muddy mess and has attracted a small army of American Robins. Pre-Robinian yard Hungry American Robin Snatching up a worm
Callaway Nature Preserve in December
A couple days ago 5+ inches of snow fell in Rockford and beautified our backyard nature preserve. Over the last five years or so we have found 96 species of birds at the C.N.P. Here’s what it looked like (although the only birds of note were Dark-eyed Juncos and American Goldfinches): The snow provided a
Birding Chicago
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
