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Viewing the bog at Glacial Park. Great Egrets were foraging and
a probable American Bittern was briefly seen.
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Getting a taste of Hackmatack
(published 7-29-14)
Like most birders, I am a collector. My prized collection is
a list of bird species I’ve seen during my 55 years on earth. But I also
collect places, and it was a pleasure to recently add another National Wildlife
Refuge to my inventory of good birding memories.
You’ve probably heard something about Hackmatack, the newly
established preserve that straddles the Illinois-Wisconsin border. The word is
Native American and means tamarack tree. For birders, Hackmatack means a
wonderful opportunity to explore the first and only National Wildlife Refuge
within 100 miles of Chicago.
On Father’s Day I went to see it for myself, joining a bird
walk arranged by the Chicago Ornithological Society. The 50-mile drive from
Glen Ellyn was interesting. Now I finally know where Wauconda is! I also passed
through the pleasant little town of Lakemoor and noticed signs for Volo.
This was all new territory for me, including our designated
meeting place, Glacial Park Conservation Area in McHenry County. The 3,200-acre Glacial Park is one of the key
pieces of open land that comprise Hackmatack, itself a collection of federal,
state, county and private parcels. The refuge, officially born in 2012, will
eventually consist of 11,000 acres under federal jurisdiction through
easements, partnerships and purchases from willing sellers. It’s a “corridor
style” refuge designed to grow over time.
Our band of 11 birders was fortunate to have an expert
guide, Randy Schietzelt from McHenry County Audubon. A resident of Crystal
Lake, Randy started birding 40 years ago and served MCA as president for 14
years. He also was part of the long and successful grass-roots conservation
effort that made Hackmatack NWR a reality.
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| Yellow-headed Blackbird by Jackie Bowman |
Before the walk began I found Randy aiming his spotting
scope toward Lost Valley Marsh, from the parking area next to the historic
Powers-Walker House. A rule of thumb in birding is to show up on time because the
best birds of the day are often seen from the meeting place parking lot. Certainly
two of them were before us now, Black Tern and Yellow-headed Blackbird. Only one tern was zipping around the wetland but
multiple yellow-heads played hide and seek in the tall rushes.
Eastern Meadowlarks and Red-Winged Blackbirds provided background vocals as Randy gave a short overview on Hackmatack. A pair of Bobolinks flew by during his remarks as well. Yes, this would be a fine morning of birding.
Eastern Meadowlarks and Red-Winged Blackbirds provided background vocals as Randy gave a short overview on Hackmatack. A pair of Bobolinks flew by during his remarks as well. Yes, this would be a fine morning of birding.
How could it not be? The diversity of habitat at Glacial
Park is excellent and that means a wide variety of birds. Our walk took us
through or alongside sedge meadows, savannas, tallgrass prairies, glacial kames
(hills) and wetlands. There was even a bog, on the edge of which we observed an
active Orchard Oriole nest, a first for me.
It was also at the bog where some in our group spotted a
probable American Bittern before it settled down in the weeds. We waited a good
while and played the bird’s distinctive song but it never reappeared.
Gusty winds hampered our search for grassland specialties
like Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows.
They were likely present but hunkered down during our walk. The Bobolinks were more cooperative.
Another highlight for me was a singing male Eastern Towhee.
This one wasn’t a bit shy, affording us nice long views as he performed his
trademark “drink your tea” ditty. I’ve always loved towhees and don’t see them
nearly enough. They like to hide in the underbrush.
Our species total after a full morning was just north of 50.
Had the walk taken place a month earlier, during spring migration, we might
have seen 100. But this day was not about running up a list. It was about
getting a first look at a special place that’s sure to gain a reputation as one
of our region’s birding hotspots. Many birders, especially those in McHenry County,
already know it as such.
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| Randy Schietzelt was our leader. |
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar referred to Hackmatack
as “a crown jewel for this part of Illinois and Wisconsin.”
The refuge is reportedly home to 49 birds that are rare or
declining “species of concern.” So this is first and foremost about wildlife
and land conservation. Hackmatack is a big win for birds and nature, and of
course that’s good news for birders as well.
If you go, I recommend starting at the Lost Valley Visitor
Center inside Glacial Park. The sparkling
four-year-old facility offers interpretive exhibits and free literature, plus a
great view (and good birding) from the elevated outdoor deck. An excellent hiking trail is adjacent to the
building. For more information visit mccdistrict.org.
Copyright 2014 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2014 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.