tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80224222024-03-13T07:49:11.317-05:00Words on BirdsJeff Reiter's newspaper column about birds, birding and birders, appearing in the <i>Daily Herald</i> (west suburban Chicago). Hatched in 2004!Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-35304453530612624612024-01-17T06:02:00.001-06:002024-01-18T19:29:12.666-06:00<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Recapping the 2023 birding year</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Local watchers experienced some mind-bending sightings<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 1-17-24)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHMmtKKgsys3lpgOCu3JT-nm2C-ch-U2Y-BBB-3q9hPsbEUIiIwl6bt-poWmdyCsPdPM6o6oe3ppIE3oppwvRId8M7Xl5w-qQr7rZDkvCUD_YQZBm_pIdKaVlYVVy58NtRuE3WpNfkaeghiQsqGZzGrpuj10Sb3MXgOALQU8HgGIuYpt6zKQ/s2048/Limpkin%20by%20Mike%20Warner%20(2).jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbHMmtKKgsys3lpgOCu3JT-nm2C-ch-U2Y-BBB-3q9hPsbEUIiIwl6bt-poWmdyCsPdPM6o6oe3ppIE3oppwvRId8M7Xl5w-qQr7rZDkvCUD_YQZBm_pIdKaVlYVVy58NtRuE3WpNfkaeghiQsqGZzGrpuj10Sb3MXgOALQU8HgGIuYpt6zKQ/w400-h266/Limpkin%20by%20Mike%20Warner%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">A Limpkin at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook was a <br />first for DuPage County. Photo by Mike Warner.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">For birders, the word invasion usually refers to birds from
the north coming south. We treasure the occasional winters when large numbers
of fleeting species such as crossbills, redpolls and Snowy Owls drop down to
visit our region. Years may pass before the phenomenon repeats. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2023, we experienced a reverse invasion, this time from Dixie,
and by a tropical species that until four years ago was entirely foreign to Illinois.
By mid-summer Limpkins were popping up all over the Midwest and other parts of
the country, even Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finding the big-billed wader in Chicagoland was easy, and
some days you could track one down in multiple counties. Individuals at Chicago
Botanic Garden and Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve were among the most
conspicuous, the latter being a first record for DuPage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Limpkins lingered through the fall and at least one into
winter, emboldened by relatively balmy weather conditions. As the holidays
approached, visions of Limpkin were dancing in the heads of Christmas Bird Count
participants. Insane!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEwNXaZvIwGyg_-68QEi0dcDZb2taplOQNSJebKYyMPDeqMqvtfEmDjNu6y4mbxrhhMqYrPTz_X9fEQMY_BDJQRndRfZAOvylZkfVjrBLCoqwdxsJDtSL4BkIEur8_mgbexhgtylGbAtR3ijCQEo-ov5PrhzwetYfXQJXJPLiHrJzV0ygda4X/s640/Flamingo%205%20by%20MC.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEwNXaZvIwGyg_-68QEi0dcDZb2taplOQNSJebKYyMPDeqMqvtfEmDjNu6y4mbxrhhMqYrPTz_X9fEQMY_BDJQRndRfZAOvylZkfVjrBLCoqwdxsJDtSL4BkIEur8_mgbexhgtylGbAtR3ijCQEo-ov5PrhzwetYfXQJXJPLiHrJzV0ygda4X/s320/Flamingo%205%20by%20MC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Five wayward American Flamingos created a public spectacle <br />north of Milwaukee. Photo by Matthew Cvetas.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Seeing a Limpkin in these parts is shocking enough, but
flamingos? Bizarre describes the scene in Port Washington, Wis., where in September
five American Flamingos frolicked on a Lake Michigan beach. Dozens of the tropical
long-leggers were blown north by Hurricane Idalia and touched down in 14 states,
most with no previous record of the species. Illinois wasn’t so lucky, but
plenty of birders scurried north for their own version of Summerfest.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was indeed a most entertaining year, filled with avian surprises
quite within reach—or at least a reasonable drive. Locally, the madness began
in March when Dan Lory spotted a juvenile Ross’s Gull along Lake Michigan, near
the Indiana line. The bombshell sighting of this rare arctic species triggered a
three-day rush to the lakefront. Binocular fingers trembled and not from the cold.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqRluZeR59aZPSlwTsQOXoq4QYR3poCN7Fka6RTb3VGuwjcWX64CWrFD-rnIuX04gt12gHWGzBobiEt4AVozxmEMA1qxAednXERtFKOAgjaszlh2JhU0izqJMY7NPFI-Qwd0xkD85vPYCr_H1xGtDkH_Ns6HrpQSDnG4zOn6ZjaI3BFPv9gT9/s4494/Ross's%20Gull%20by%20Matthew%20Zuro.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="4494" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqRluZeR59aZPSlwTsQOXoq4QYR3poCN7Fka6RTb3VGuwjcWX64CWrFD-rnIuX04gt12gHWGzBobiEt4AVozxmEMA1qxAednXERtFKOAgjaszlh2JhU0izqJMY7NPFI-Qwd0xkD85vPYCr_H1xGtDkH_Ns6HrpQSDnG4zOn6ZjaI3BFPv9gT9/s320/Ross's%20Gull%20by%20Matthew%20Zuro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">This juvenile Ross’s Gull on the Chicago lakefront <br />thrilled birders in March. Photo by Matt Zuro.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">I confess to being partial to rarities that stick around
long enough for lots of birders to see them. These so-called “stake out” birds lend
a fun social aspect to the hobby and build a sense of community. The Chicago
“Rossie” certainly did that, as did two other unexpected visitors.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">News spread quickly of a Rock Wren in West Chicago,
discovered by Haley Gottardo at Kress Creek Farms Park in October. I was a few
days late to the party but upon arrival there were four other helpful birders present,
all just as excited as me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another western wanderer, Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, caused a
stir on the campus of Northwestern University campus a couple weeks later. An
alert undergraduate, Collin Porter, reported the rarity and scores of birders thanked
him for a hard-to-get lifer. The only previous Illinois record of the species
came in 1990, in Will County.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two downstate birds also dialed up the crazy, both
first-time records. A Crested Caracara appeared in Fulton County last January, first
spotted by Marcia Heitz. In November, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird fueled up at a
backyard feeder in Champaign, </span><a name="_Hlk154242040" style="font-family: arial;">hosted by accommodating
homeowners Deanna and Doug Uphoff.</a></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk154242040;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFCCl_yCt-VwQXXAyMFWbrmvhAaaEV7t-aIXI8MG40pfg3Z2qldlYSEedgBpasUvWBeNVMK-UIA5Xehrrx4iMT3FQTE39VdvP7fZbf1FV7H5zJUgPfTbvU6CRIFsSMxf812uIAdWOdUwWxICG3X0JB30mpsmq4rf75Oblppx20BpfvCrETH-D/s3167/_A9A5271%20copy.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2365" data-original-width="3167" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFCCl_yCt-VwQXXAyMFWbrmvhAaaEV7t-aIXI8MG40pfg3Z2qldlYSEedgBpasUvWBeNVMK-UIA5Xehrrx4iMT3FQTE39VdvP7fZbf1FV7H5zJUgPfTbvU6CRIFsSMxf812uIAdWOdUwWxICG3X0JB30mpsmq4rf75Oblppx20BpfvCrETH-D/w320-h239/_A9A5271%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">A surprise Rock Wren lived up to its name in West Chicago, <br />delighting birders in October. Photo by Bonnie Graham.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">The surprise raptor and hummer raised the all-time Illinois
roster to 456 species. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Migration tragedy and other news<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The year 2023 was newsy in other ways, and not always good.
In fact, the biggest local bird story was so tragic it captured national
attention. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bird deaths from collisions with McCormick Place in Chicago exceeded
1,000 the night of October 4-5. Bright lights and a giant glass-covered building
in combination with high migration volume and rainy weather delivered the
deadly toll, comprised mostly of warblers. Bird advocacy groups immediately
petitioned McCormick Place management to implement known solutions for
preventing bird strikes under Chicago’s bird-friendly buildings ordinance. What
happened in October was largely preventable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Matt Igleski was named the first executive director of
Chicago Audubon Society, just before CAS changed its name to Chicago Bird
Alliance. The new moniker came about as a growing number of Audubon chapters
around the country seek to distance themselves from the problematic legacy of
their namesake, John James Audubon. The famous bird artist profited from the
slave trade and opposed abolition.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last March, after a lengthy review process, National Audubon
decided to keep its name. Several NAS board members resigned in protest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOd9QAtVFjOrAwMhE9rS7GlSQ7seQqxIEt51F7MDaU-3ghrGh8THQcyyCu5dpvv50a9rXF6DHmTh_xFqpCF5fkS59rFI9JfN9zr7xdNh9XNfpl3NEZZdgZ-yiAlkRy76MhfB-bEwk1OK0fwzyHXiyV6hBLfkZXy0ZY1hdl5G-yQtpxqJ8C1iP/s2265/Gray-crowned%20Rosy%20Finch%20by%20Fran%20Morel.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="2265" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOd9QAtVFjOrAwMhE9rS7GlSQ7seQqxIEt51F7MDaU-3ghrGh8THQcyyCu5dpvv50a9rXF6DHmTh_xFqpCF5fkS59rFI9JfN9zr7xdNh9XNfpl3NEZZdgZ-yiAlkRy76MhfB-bEwk1OK0fwzyHXiyV6hBLfkZXy0ZY1hdl5G-yQtpxqJ8C1iP/s320/Gray-crowned%20Rosy%20Finch%20by%20Fran%20Morel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">An observant Northwestern University student spotted <br />this Gray-crowned Rosy Finch on the Evanston campus.<br />Photo by Fran Morel.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Birds named after people (eponymous names) will be phased
out starting in 2024, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) recently
announced. A pilot renaming program will begin with about 10 birds and assign
more descriptive labels. Blackburnian Warbler, for example, might become
Flame-throated Warbler. Only common names, not scientific names, are set to
change.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The plan to purge all eponyms is not sitting well with many
birders and birding organizations, who prefer that name changes be considered
on a case-by-case basis. Opposition to the AOS declaration appears intense.
This is likely not a done deal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">More notable sightings<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Listing all the notable birds of 2023 is an impossible task,
and I’m sure a few escaped my radar. But some sightings simply can’t be
ignored.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A breeding plumage Ruff triggered many road trips to Boone Co.
last spring. Dan Williams found the showstopper and followed it to McHenry Co.
Roseate Spoonbills popped up in both Mason and Putnam Counties in August, followed
by t<span style="background: white; color: black;">wo reports in Chicagoland. A spoonie
even traveled to Green Bay!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chicagoland’s perennial hotspot, Montrose Point on Lake
Michigan, produced California Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Whimbrel,
Snowy Plover, Red Knot, King Rail, Snowy Owl, Evening Grosbeak, and Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher. A Piping Plover named Imani also checked in, the son of legendary
parents Monty and Rose. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREAXbGVZPc4iedanKfpzmq3h920sE-osw0KsiYXNMx2s0zqi1UpELq8bLQdfry-GfvS3LnHiGY8Agfr1kdFicd-BnjzyYgzlls1ci98bx3E4IJtvg5vzFVIsrHPvbLC5pJx8yvOs_x9SqW7N-zB7wUxjkZwtVUH2EVooiAluNxgsWJl4_TBdc/s1058/Red%20Crossbill%20by%20Randall%20Everts.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1058" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREAXbGVZPc4iedanKfpzmq3h920sE-osw0KsiYXNMx2s0zqi1UpELq8bLQdfry-GfvS3LnHiGY8Agfr1kdFicd-BnjzyYgzlls1ci98bx3E4IJtvg5vzFVIsrHPvbLC5pJx8yvOs_x9SqW7N-zB7wUxjkZwtVUH2EVooiAluNxgsWJl4_TBdc/s320/Red%20Crossbill%20by%20Randall%20Everts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Birdwatchers hope Red Crossbill sightings at Morton <br />Arboretum and other venues across the region <br />continue into 2024. Photo by Randall Everts.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">A migrating Chuck-will’s Widow was rescued in downtown Chicago
by a volunteer with Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. The nightjar went to
Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn for treatment.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lake County goodies included a Kirtland’s
Warbler at Chicago Botanic Garden, discovered by Anna Tendero, plus Harlequin
Duck, Glossy Ibis, Yellow Rail, Black Vulture and Loggerhead Shrike. The Latest
Limpkin Award went to the bird at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve in Lake Forest,
still present on Christmas Day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A floating colony of state-endangered
Common Terns at Naval Station Great Lakes (North Chicago) enjoyed a banner
year, fledging 32 chicks. Kudos to Brad Semel from </span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IDNR for his project leadership.</span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In DuPage, a Little Blue Heron at Danada
Forest Preserve excited birders for a solid week in August. </span><span style="background: white; color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Nesting Northern Mockingbirds were a
nice story at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, and from Thanksgiving on the Arb proved
reliable for Red Crossbill.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Neighboring Hidden Lake Forest
Preserve surrendered an Eastern Whip-poor-will on the DuPage Birding Club’s
Spring Bird Count, an event drawing a record-high 148 watchers across the
county on May 6.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fermilab discoveries included Marbled
Godwit, Lark Sparrow and Blue Grosbeak. A lone Trumpeter Swan spent most of the
year on site.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHL1sPnzTFIrULXMsgnpFmqbijG8QAMPTaZRRa4_W6KAvVNsY8evxNZBwDkhBY_YAbWY2dXSLM56MaqsiJUdeK2Sn6MMqKKCw0MCPnA4FYalOTFAdSWUchXylidhxl79F7SdQtUziUi0kweqgKc6qy8FOFfT96HmEqZsRzGAbBqek7_3R_Ws2/s778/Crested%20Caracara%20by%20Keith%20McMullen.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="778" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHL1sPnzTFIrULXMsgnpFmqbijG8QAMPTaZRRa4_W6KAvVNsY8evxNZBwDkhBY_YAbWY2dXSLM56MaqsiJUdeK2Sn6MMqKKCw0MCPnA4FYalOTFAdSWUchXylidhxl79F7SdQtUziUi0kweqgKc6qy8FOFfT96HmEqZsRzGAbBqek7_3R_Ws2/w200-h172/Crested%20Caracara%20by%20Keith%20McMullen.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Illinois’s first Crested Caracara cruised <br />Fulton County in early 2023. <br />Photo by Keith McMullen.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Paul Clifford knows it pays to keep
an eye on the sky and to never underestimate a parking lot’s birding potential.
He spotted a Golden Eagle at Waterfall Glen in March, and then a Mississippi
Kite at Maple Grove in May. At both forest preserves, Paul was standing in the car
park. <o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Of course, watching your backyard
feeders can be rewarding, too. Palatine resident Tom Syme reported a stunning
all-yellow cardinal on May 30—a one-day wonder, unfortunately.</span><span style="background: white; color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Frequent sightings of Trumpeter Swan,
Red-shouldered Hawk and Pileated Woodpecker in 2023 indicate these species are
gaining traction in the Chicago region. Bald Eagle as well.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, every year it seems that a new “hotspot” is
discovered. Word gets out, more birders start going there, and like magic the
site list grows. I’d never heard of Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve in Kane
County when 2023 began but the place quickly earned a reputation as a magnet
for uncommon birds. Feathered guests included Eared Grebe, Red-necked
Phalarope, Whooping Crane, Black-necked Stilt, Black Tern, Say’s Phoebe and Smith’s
Longspur. Surely a Limpkin was lurking in the marsh as well.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Milestones<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Congrats to Winfield’s Diann Bilderback, who earned the DuPage
Birding Club’s highest honor, the Distinguished Achievement Award. She is the
club’s only two-time president and a tireless can-do volunteer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbiyy3mVYh9tTeFdGjPKGoQjxyW_crAh416oUqWu_2ZSk1TiB7mtNp3li9GwAxhw5GaTYWgvKWBM4dgOwjIeV_lytRyHk9GZJSsW56GGBvphk7_DLNyMeUQfIoWjTgI034oMUV5eRbZrXlOgccN5vTJgIqYIsZr1NDfKtBNnOEEsjoD7-6V8X/s1191/Broad-tailed%20Hummingbird%20by%20Steve%20Zehner.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1191" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbiyy3mVYh9tTeFdGjPKGoQjxyW_crAh416oUqWu_2ZSk1TiB7mtNp3li9GwAxhw5GaTYWgvKWBM4dgOwjIeV_lytRyHk9GZJSsW56GGBvphk7_DLNyMeUQfIoWjTgI034oMUV5eRbZrXlOgccN5vTJgIqYIsZr1NDfKtBNnOEEsjoD7-6V8X/s320/Broad-tailed%20Hummingbird%20by%20Steve%20Zehner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Uphoff family in Champaign hosted this Broad-tailed<br /> Hummingbird and all who came to see it. Photo by Steve Zehner.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">The International Crane Foundation (Baraboo, Wis.)
celebrated 50 years in 2023, with co-founder George Archibald still going
strong. Chicago’s Fort Dearborn Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society also hit
50.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Indiana Audubon turned 125 and will conduct the Indiana
Dunes Birding Festival May 16-19. If you’ve never been, do check it out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>BirdWatching</i> magazine quietly folded in 2023 but nice
to see its former editor, Matt Mendenhall, hook up with American Bird
Conservancy, an organization doing important work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Chicago birding community remembered John Purcell with a
memorial tree planting at North Pond (Lincoln Park) in April. John was a friend
and birding mentor to many, especially Montrose Point regulars.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7HvondFHL1Z-l0VtFqplSSOEPWd7aQ_c-3Hh4p7MNw8vMwephbf4XCtO2rr3mQIcW4jEs9n5NpYaT8X9c1Z1MHbtPiRStxVrCssvTvyOtIh_2mXmhgqmUKrxR5h2LzxFG4mukafdQHqQ8PPmj4DTnlBlckPbPSwvynxsdEyV2KKplCsqLVEn/s2768/Luna%20Moth%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="1775" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7HvondFHL1Z-l0VtFqplSSOEPWd7aQ_c-3Hh4p7MNw8vMwephbf4XCtO2rr3mQIcW4jEs9n5NpYaT8X9c1Z1MHbtPiRStxVrCssvTvyOtIh_2mXmhgqmUKrxR5h2LzxFG4mukafdQHqQ8PPmj4DTnlBlckPbPSwvynxsdEyV2KKplCsqLVEn/s320/Luna%20Moth%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The author was over the moon<br /> about his first Luna Moth sighting.<br /> Photo by Jeff Reiter.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">The Endangered Species Act, born 50 years ago, is credited
with helping save 99% of listed species. Still clinging to that list is the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker. In October, U.S. Fish and Wildlife announced the
species will not be declared extinct—at least for now. Hope is still alive!<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Personal notes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">From my last column you might think that all I read are
picture books. Not true! Two of my favorite books of 2023 were “A Wing and a
Prayer: The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds,” by Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal,
and “What an Owl Knows,” by Jennifer Ackerman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My home list grew by one thanks to a singing Warbling Vireo
in May. Hard to believe it took 26 years to finally notch such a common species,
No. 123 for the yard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A winter visit to Arizona and five days with Colorado
Birding Adventures in June yielded 14 lifers. In both places, the birds, fellow
birders and guides surpassed my expectations. Favorite sighting? Had to be the
White-tailed Ptarmigan in Rocky Mountain National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birds are the best, but butterflies and moths are cool, too.
Seeing a Luna Moth was literally on my bucket list, and I got to check it off
in June, at Cantigny in Wheaton. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wherever nature watching takes you in 2024, be ready for
anything and appreciate all that you see, the common and the rare. Happy trails!
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2024 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-5646189212853149512023-11-29T07:15:00.000-06:002023-11-29T07:15:02.998-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">More than cute: Picture books that leave a mark</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 11-29-23)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Goodreads.com is tracking me. The Amazon creation knows what
book I’m reading and every book I’ve read in the last four years. It even knows
what I will probably read next. </span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TK9x81Pv9xS1vLiVGgNnZI3PwDfP91W_KCt50e1sGKGigW-GuldhQ5AX-AmeaNY07UromoTcPXh66r1HSGeiIqx7NoK9bkESZjxXTjxsaM6zQqtT8aSHTMZTQn-pkA-ekZ3hyphenhyphennsZeEwdpYqZo6l9WsqDeauk1zYlpq-oKIm-PhKNi5fbRm_B/s2000/Feathered%20Friends.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="2000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TK9x81Pv9xS1vLiVGgNnZI3PwDfP91W_KCt50e1sGKGigW-GuldhQ5AX-AmeaNY07UromoTcPXh66r1HSGeiIqx7NoK9bkESZjxXTjxsaM6zQqtT8aSHTMZTQn-pkA-ekZ3hyphenhyphennsZeEwdpYqZo6l9WsqDeauk1zYlpq-oKIm-PhKNi5fbRm_B/s320/Feathered%20Friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“Feathered Friends,” by emerging author and artist<br /> Madelyn Lee, contains fun facts about birds<br /> in backyards and around the world.<br /> </span><span style="text-align: left;">(courtesy Early Light Press LLC)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Goodreads also reports how I’m faring in the 2023 Reading
Challenge—if I’m ahead or behind. I’m almost never ahead. My goal this year is
50 books and it’s going to be close. What if I’m a book short on New Year’s
Eve?</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In August, an answer to that question arrived in a carefully
wrapped package from Virginia. Inside was “Feathered Friends,” a children’s picture
book from first-time author and illustrator Madelyn A. Lee, age 18. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I don’t receive review books very often, and this one was
unlike the others—an oversized field guide for toddlers. The book’s 32 pages
feature 17 birds, and how prescient that one of them is American flamingo, a
species that crashed Virginia (and 10 other states) a month after the book’s publication.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Copies of Madelyn’s book flew off the table at a Barnes
& Noble book signing in Williamsburg, just before she went off to begin
studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">No, I did not add “Feathered Friends” to my Goodreads list. But
I’m keeping that option in my hip pocket. A book is a book, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, and potentially much more. The surprise arrival of “Feathered
Friends” started me thinking about books for kids and their power to influence
how we feel about birds and nature. Young minds remember stuff; early exposure
to birds and conservation themes can only be good. Worked for me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa4AkZpHQ6yJrkr0XWyT89cM0qF9G1c5iLJm1CZwdMpRKk01Uvrwwb-zXGCEGqiwUHm3HPS15_MNe0sMB_UoouPXXHyLGxGKnMwMm4nNRddDY9vptjOLtreyYGs4aUM_c5QmMFeV_M_QA1iQByOKqcFpjkbD_e0rrEBiSzump_FzCrbmagCFh/s900/Monty%20and%20Rose.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="900" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa4AkZpHQ6yJrkr0XWyT89cM0qF9G1c5iLJm1CZwdMpRKk01Uvrwwb-zXGCEGqiwUHm3HPS15_MNe0sMB_UoouPXXHyLGxGKnMwMm4nNRddDY9vptjOLtreyYGs4aUM_c5QmMFeV_M_QA1iQByOKqcFpjkbD_e0rrEBiSzump_FzCrbmagCFh/s320/Monty%20and%20Rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The inspiring Monty and Rose books, this one <br />and its sequel, are about birds and birders<br /> beating the odds on a busy Chicago beach.<br />(courtesy plovermother.com)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">My admiration for birdy picture books is soaring. I’ll
mention a few of my favorites here because their authors and illustrators
deserve the love, and because you might have little ones on your holiday
shopping list. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You probably know about Monty and Rose, the piping plover
pair that captivated Chicagoans by raising a family on Montrose Beach in 2019.
The endangered species hadn’t nested here in more than 70 years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Monty and Rose chose a tough neighborhood to call home. It
took a small army of dedicated volunteers to protect them during their time on
the busy strand. The general of that army was Tamima Itani, an Evanston
resident who serves as lead volunteer coordinator for Chicago Piping Plovers, a
collaboration between Chicago Bird Alliance, Chicago Ornithological Society and
Illinois Ornithological Society. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tamima is the go-to source for information about Monty and
Rose and their extended family. Nobody knows them better and turns out she has
a gift for putting good stories into words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tamima’s two children’s books, “Monty and Rose Nest at
Montrose” and “Monty and Rose Return to Montrose,” will leave an impression, I
promise. They are adorable but also informative and real. The illustrations by
Anna-Maria Crum are terrific. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNcjKcv5nhGGhqJFeC5GzM6uow7i3ZNJ1i0sitcNA9z0OL3-VIkfDKn32TBTA4Nkgn031VNulhH0Uo4RVbxi_xemyynUzIKJ_XYzsnbLoM5e6yLifkvfcJEUbk-po1m3XWmgvR037qURwN9G5mPvMZdPqiRhkjyvoLWdyrJIN2lTyWSxla_bC/s3307/The%20Christmas%20Owl.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3307" data-original-width="2551" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNcjKcv5nhGGhqJFeC5GzM6uow7i3ZNJ1i0sitcNA9z0OL3-VIkfDKn32TBTA4Nkgn031VNulhH0Uo4RVbxi_xemyynUzIKJ_XYzsnbLoM5e6yLifkvfcJEUbk-po1m3XWmgvR037qURwN9G5mPvMZdPqiRhkjyvoLWdyrJIN2lTyWSxla_bC/s320/The%20Christmas%20Owl.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“The Christmas Owl,” successful on<br /> so many levels, shines a light on the <br />important role of wildlife rescue centers. <br />(courtesy Little, Brown and Company)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Net proceeds from Tamima’s book sales go to piping plover research
and conservation. She’s raised $12,000 so far. For more information go to plovermother.com.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the cuteness scale, a piping plover is hard to beat, especially
a downy chick on toothpick legs. Northern saw-whet owl is another heart melter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you remember Rockefeller? She’s the saw-whet who was
discovered trapped in New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2020. Like
Monty and Rose, “Rocky” became national news—a feel-good story when our Covid-stricken
nation really needed one.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wasn’t aware of “The Christmas Owl” until my wife purchased
a copy in September. It’s a special book, and a New York Times bestseller at
that. I like it because it highlights the important role of wildlife
rehabilitators, in this case Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties, N.Y.,
which came to Rocky’s rescue. The center helped her recover and then released
her back into the wild. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the book’s coauthors, Ellen Kalish, founded
Ravensbeard in 2000. You can watch her set Rocky free in a short video posted
on the center’s website. Have a tissue ready. The site offers a line of Rocky
merch, too. The famous little owl with the saucer eyes is a fundraising dynamo!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekYdFHGW9KjVUgFJfWdxGjwIw5mAxC33UqDpteV3rSs58bMGVrOR7lIbczV5NfEj8lgZvdgpiLXzLMQP2E5NcRjiUZNcnHgamMouYrIjnktAaUA7rGlZTR4INBkKLZDLvQ8NxTc0qIgtTrvwO8wmHfiKiIM-QxgjzDjlAA_PKv-Xj9Khfm5wB/s3294/OWL%20MOON.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3294" data-original-width="2525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekYdFHGW9KjVUgFJfWdxGjwIw5mAxC33UqDpteV3rSs58bMGVrOR7lIbczV5NfEj8lgZvdgpiLXzLMQP2E5NcRjiUZNcnHgamMouYrIjnktAaUA7rGlZTR4INBkKLZDLvQ8NxTc0qIgtTrvwO8wmHfiKiIM-QxgjzDjlAA_PKv-Xj9Khfm5wB/s320/OWL%20MOON.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“Owl Moon” won the 1988 Caldecott <br />Medal for its illustrations and remains<br /> in print, available in nine languages.<br /> (courtesy Penguin Random House LLC)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">I must say, until now, the only children’s book to
consistently enter my thoughts was “Owl Moon,” the 1987 classic by Jane Yolen. You
must know it: the tale of father and young daughter who go owling on a snowy,
winter night. The words, the story, and illustrations (by John Schoenherr) are picture
book perfection. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yolen has more than 400 children’s books to her credit. She
considers “Owl Moon” her best. If you are not familiar, do check it out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next month is the Christmas Bird Count, an all-day event
that begins with pre-dawn owling. I always think of “Owl Moon” when I’m out
there in the cold and dark, not knowing if the effort will be rewarded. As Yolen
writes, “When you go owling you don’t need words or warm or anything but hope.”
</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2023 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-42615695298287889552023-09-23T10:23:00.000-05:002023-09-23T10:23:35.751-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Summer notebook</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Limpkins, spoonbills, flamingos, and a really big
chicken</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 9-21-23)</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JjZC_1uaMvwe_sJHol0U9WSQxYEAVCQcDQbvG7qwwT8dn2eOLfHtfMiwJ6lSnlOC66MaVD0yfV8sPRY-WiGI7C6Jf1Tqqv9xn4nb0i3c-rA1JnNQgXbT74BrxNH6WoPQ5QchjpRdxwAuVfuzU3QlXGFOGIhuqnAbyGzS3PPkWbCEnfSx8KaM/s4395/Limpkin%20by%20Nat%20Carmichael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3296" data-original-width="4395" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JjZC_1uaMvwe_sJHol0U9WSQxYEAVCQcDQbvG7qwwT8dn2eOLfHtfMiwJ6lSnlOC66MaVD0yfV8sPRY-WiGI7C6Jf1Tqqv9xn4nb0i3c-rA1JnNQgXbT74BrxNH6WoPQ5QchjpRdxwAuVfuzU3QlXGFOGIhuqnAbyGzS3PPkWbCEnfSx8KaM/w400-h300/Limpkin%20by%20Nat%20Carmichael.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limpkin by Nat Carmichael<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>You never forget your first limpkin. Mine was at a lakeside trailer
park near St. Petersburg, Fla. A book said limpkins would be there and sure
enough they were. That was 1998, when finding the ibis-like wader in the United
States, outside of Florida or southern Georgia, was unheard of. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">How times change. A limpkin spent most of August and early
September dining on fresh-water mussels at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe,
Cook County’s first record of the species. Another was spotted near Rockford. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">These reports continued a trend that began several years ago.
The first Illinois record of limpkin occurred in 2019, near downstate Olney. Second
and third sightings followed in 2021, one of them in Lake County.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Limpkins visited a few downstate counties this summer, too,
and multiple states. Colorado received its first, as did Pennsylvania. Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also hosted limpkins. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another large wading bird we associate with Florida, roseate
spoonbill, mounted its own Midwest invasion. Sightings at Dixon Waterfowl
Refuge (Putnam Co.) and Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge (Mason Co.) in
early August were followed by two reports in Chicagoland, one in Northbrook and
another in North Chicago. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNAVA-EbOs5zqeDfNQbt94zecd2rbbV2MSR2c4apD2_JRbUGhJ1kw4aWYE_kgfzHDOO7TARk_PkFlOMkuA1h5zmBjO_vTkxYbQI3Az1bDKHyu6Go8D9mgTyi74sn9a0Te7JJsFWYIA6mUOm0egdlQeYEV6miaDU3BdU0pH2eQcTUVKoMXQduM/s2200/ROSEATE%20SPOONBILL%20by%20Jackie%20Bowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNAVA-EbOs5zqeDfNQbt94zecd2rbbV2MSR2c4apD2_JRbUGhJ1kw4aWYE_kgfzHDOO7TARk_PkFlOMkuA1h5zmBjO_vTkxYbQI3Az1bDKHyu6Go8D9mgTyi74sn9a0Te7JJsFWYIA6mUOm0egdlQeYEV6miaDU3BdU0pH2eQcTUVKoMXQduM/s320/ROSEATE%20SPOONBILL%20by%20Jackie%20Bowman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roseate Spoonbill by Jackie Bowman</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Birders in Green Bay were shocked by a summering “spoonie”
as well, Wisconsin’s second state record of the species. Michigan birders tallied
a second state record, in Jackson.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s going on? We can’t blame Hurricane Idalia, which did
blow some American flamingos northward in late August. Birders scored flamingo
lifers in 10 states, including Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Remarkable!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But limpkins and spoonbills arrived well before the storm. Did
climate change bring them here? We can’t rule it out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The ranges for many species that we think of as “southern
birds” are gradually expanding, shifting, or both. Little blue heron, snowy
egret, and red-shouldered hawk are some examples. We are seeing these birds in
Illinois more regularly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s always exciting to spot a rarity. But if the reason we
are seeing a bird is climate change, well, that’s disturbing. National Audubon
Society’s “Survival by Degrees” report claims that by 2080, two-thirds of North
American bird species may face unlivable conditions across their current
ranges. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Arboretum mockers<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Northern mockingbird, despite its name, is all over the
South but uncommon in northeast Illinois. I’m still waiting to see one in my
yard or at Cantigny Park, the places I bird the most. I’m confident that day
will come, as mockingbird is another species on the move. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7j_3qjQgU1JWofJi0RirfFbjEL3eaOo0PLJVd8SrtQYWCuUMQqmMfI2RQWgni0OctTbvKMTWOFCsafuMARuQNaEPLPRU9SRUN6Km9mppzk3nlj9wQ1axUVnf_NZRUcePaAxnZfRQODTpqj_mlmoUo57KJy8TJj2lfbuDaTcgKyJelBBXFNxm/s3771/Mockingbird%20by%20Paul%20Clifford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="3771" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7j_3qjQgU1JWofJi0RirfFbjEL3eaOo0PLJVd8SrtQYWCuUMQqmMfI2RQWgni0OctTbvKMTWOFCsafuMARuQNaEPLPRU9SRUN6Km9mppzk3nlj9wQ1axUVnf_NZRUcePaAxnZfRQODTpqj_mlmoUo57KJy8TJj2lfbuDaTcgKyJelBBXFNxm/s320/Mockingbird%20by%20Paul%20Clifford.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Mockingbird by Paul Clifford</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">In June, birders were delighted to discover a pair of mockingbirds
at Morton Arboretum in Lisle. The birds nested on the property’s east side and hatched
four young. It is believed to be the first record of breeding mockingbirds at
the Arb, and maybe even DuPage County.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In recent decades, mockingbirds have successfully expanded
their range into the northeast U.S. Their presence in the Midwest is well
established and growing. They prefer dense, fruit-bearing shrubs and adapt well
to urban settings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Road tripping<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In early August I piloted a rental van to Seattle with my
son, Jay, who is starting graduate school at the University of Washington. You
can see a lot when crossing 2,000 miles of diverse habitat, and we did. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgGsOJh_q-reBXhs7cmIup79e1lZv7G0BPRO3he4dSexydvrwUSDUa4fRoTwCGSh8qLxNXaOtUxFW4xCdlZDZ1lZxhipiLwEoy-CF5N7179UWgI12OwEyWLhrDghUvkcvbp-nWUN4pzPR5_DoNSMVR3_qsN03W51zykW3oDP-lL0Go1UvKgKF/s3264/Greater%20Prairie%20Chicken%20statue%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgGsOJh_q-reBXhs7cmIup79e1lZv7G0BPRO3he4dSexydvrwUSDUa4fRoTwCGSh8qLxNXaOtUxFW4xCdlZDZ1lZxhipiLwEoy-CF5N7179UWgI12OwEyWLhrDghUvkcvbp-nWUN4pzPR5_DoNSMVR3_qsN03W51zykW3oDP-lL0Go1UvKgKF/s320/Greater%20Prairie%20Chicken%20statue%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Prairie Chicken statue in Rothsay, Minn.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">A most unexpected sight occurred just off I-94 in Rothsay,
Minn.—an 18-foot, 9,000-pound greater prairie chicken! Quite by accident, stopping
for gas, we’d entered the Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota. Dedicated in
1975, the chicken statue is still in fine shape.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another fabricated colossus awaited us in Jamestown, N.D.
This time our stop was planned—no way we could pass up “The World’s Largest
Buffalo.” At 46 feet long and 60 tons, the steel-and-concrete beast, called
Dakota Thunder, offered a memorable welcome for two first-time visitors to North
Dakota.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuib9kMxOd6CCAIy9hhey7gs8VZ6GIXmUiBfWEhKZBUbGqtpxCfPmBaAzkrQ-hV_Dq9Ue__BjbzBvcRsmY8pBq6oXiPSjzou-8u4c56U0gXa7rmDbNOknovQ-K1mrIsWq3gK8G8zqStsC-hKR1lOtDG7jY1KaIV8tdSyOLKvdecAwmMrKYAyQ/s1632/20230801_183121003_1690936242852_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuib9kMxOd6CCAIy9hhey7gs8VZ6GIXmUiBfWEhKZBUbGqtpxCfPmBaAzkrQ-hV_Dq9Ue__BjbzBvcRsmY8pBq6oXiPSjzou-8u4c56U0gXa7rmDbNOknovQ-K1mrIsWq3gK8G8zqStsC-hKR1lOtDG7jY1KaIV8tdSyOLKvdecAwmMrKYAyQ/s320/20230801_183121003_1690936242852_001.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing ball in Bismarck, N.D.</td></tr></tbody></table>Needing a baseball fix, we attended the Northwoods League
All-Star Game in Bismarck, contested on the home field of the Bismarck Larks. The
team mascot is a western meadowlark, the state bird. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I viewed several meadowlarks perching on fenceposts as we cruised
west in the loaded-down Pacifica. Far easier to spot were the massive fields of
blooming sunflowers. North Dakota leads the nation in sunflower growing and we
were passing through at the perfect time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the far western end of the state, nearly in Montana, we
spent a few hours amid the stunning landscapes of Theodore Roosevelt National
Park. The park was a bucket lister for me, but our timing could have been
better. We arrived at mid-day with the sun blazing—too late for prime wildlife
viewing. Birds were scarce, and even the park’s signature bison herds eluded
us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Backyard reset<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the weeks before the road trip, my backyard was overrun
with house sparrows—adult birds and their fast-growing offspring. The pesky
non-natives were draining my feeder daily, consuming prodigious quantities of
the black-oil sunflower crop that I would soon witness in North Dakota. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Enough already. Before heading out, I took in my feeders and
birdbath, gave them a good washing, and left them in the garage to dry. The
sparrows would survive, even though I hoped otherwise. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I got back and rehung the feeders, I was curious how
long it would take for the sparrows to return. The answer was about four days. Hummingbirds,
however, came back to the nectar feeder almost at once, like they were waiting
for it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m experimenting now with refill frequency, letting the
sunflower feeder sit empty at times. It seems to help—house sparrow visitation is
down. I like to think I’m winning the game, frustrating the greedy little
buggers and driving them off to less Grinch-like neighbors. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s an illusion, of course. Like squirrels, house sparrows
can never really be defeated, and some day they will rule the world. Their annoying
presence is the price we pay for attracting the birds we cherish, like
cardinals, chickadees and nuthatches. It’s a tradeoff we must live with.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2023 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-20378813416884857712023-07-26T11:14:00.000-05:002023-07-26T11:14:51.394-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Colorado calling</b></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Summer birding tour of the Centennial State delivered unforgettable sightings<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 7-26-23)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWwvLW5eVa4lt_TwVOngQkqsvA97PiVL4ZRX0aRFhry9AZSAJW2veVVSIvJMVCr-ic1oAIRPNyMeLyo_BW8YP5oC2O2OTjSQl1fvCucqLr8TAi3ty5fS3OSkvBgv70lb1pKVD-ZLGMPzRancx_EcRTs4_vvWcS0KAdvgPwgELY70eBS6VS_Tl/s3961/Chestnut-collared%20Longspur%20by%20Tony%20Dvorak,%20Cornell%20Lab%20_%20Macaulay%20Library%20.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2640" data-original-width="3961" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWwvLW5eVa4lt_TwVOngQkqsvA97PiVL4ZRX0aRFhry9AZSAJW2veVVSIvJMVCr-ic1oAIRPNyMeLyo_BW8YP5oC2O2OTjSQl1fvCucqLr8TAi3ty5fS3OSkvBgv70lb1pKVD-ZLGMPzRancx_EcRTs4_vvWcS0KAdvgPwgELY70eBS6VS_Tl/w400-h266/Chestnut-collared%20Longspur%20by%20Tony%20Dvorak,%20Cornell%20Lab%20_%20Macaulay%20Library%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-collared Longspur by Tony Dvorak, <br />Macaulay Library/Cornell Lab of Ornithology<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Now and then a trip turns out way better than expected. In
June, I took one that did.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I signed up with Colorado Birding Adventures in January. Waiting
any longer was risky. Company owner and chief guide Carl Bendorf runs his “Best
of Colorado Summer Birding” tour twice a year, always in June, and it sells
out. Ten birders per trip, no more.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A month before departure, juicing my anticipation, I changed
the screensaver on my phone to a Lewis’s woodpecker, and my laptop wallpaper to
a chestnut-collared longspur. Soon, with luck, I’d be seeing these and other
birds in Colorado’s grasslands, foothills, mountains, and even some urban
environments. Carl’s well-scouted itinerary would take us where the birds are,
with emphasis on hard-to-find specialties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We traveled in two 6-seater vehicles and spent every night
at the Fairfield Inn in Longmont, 40 miles north of Denver and 20 miles from
Rocky Mountain National Park. When birding all day, it’s nice to stay in the
same place. Carl and assistant guide Bill Schmoker live in Longmont, so the
logistics worked in their favor, too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our first full day of birding took us to Pawnee National
Grassland. Target birds here were mountain plover (a declining species with a
misleading name), chestnut-collared longspur, thick-billed longspur, and burrowing
owl. All were “hiding in plain view” on the wide-open shortgrass prairie, but
with Carl’s expertise we found them. Horned lark, lark bunting (Colorado’s
state bird) and western meadowlark were everywhere, not hiding at all, and the
occasional pronghorn antelope dotted the treeless landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVi69nT-pfEFn1Mx0tx_ZDDTT53HWeCFL6r0-K99k7Icgttk_l0WJXXYi02k1geKBP9BGbWZMMiIW7NEjG60yB9bvcoGnMNV5CSo7wYyFWRXI3pmimKqLU4iYDoKVADiWWN0djAjQc0bp2Wux_i6vskkRqxa2SIBcYECThn8EBPYlvDfW3nqs/s3264/Ptarmigan%20searchers%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVi69nT-pfEFn1Mx0tx_ZDDTT53HWeCFL6r0-K99k7Icgttk_l0WJXXYi02k1geKBP9BGbWZMMiIW7NEjG60yB9bvcoGnMNV5CSo7wYyFWRXI3pmimKqLU4iYDoKVADiWWN0djAjQc0bp2Wux_i6vskkRqxa2SIBcYECThn8EBPYlvDfW3nqs/s320/Ptarmigan%20searchers%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ptarmigan country: Rocky Mountain National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Mountain plover was an exceptional find. The species had
eluded Carl’s previous tour, two weeks before ours. As with many grassland birds,
plover numbers are declining sharply. The same is true for chestnut-collared
longspur and some other birds we’d see in the days ahead, such as pinyon jay
and brown-capped rosy finch. Even on a joyful birding romp like ours, the dark
cloud of falling bird populations is always there.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We entered Rocky Mountain National Park the next morning
full of anticipation. Our goal: white-tailed ptarmigan, a ground-hugging resident
of alpine tundra. The park’s Trail Ridge Road led us to Medicine Bow Curve, elevation
11,600 feet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp9hy3Bf6qGSpebFcH_A6nf1WsofOev7xEJ3AG6jlVnk4tf1o8_EoVMe6ri_wE69gyp6b6mw3u3VOCBI6pYYAm2a5w0ODaUtEQ85OdhgrBndhkqjOtHeoxHGMXNks46Y4y52Q6VfLcg5n4C5yIC4hqdvg_EIS5bqxlELLtuWRDgo9MoQvrTUE/s2785/White-tailed%20Ptarmigan%20by%20Carl%20Bendorf.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="2785" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp9hy3Bf6qGSpebFcH_A6nf1WsofOev7xEJ3AG6jlVnk4tf1o8_EoVMe6ri_wE69gyp6b6mw3u3VOCBI6pYYAm2a5w0ODaUtEQ85OdhgrBndhkqjOtHeoxHGMXNks46Y4y52Q6VfLcg5n4C5yIC4hqdvg_EIS5bqxlELLtuWRDgo9MoQvrTUE/w200-h150/White-tailed%20Ptarmigan%20by%20Carl%20Bendorf.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Ptarmigan by Carl Bendorf</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">From the trailhead, Carl led our bundled up, well-layered party
onto the barren, rock-strewn expanse. A ptarmigan is virtually impossible to
see unless it moves, and this small chicken-like species is not big on
exercise. It blends perfectly with its surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a tense 30-minute search, two ptarmigans surrendered
their cover, charming us all with close-up looks. The birds initially flew a
short distance, aiding our search immensely. We slapped high fives while Carl and
Bill breathed sighs of relief. When people depend on you for once-in-a-lifetime
birds, guides naturally feel some pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The roll continued 20 minutes later outside the Alpine Visitor
Center just up the road. While most of us were using the restrooms or buying
souvenirs, Carl and Bill spotted six brown-capped rosy-finches on a patch of snow,
about 40 feet below the observation deck.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkAyEVyJ5IiUSp_BNaqjxpY3FhP7JtqwZH1xVgSYLfGUVuR_T7f8Jelp7X928FJzrR-D4pn_n41fkgDdG_hgysKG2er5jgCzp6wRjFUoUqurFvkFZUB2wVywUC1McGTAwilutFavM7oyWC-utELv6PNlMpsg2Oq21nmZGHQKu4VoC9ruCxdKu/s2048/Brown-capped%20Rosy%20Finch%20by%20Carl%20J%20Bendorf.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkAyEVyJ5IiUSp_BNaqjxpY3FhP7JtqwZH1xVgSYLfGUVuR_T7f8Jelp7X928FJzrR-D4pn_n41fkgDdG_hgysKG2er5jgCzp6wRjFUoUqurFvkFZUB2wVywUC1McGTAwilutFavM7oyWC-utELv6PNlMpsg2Oq21nmZGHQKu4VoC9ruCxdKu/s320/Brown-capped%20Rosy%20Finch%20by%20Carl%20J%20Bendorf.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown-capped Rosy-Finch by Carl Bendorf</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Seizing the moment, the guides leaped into round-up mode, summoning
the birders. We were scattered all over the place, mingling with an overflow
crowd of summer tourists. Bill literally called out inside the packed gift
shop. To paraphrase, “Birders, drop the merch! Come outside NOW!”</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The real gifts could fly away at any moment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The drill was effective, the group reassembled, and there
they were, the rosy-finches, like they’d fluttered down from a heavenly aviary
just for us. What a bonus: close views of another cryptic resident of the
summer tundra, a species we didn’t really expect to see. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">With ptarmigan and rosy-finch in the bag by 10 a.m., we were
tempted to exit the park immediately and purchase lottery tickets at the
nearest Loaf ‘N Jug.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwdme7Pyq6Xo3LRYrNKBlWXhWK-doJFtvtDTzA6KC9fm4jnzDTbY7p4AHpRFMk8Mjauqp_iFbWOOKZacVXiHzT3SqeELVSA8wGcNdpHTUYciCIusXiDrZWppf-KCYzcZrFnaqdyyjwt_qnsIcvZBZnV3BjyTdckQ3lKmp7yFnvBhov5GhM_0n/s2663/Moose%20by%20Carl%20Bendorf.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="2663" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwdme7Pyq6Xo3LRYrNKBlWXhWK-doJFtvtDTzA6KC9fm4jnzDTbY7p4AHpRFMk8Mjauqp_iFbWOOKZacVXiHzT3SqeELVSA8wGcNdpHTUYciCIusXiDrZWppf-KCYzcZrFnaqdyyjwt_qnsIcvZBZnV3BjyTdckQ3lKmp7yFnvBhov5GhM_0n/s320/Moose%20by%20Carl%20Bendorf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose by Carl Bendorf</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Thankfully we stayed because our lucky streak wasn’t over. More
interesting birds were ahead but so were some remarkable mammal sightings—a
giant American elk walking down the road, dropping the jaws of spectating
tourists; a bull moose dining in a pond, submerged up to his neck; and a stealthy
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep high on a hill. By far the rarest sighting was a cinnamon
bear, a color-morph of American black bear. Some of us caught a brief glimpse
of it just outside the park entrance.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We would return to RMNP on our last day, but first came the
Southern Swing, a 400-mile loop beyond Colorado Springs and back home along a
raging Arkansas River, and through towns like Canon City, Salida and Buena
Vista. It was a long but rewarding day, filled with memorable birds.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In a brushy field of cholla near Pueblo we watched the
courtship behavior of the Cassin’s sparrow, a lifer for most of us, and a bird not
even on my radar when the trip began. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our van and SUV creeped around a neighborhood in Salida
before finally locating some noisy pinyon jays. Carl knew their address. Mountain
and western bluebirds lived on the block, too. A few human residents gave us
curious looks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2tC_WVNCc67pJR57kw4ub1VyL73ObrGpxkexjErmdc9ccvxoPUW0Y4MBHdYy7ni1pVt-E8WG2ikrajgiJJUrXUuTqD2frYFcGCJdTx2mS3IaLywHqoRIigfRbRzBctCRn35_uZCPfPtT-8JCXCJ1eHSFs2SFNX_5CYKQhN6nbHAQsCHfZKz0/s1418/Lewis's%20Woodpecker%20by%20Carl%20Bendorf.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1418" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2tC_WVNCc67pJR57kw4ub1VyL73ObrGpxkexjErmdc9ccvxoPUW0Y4MBHdYy7ni1pVt-E8WG2ikrajgiJJUrXUuTqD2frYFcGCJdTx2mS3IaLywHqoRIigfRbRzBctCRn35_uZCPfPtT-8JCXCJ1eHSFs2SFNX_5CYKQhN6nbHAQsCHfZKz0/s320/Lewis's%20Woodpecker%20by%20Carl%20Bendorf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lewis's Woodpecker by Carl Bendorf</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Lewis’s woodpecker, my phone bird, came next. Again, we were
surrounded by houses, this time in Buena Vista. Carl had staked out a nest hole
where an adult bird was coming and going, delivering food and taking out the white
trash (fecal sacs).</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The woodpecker is named after Meriweather Lewis, who collected
the type specimen during the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-06). I’d wanted
to see one quite badly ever since missing my chance in 2019, when for several
days a vagrant Lewis’s visited a nature center feeder in downstate Effingham
County—the first Illinois record of the species.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lifers are great, but the Colorado tour produced many birds
that I’d only encountered once or twice before. These were special, too: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>band-tailed pigeon; broad-tailed hummingbird; golden
eagle (two youngsters on a massive cliffside nest); Williamson’s sapsucker; Cordilleran
flycatcher; Clark’s nutcracker (yes, <i>that </i>Clark); pygmy nuthatch; American
dipper; pine grosbeak; green-tailed towhee; MacGillivray’s warbler; Lazuli
bunting; and western tanager. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP6xHgCBLYCXErHyqVVMv5hT4rgld_1GQpoVhPnp4vlzCK2J5Dp-hcHHFlkz_lqgl1HSQj65cBt45FRbmAOshcUYa3oAX2hFzcB8ONlJ6B1c9TNcKeRc9uLKIBEtACYicAQT8nwTsy-TaAHcLpBMTZtR1nfWiC92PV4I1ONicY-8yzEDvGd33/s3264/Author%20with%20birding%20guides%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP6xHgCBLYCXErHyqVVMv5hT4rgld_1GQpoVhPnp4vlzCK2J5Dp-hcHHFlkz_lqgl1HSQj65cBt45FRbmAOshcUYa3oAX2hFzcB8ONlJ6B1c9TNcKeRc9uLKIBEtACYicAQT8nwTsy-TaAHcLpBMTZtR1nfWiC92PV4I1ONicY-8yzEDvGd33/s320/Author%20with%20birding%20guides%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Bill Schmoker, Jeff Reiter and Carl Bendorf</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We tallied 129 species over the five days. A few hoped-for
birds eluded us, like scaled quail, ferruginous hawk, and American three-toed
woodpecker. But I heard no complaints—not at the end, not all week. Our birding
cups were full, our moods Rocky Mountain high.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Returning to the hotel on the last night, Carl said, “It’s
good to leave a few birds on the table. If this was easy it wouldn’t be fun.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">He’s right, of course. Best to save a few birds for next
time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>Copyright 2023 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-42253011927079778992023-06-07T06:36:00.000-05:002023-06-07T06:36:21.940-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Stately symbols</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The nation’s roster of state birds is colorful but not so diverse<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 6-7-23)</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I drive with a cardinal on my license plate. It costs a
little more but not as much as a plate that says COWBIRD, which I observed last
year during a visit to Champaign-Urbana. If the owner of that car is reading,
I’d love to hear your story!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBotStTP4k75u1lIMGLpWSI-Kk4XcpSS56CKqx6vPYd06pMdIcWrYXah0--k-p_1KkXO6QlaVcvhWUPxVa3PwkipamE6V9ChL5dPWGwhcMUUAxBa8f1EdpLPAS1yEyNVZlHI01At8Eq0Ufw-6KqIviLUP5Rx0DmEsD5y0pEdyYhhwqBgDEGQ/s2104/State%20Bird%20stamps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1689" data-original-width="2104" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBotStTP4k75u1lIMGLpWSI-Kk4XcpSS56CKqx6vPYd06pMdIcWrYXah0--k-p_1KkXO6QlaVcvhWUPxVa3PwkipamE6V9ChL5dPWGwhcMUUAxBa8f1EdpLPAS1yEyNVZlHI01At8Eq0Ufw-6KqIviLUP5Rx0DmEsD5y0pEdyYhhwqBgDEGQ/w400-h321/State%20Bird%20stamps.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These state bird and flower stamps, issued in 1982, were highly <br />popular. All 50 stamps are unique, but many states share the same bird.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m certain brown-headed cowbird was not considered for
state bird when Illinois elected the northern cardinal in 1929. (Illinois
schoolchildren proposed the redbird in 1928 and the state made it official the
following year.) </span><span style="font-family: arial; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Until now I’ve stayed clear of state birds, a hot button for
some birdwatchers. We have some strong opinions on the matter. In fact, if
birders had their way, the current line-up of state birds would look a lot
different. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For starters, the cardinal would not be shared by seven
states, western meadowlark by six, and northern mockingbird by five. Only 20 of
our 50 states have a unique state bird. With so much avian variety to choose
from it seems like we could do better. There are some states where a new state
bird <i>makes so much sense.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One is Michigan. The first thing I’d do if I moved there is<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> purchase
a Kirtland’s warbler license plate, which became an option in 2022. <span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Michigan’s state bird, however, is the American robin, chosen
in 1931. The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance is out to change that, and there is
currently bipartisan support in the Michigan state legislature to adopt the
rare warbler as the official state bird. Doing so would recognize the state’s
successful efforts to bring Kirtland’s warbler back from the brink of
extinction in the 1980s.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviofso7KAzkyhHm__JARpc9G8mUYR-guHWPI0I-Lh7QOBpN_llPs44KNo6y4BpNVjhnPL-IKV9IoLmXhkwaFf8p-UIZozHKTQk5KfDIRKK4l3Bl01eQnrLqfxabE1EmMggrDDbOn_G1otbONvtC8VwavYIacA_7f8kUniciDwFBsZh6Lfwg/s2048/Kirtland's%20Warbler%20by%20Christian%20Goers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviofso7KAzkyhHm__JARpc9G8mUYR-guHWPI0I-Lh7QOBpN_llPs44KNo6y4BpNVjhnPL-IKV9IoLmXhkwaFf8p-UIZozHKTQk5KfDIRKK4l3Bl01eQnrLqfxabE1EmMggrDDbOn_G1otbONvtC8VwavYIacA_7f8kUniciDwFBsZh6Lfwg/s320/Kirtland's%20Warbler%20by%20Christian%20Goers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirtland's Warbler by Christian Goers<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">Replacing a state bird is a difficult process, achieved only
once before when South Carolina booted the mockingbird in favor of Carolina
wren, in 1948. Michigan might just pull it off, and by doing so would be the
first state to officially recognize a warbler species—and one that is uniquely
tied to the state. Two other states, Connecticut and Wisconsin, would still
have the robin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">There are at least three good reasons why seven states celebrate
the cardinal. It’s common, brightly colored, and non-migratory. In other words,
the bird is accessible. Anybody can see it, everybody knows it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Kirtland’s warbler passes the color test but finding one takes
effort. Their primary breeding range is a small section of northern Michigan
(lower peninsula), and in the fall and winter they live in the Bahamas. Most
Michiganders will never experience a Kirtland’s warbler unless they seek it
out.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Must a state bird be conspicuous and familiar? Or may other
factors such as local history, conservation success and geographic uniqueness win
the day? Michigan legislators may soon have the answer. Keep an eye on H.B. 6382.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In 2010, some Illinois birders floated the idea of changing
the state bird to red-headed woodpecker. Bob Fisher, president of the Illinois
Ornithological Society at the time, asked a fair question: “Wouldn’t it be nice
if the state bird was more representative of what the state was like when it
was founded?”</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">“When Illinois was being settled, you could spot the
red-headed woodpecker along the creeks and rivers, whereas you would have been
hard pressed to find a cardinal,” Fisher added.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Indeed, despite the moniker “northern cardinal,” our familiar
redbird was primarily a southern species in the 1800s. Its northward range
expansion occurred in the last century.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WOcxAmG8EGfkVsJp-B-ieTkdLjGlmypdRfdwxCPIvNymSXRLrLFtBcSq37W3jJGu43nhNPGXVICMppq-yvTStQfhlCFVABIjr4TxkGgTHJygPtjkzAgtEZmtcmkhZh-FY6xrqcTjxXYz8ICr5pObgR41Npk1gwD8lW5JojR3zSodE8GWdA/s1888/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1888" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WOcxAmG8EGfkVsJp-B-ieTkdLjGlmypdRfdwxCPIvNymSXRLrLFtBcSq37W3jJGu43nhNPGXVICMppq-yvTStQfhlCFVABIjr4TxkGgTHJygPtjkzAgtEZmtcmkhZh-FY6xrqcTjxXYz8ICr5pObgR41Npk1gwD8lW5JojR3zSodE8GWdA/s320/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-headed Woodpecker by Jeff Reiter<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The native roots issue aside, red-headed woodpecker is in
decline and needs conservation. Making it the state bird, birders argued, would
bring it needed attention. </span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Alas, the grass-roots effort earned some publicity before
falling flat. The beloved cardinal was untouchable. </span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">None of the seven cardinal states are considering a change.
But just for fun, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology recently conducted a “thought
experiment” using eBird data to select alternative birds of honor. With eBird, Cornell’s
self-serve database based on millions of citizen-science records, researchers
can estimate the frequency of any bird species in any state. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cornell’s analysis identified a logical bird
for every state, 50 different species. </span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">For Illinois, the eBird choice is indigo bunting, a blue
beauty found in every county during spring and summer. Data show that 6.9% of the
global population breeds here, the third highest of any state. </span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I especially like eBird’s selection for Indiana, another redbird
state. Cornell said sandhill crane would be a proper choice, given that Indiana
hosts the second most cranes in winter and during spring migration. Birders know
to visit Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in the late fall to see the
biggest annual crane gathering east of the Mississippi River.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Sandhill crane would be a nice choice for Nebraska, too—a
chance for the Cornhusker state to break out of the western meadowlark cluster.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Finally, a confession: When I dove into this subject, I found
it hard not to be judgmental. I was looking for mismatches and undeserving
state birds. That was a mistake. </span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The eBird exercise showed that better choices may exist. But the
current roster of state birds needn’t be viewed with disdain. All are worthy,
all chosen for a reason.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">A few even come with a good story. I learned, for example, that
Utah picked “sea gull” because it saved the state from swarms of crop-damaging
crickets in 1848. More than 100 years later, Utah clarified its choice as
California gull, a species found in big numbers around the Great Salt Lake.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I do wish that every state had its own bird. Only 20 can make
that claim, and hopefully Michigan will make it 21. Talk about a good story: the
case for Kirtland’s warbler is too compelling to ignore. If Michigan gets it
done, other states might take a harder look at their own state bird choices.</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2023 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></span></i></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-62416482714617869022023-04-20T06:10:00.000-05:002023-04-20T06:10:35.958-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Chasing a rarity (or not)</div></div></span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 4-20-23)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s my birding style? What’s my favorite way to enjoy
birds? These are questions we might ask ourselves as our engagement with the
hobby grows.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH90r8Cab7akj5smh7WZmeNRIdl7BnoT6Sf28wyTQMmrk475nnyKgJKL4xWCnww8tiIUyrcPIaxWi0X-RBuylsJkemsx8dndJu9VrrKt1-yr_7L2pImB5rE0koM_BEorHcropLS2xBgcgyxS13YK6L4FlvjFq9z8SAO4NqjrsrxuuX0II1w/s4494/Ross's%20Gull%20by%20Matthew%20Zuro.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="4494" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH90r8Cab7akj5smh7WZmeNRIdl7BnoT6Sf28wyTQMmrk475nnyKgJKL4xWCnww8tiIUyrcPIaxWi0X-RBuylsJkemsx8dndJu9VrrKt1-yr_7L2pImB5rE0koM_BEorHcropLS2xBgcgyxS13YK6L4FlvjFq9z8SAO4NqjrsrxuuX0II1w/w400-h266/Ross's%20Gull%20by%20Matthew%20Zuro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ross's Gull by Matt Zuro</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve been pondering them ever since an ultra-rare Ross’s
gull gifted birders a huge surprise in March. First spotted by Dan Lory, the high-Arctic
wanderer triggered a mad rush to a stretch of Chicago beaches near the Indiana
line. It was only the fourth Illinois record for the species, and the best
opportunity to see one here since 1978. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon about 100 birders were on the scene, trying for a
glimpse. Many more were on the way, mapping out directions and wondering where
to park. Word travels fast when Elvis is on the lakefront.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hours before the discovery, no local birder expected to be
life listing a Ross’s gull. A Ross’s goose perhaps, but not a gull. This was insane.
Rare bird chasers were licking their chops.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Time was short, the pressure intense. Surely this bird was a
“one-day wonder.” Nobody saw it the next day, or the next. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But three days after the initial sighting the gull returned,
appearing off and on for another 48 hours. It believed in second chances. More thrill
seekers dropped everything and hit the road. A few arrived from other states,
with success far from guaranteed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birders reported the gull’s whereabouts constantly via the
GroupMe app, helping others find the target. Most (but not all) searchers went home
happy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It may surprise you that I did not pursue the Ross’s gull, already
a lock for the area’s Bird of the Year. Timing is everything, right? When the news
broke, I was leading a bird walk at Cantigny Park; when the bird came back, I
was too busy at work to skip out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once more, I had to experience an amazing bird vicariously. It
was still amazing, just to know such a rarity was only 40 miles from my desk.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKMrZB-epbrMXGXDQXwDZeYWzCOfMjYYNoFTT0MGgOZKzKz6S_GJaSrzpwhmmaSSRK9pYV5-YU8DlHQtzi9WQI-anX8gf2Fs7FGfXe3_frA3rjRVYcKu5pSKJJGABEorvWxsfzEueRUFBcMHNQYSO6cM-7J2_VZdSG8tjfpnYnynwCnpTCg/s1200/Townsend's%20Warbler%20by%20Jerry%20Ting.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1200" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKMrZB-epbrMXGXDQXwDZeYWzCOfMjYYNoFTT0MGgOZKzKz6S_GJaSrzpwhmmaSSRK9pYV5-YU8DlHQtzi9WQI-anX8gf2Fs7FGfXe3_frA3rjRVYcKu5pSKJJGABEorvWxsfzEueRUFBcMHNQYSO6cM-7J2_VZdSG8tjfpnYnynwCnpTCg/s320/Townsend's%20Warbler%20by%20Jerry%20Ting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Townsend's Warbler by Jerry Ting</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">In birding, you get some and you miss some. We learn to be
OK with it, otherwise we’d go crazy. My personal outlook is glass-half-full:
most birds I really want to see will cross my path eventually. Maybe not Ross’s
gull but most.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It took me years to locate some birds that my friends seem
to find routinely—least bittern, worm-eating warbler, Kentucky warbler, and
vesper sparrow, to name a few. Those same friends enabled some of my most
coveted sightings. The birding community is incredibly supportive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We do remember the misses, though. In 2015, I went all the
way to Quincy, Illinois, to bag an ivory gull—another rare white wonder from
the far north, and the first in Illinois since 1992. Too late, the bird was
gone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a hobby, not life or death, and there are always birds
to see. In Quincy, I recall watching eagles soar against a pure blue sky and a
pileated woodpecker pounding away on a snag. A tufted titmouse called. Nature awards
some fine consolation prizes if we are open to receiving them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fast forward to 2020, when dozens of birders scurried to Deer
Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine for a Townsend’s warbler, a rare visitor to
the Midwest. Once again, I couldn’t get away. Oh well, I thought, I’ll see that
bird someday—maybe out west where it belongs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sure enough, in January, my wish came true. I was birding at
Madera Canyon in the Tucson area with my friend Chuck, a Chicago retiree on an extended
winter getaway. Walking down a snow-dusted trail, we encountered a striking
Townsend’s warbler, a most welcome surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8cmqCwVJb5qbXuxspKcx_XMDUROo-aIdwdUfMwYCU2vUEeEfZ1hx-_dFAkMwUx8Y5RN2R3OLUjWdCB7mNNhzKz2k4s7UpGwmDq-pJPd2aFeqGh3ipKoH2rxnlLEihw-2bVcc0tM0a6Nh7oLxIv-0dDhfkOK0s_utUkHBlW-wD-RNqcxQJQ/s1024/Birding%20Pals%20in%20AZ%20Jan%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8cmqCwVJb5qbXuxspKcx_XMDUROo-aIdwdUfMwYCU2vUEeEfZ1hx-_dFAkMwUx8Y5RN2R3OLUjWdCB7mNNhzKz2k4s7UpGwmDq-pJPd2aFeqGh3ipKoH2rxnlLEihw-2bVcc0tM0a6Nh7oLxIv-0dDhfkOK0s_utUkHBlW-wD-RNqcxQJQ/s320/Birding%20Pals%20in%20AZ%20Jan%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuck Berman (left) and Jeff Reiter</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Three more lifers followed, and only one, yellow-eyed junco,
was fully anticipated (thanks to Chuck’s scouting report). Hepatic tanager was
a bonus, and Chuck later guided me to a small park in Green Valley for Lawrence’s
goldfinch.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, I’m back to my initial question about birding style. My experience
in Arizona was just about perfect—easy pace, no pressure, let’s just see what
we see. The only thing we chased was a good time.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In her new book, “Slow Birding,” Joan Strassmann urges us to
relax and pay more attention to the birds all around us. That’s good advice that
we probably don’t hear enough. Patience and careful observation go a long way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">How we bird is a personal choice. You can watch birds from
your kitchen window, a park bench, or a wheelchair. You might travel the world to
see exotic birds or track down rare birds all over Chicagoland and the Midwest.
With so many options, the hobby is accessible for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Keep a list, keep 10 lists, or forego listing altogether.
Fire up eBird, Merlin and GroupMe, or head into the field unplugged, with just a
raggedy old Peterson guide. Bird alone or with others. Hang a feeder or not. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My own approach to the hobby is mixed. I love watching my
yard, slow birding in familiar or new places, and writing about what I see.
Experiencing new birds and growing my life list is fun for me, but I’ve morphed
into a reluctant chaser. I’ll drive to see a rare bird only if it fits my
schedule, isn’t too far, and the odds of success are high. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Know your style and wear it proudly. There’s no crying in
baseball, and no shame in birding. Do what feels right and gives you joy.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2023 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-70237484662829074492023-03-02T05:48:00.000-06:002023-03-02T05:48:00.094-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLyX7fKlmlqTDZisjVC6mygd_qOevBMq4UM2Vx0h-OBhMA7Qm08HXJEIjhzjDrS5HVq_BCkrozxM__Rp7oCDkmzqrR9WiK2T0ncioeGkdeN0GBYXLA3p6Mv4hTH0J43WRAS7SZP6-Z_sP2N0D3p3z9TyB-LDUN3FSCMm7JrGnoaClRUZ9bw/s2682/Red-winged%20Blackbird%20by%20Christian%20Goers.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="2682" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLyX7fKlmlqTDZisjVC6mygd_qOevBMq4UM2Vx0h-OBhMA7Qm08HXJEIjhzjDrS5HVq_BCkrozxM__Rp7oCDkmzqrR9WiK2T0ncioeGkdeN0GBYXLA3p6Mv4hTH0J43WRAS7SZP6-Z_sP2N0D3p3z9TyB-LDUN3FSCMm7JrGnoaClRUZ9bw/w400-h266/Red-winged%20Blackbird%20by%20Christian%20Goers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird by Christian Goers</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Black beauties of the marsh</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Red-winged blackbirds are back, on territory, and sounding
off<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 3-2-23)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes I like to nerd out on a specific bird. The challenge
is to learn something new, and I always do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Today’s focus is the red-winged blackbird, a true harbinger
of spring in northern Illinois. The glossy black males with scarlet shoulder
patches (or “epaulets”) are now returning from the southern U.S., establishing
territories in preparation for mating season. Their exuberant “konk-la-reeeee!”
is a classic sound of the marsh that amplifies in the coming weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The redwing is highly adaptable. It thrives in a variety of habitats,
even low-quality ones, and adjusts its diet to the season. These traits, along
with a hyperactive sex drive, make it one of the most abundant birds in North
America, found coast-to-coast. We see redwings just about everywhere, from wetlands
and farm fields to bird feeders and ditches along the interstate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Beginning birders may find the female redwing tricky to identify.
It’s brown and heavily streaked, like a large sparrow. The females migrate here
a few weeks after the males and maintain a low profile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD-AdY1gLG03ryY_tENqhxvvtCRGQFNbHIDB1UFxlIPfvlZ7z-BvGVNnONYOEzfmeYkBNqp_Kf6q8ABLB4p7i12G3UayXIFujGeja-JGQqQhNsk_TWGdlAdtPNBLe27BtGUuzOonup40b5yEhJ0K6m7xxxcIOFtLWZjsVUUdBOO1d_8VXwQ/s4288/sign%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD-AdY1gLG03ryY_tENqhxvvtCRGQFNbHIDB1UFxlIPfvlZ7z-BvGVNnONYOEzfmeYkBNqp_Kf6q8ABLB4p7i12G3UayXIFujGeja-JGQqQhNsk_TWGdlAdtPNBLe27BtGUuzOonup40b5yEhJ0K6m7xxxcIOFtLWZjsVUUdBOO1d_8VXwQ/s320/sign%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Redwings are famously aggressive during nesting season, generally
mid-May through July. If you are close to an active nest the male will let you
know. Agitated birds hover over human intruders, scolding repeatedly with a
harsh “chack!” Parks with trails around lakes and ponds, and golf courses, are
hot zones. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some redwings get physical, approaching from behind and
making light contact with their feet. Getting bopped on the head is startling
but seldom bloody.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Any perceived enemy is fair game for the fearless RWBB. The species
will even chase and briefly land on flying hawks, crows and herons, giving the
larger birds a peck on the head or neck. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My Words on Birds business card features a redwing in the
air, poised for attack. I snapped the photo looking straight up and then scrambled
to safety.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But let’s get back to those epaulets. When a male redwing
sings, the tail spreads out and the wings lift, fully exposing the red patches.
Ornithologists, I learned, call this song-spread. The display serves to defend
territory and attract potential mates. Birds with the biggest, brightest wing patches
enjoy a competitive advantage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The red patches have a yellowish edge at the base. A thin buffy
wing bar is often the only color visible on a male, such as during a foraging
trip inside another male’s territory. This species can be inconspicuous when it
needs to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A few other gleanings:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">-- The lifespan of a red-winged blackbird averages
about three years. The oldest bird on record, which we know from bird banding,
was 15 years and 9 months.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">-- Redwings are among the most polygynous of all
bird species. Males may breed with 10 or more females during nesting season,
although three is average. Females are a little slinky, too, often mating with
more than one male.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdrVx25xk4MpkU6OHzXUJsjcaCoFVpEY-31aR3ue3SDnUAUYf74oGj5aOIuqr-1C46L940dy-W1LMiO10jFKvgID03lgLNlXSKMw7szvodVgumzYUlPT4HLUr0mtex902OTMIaS_fNr0TuLfo6_ze4kt0xDhJC61UCDcAWfuO68p_G8Cc1A/s1814/Nest%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1723" data-original-width="1814" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdrVx25xk4MpkU6OHzXUJsjcaCoFVpEY-31aR3ue3SDnUAUYf74oGj5aOIuqr-1C46L940dy-W1LMiO10jFKvgID03lgLNlXSKMw7szvodVgumzYUlPT4HLUr0mtex902OTMIaS_fNr0TuLfo6_ze4kt0xDhJC61UCDcAWfuO68p_G8Cc1A/w200-h190/Nest%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A former RWBB nest</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">-- A male’s territory is usually a quarter-acre or
less—much smaller than I expected given all the hanky panky going on.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">-- Females construct the nest from dried marsh
vegetation and grasses, about four feet off the ground or water surface. The
nest is used only once. A new one is built if there is a second brood, to keep
the young safe from tiny nest parasites.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">-- Redwings are capable of massive crop damage when
they gather in huge flocks after nesting season. The species is protected under
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and yet farmers are allowed to employ “control
measures” to mitigate economic losses.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When not raising families, red-winged blackbirds are indeed
highly social, which makes them easy targets. Winter roosts in agricultural
areas, usually with grackles and starlings mixed in, can number in the millions.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This time of year, however, the dapper redwings are setting
up shop and looking out for No. 1. Celebrate spring’s early arrival by going
for a look and listen at your local marsh. Even a neighborhood pond with some
cattails might do the trick. The show is on!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2023 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-68850533964212248492023-02-15T06:13:00.000-06:002023-02-15T06:13:19.314-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i9DPQx13mZR6CEokfYDCUWBQUrmFn7hPTbzdC5sazoQO7M62FgYNCKvJuRBvt5uwHTMVHe6pk-pXwQOJ25GXlKwB1pBMj-An2fpjNqchL47izyBhb9B4A0OAlIuj1gjg99C8D3l8_nu3pfolHdJ16OQ7d5By92lp-klx-4GIwiR3FDBNBQ/s3539/Sax-Zim%20Bog%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2266" data-original-width="3539" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i9DPQx13mZR6CEokfYDCUWBQUrmFn7hPTbzdC5sazoQO7M62FgYNCKvJuRBvt5uwHTMVHe6pk-pXwQOJ25GXlKwB1pBMj-An2fpjNqchL47izyBhb9B4A0OAlIuj1gjg99C8D3l8_nu3pfolHdJ16OQ7d5By92lp-klx-4GIwiR3FDBNBQ/w400-h256/Sax-Zim%20Bog%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival, February 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From my kitchen table to yours</b></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><i>20th Anniversary Column!</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 2-15-23)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier this month I presented to the DuPage Birding Club,
filling an hour with stories from this column. Amazingly, some audience members
stayed awake until the end. As Words on Birds begins its twentieth year, here’s
a light version of my remarks, without the 103 PowerPoint slides.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My inaugural column, “Birdwatching is like a box of
chocolates,” ran in the </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Glen Ellyn News</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> and other weekly newspapers in
the now defunct Liberty Suburban chain. The </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Daily Herald</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> picked up the
column in 2008 and it’s been here ever since, running once a month if I’m on my
game.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is my passion project. After more than 200 columns, I
still enjoy writing about birds, birding, and birders.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finding topics isn’t hard. I usually have several column-worthy
ideas swimming in my head, but many stories are pop ups—unplanned columns about
unusual or rare bird sightings, by me and by others. “Chasing the big grackle,”
last February, is a good example. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The story of that vagrant great-tailed grackle still makes
me smile. Doug Stotz from Chicago’s Field Museum discovered the bird, hanging
out next to I-57 at the Monee exit—the bird, not Doug. It stayed for weeks,
surviving a brutal winter on gas station food scraps.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stotz, Josh Engel and other true bird experts have provided
helpful insights over the years, no doubt saving me from myself. I’m learning
all the time, but I’m still a birder, not an ornithologist. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsGf5y2NoHKBLcFCiW4honEPXEb2EVwtnLnzviA8guPe888tMIzamNL2yGiN-Tr7AYjT68nuIWS6eOLQ-sP9sRsd9-d5_-zMJ4ZkJ_vRoHNiEgLPfOioen70EDZoS1x4LiYC_xX0HuGKXCmGE_a5act9_nhr7_hcSdNAKiF6Xfcy9agnOmQ/s4288/DSC_4487.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsGf5y2NoHKBLcFCiW4honEPXEb2EVwtnLnzviA8guPe888tMIzamNL2yGiN-Tr7AYjT68nuIWS6eOLQ-sP9sRsd9-d5_-zMJ4ZkJ_vRoHNiEgLPfOioen70EDZoS1x4LiYC_xX0HuGKXCmGE_a5act9_nhr7_hcSdNAKiF6Xfcy9agnOmQ/s320/DSC_4487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, May 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Monee was exciting, but it couldn’t top Yorkville. That’s
where nine black-bellied whistling ducks visited Irene Kaufman’s backyard
feeders in May 2014. That story had it all—a rare species for our region that revved
up the birding community, a “stakeout” scenario lasting 10 days, and a welcoming
homeowner who embraced the excitement in her once peaceful subdivision. More
than 200 birders signed a guestbook in Irene’s driveway.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I write about common birds, too, especially those in our
neighborhoods. The column has made me more observant, and I hope it’s had the
same effect on you. Species that don’t visit feeders can be seen in your trees
and shrubs, or in the sky, at certain times of year. The key is being alert and
knowing when to look. I’ve devoted columns to cranes, eagles, nighthawks, hummingbirds,
nuthatches, owls, sparrows, tanagers, woodpeckers, wrens and, of course, the dazzling
spring warblers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Going beyond the backyard adds to the fun. As birdwatchers
we enjoy an outstanding network of county forest preserves and other local hot
spots, dozens of them mentioned here. Some venues are worth a bit more driving.
We’ve traveled to Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Indiana Dunes State
Park, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and the legendary Sax-Zim Bog in
Minnesota.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You’ve also endured my rambling bird-filled vacation reports
from Florida (lots), South Dakota, Pacific Northwest, England, and Ireland. I’ll
admit, Words on Birds sometimes reads like a personal diary—thanks for
indulging me. I wrote about my “spark bird” (hooded warbler); 100<sup>th</sup>
yard bird (common yellowthroat); 500<sup>th</sup> life bird (a varied thrush in
Evanston!); and my triumphant encounters with former nemesis birds such as
Kentucky warbler and worm-eating warbler. <o:p></o:p></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0PNbIvdWaOwrpT3JduyQ1qACQuKJ8aXjMfuzVl3NWRu86AkTvcad2i3UZtGN4dZkjdd_Tl29KsFuYMx9sT_xxldS7C7cguyw36wxEp5-4nLo3D481AWaoiLmQ5viElO0EXceldz1jQZFurBhAeyDoOhrs8hLrlww5eOR9tpWcD9UvZDeBA/s4288/Hackmatack%20birders%20courtesy%20of%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0PNbIvdWaOwrpT3JduyQ1qACQuKJ8aXjMfuzVl3NWRu86AkTvcad2i3UZtGN4dZkjdd_Tl29KsFuYMx9sT_xxldS7C7cguyw36wxEp5-4nLo3D481AWaoiLmQ5viElO0EXceldz1jQZFurBhAeyDoOhrs8hLrlww5eOR9tpWcD9UvZDeBA/s320/Hackmatack%20birders%20courtesy%20of%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, June 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This column introduced you to birding rock stars like George
Archibald, Vern Kleen, Noah Strycker and Julie Zickefoose. You met local
birders Graham and Henrey Deese, Keriann Dubina, Ray Feld, David Johnson,
Kristina Knowski, Al Stokie and Kyle Wiktor. You even met my late parents, Rollin
and Dori Reiter, who took me on a very cold woodcock watch early in life. I’m
sure glad they did.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I profiled the “birdiest” yard in DuPage County; went
downstate to observe prairie chickens on their lek; likened birding to fishing;
debated birdwatching as sport vs. hobby; covered Big Days and Big Years; reviewed
a dozen books; and sang the virtues of the federal duck stamp. One of my
earliest columns was about butterflies!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">No bird-related topic is off limits. Writing about the
racism of John J. Audubon wasn’t easy, and it’s never fun to report on the
steady decline of bird populations, a sadly recurring theme. But people need to
know. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birders tend to care about conservation and the environment,
so the more of them the better. If my writings help bring a few more people
into birdwatching, then I’m a happy reporter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You should know that I don’t see or even attempt to see all
the spectacular birds featured on these pages. It’s a rush just keeping track
of all the action, conveying the experiences of lucky souls who track down
their targets or who simply find themselves in the right place at the right
time. Fortunately, a lot of them carry big lenses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">High-quality bird photos are essential. They draw people in
way better than words. The following photographers have been especially
generous with their images: Jackie Bowman, Mike Carroll, Jim Frazier, Christian
Goers, Jerry Goldner, Bonnie Graham, Tamima Itani and Matt Misewicz. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks also to you, for reading my stuff, and to the <i>Daily
Herald</i> for providing a far-reaching platform. I’ll try to keep earning my
wings.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2023 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-47600402812646725852022-12-15T19:02:00.001-06:002022-12-19T13:16:28.683-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pqWHJoEZ3X3ppGMPvq-HRmoULYfwMhZNgaxjZFYvr8bOzCHBHLbNWg_--r1X0-R-g-PhNIHG-UecMRhV_3vaAi-zz9Ok9PJdjj88pk2wspOHk8bawQJnvFlL2gaGkj2L3i6oBg4X9xtrPZlt36FlW1MIAja8HSENeARJ-TfhoAZEdPSd_g/s4190/Painted%20Redstart%20by%20Hemant%20Kishan.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3245" data-original-width="4190" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pqWHJoEZ3X3ppGMPvq-HRmoULYfwMhZNgaxjZFYvr8bOzCHBHLbNWg_--r1X0-R-g-PhNIHG-UecMRhV_3vaAi-zz9Ok9PJdjj88pk2wspOHk8bawQJnvFlL2gaGkj2L3i6oBg4X9xtrPZlt36FlW1MIAja8HSENeARJ-TfhoAZEdPSd_g/w320-h248/Painted%20Redstart%20by%20Hemant%20Kishan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Painted Redstart by Hemant Krishan</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Extraordinary birds of 2022</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Rare sightings and other surprises captivated local
watchers throughout the year</span></i></div></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 12-15-22)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The younger, hot-shot birders call them megas, as in
mega-rarity—their name for the occasional OMG birds that send dedicated
watchers racing for their binoculars and car keys. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Megas can be once-in-a-lifetime events. What are your
chances, say, of spotting a painted redstart in Illinois? Almost zero. And yet
it happened on August 21, at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“It was an exciting adrenaline rush for sure,” said the
finder, Jeff Bilsky. “The bird was amazing and beautiful with its brilliant red
belly, white wings and the constantly waving tail.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Painted redstart is a bird of southeast Arizona. Our state
had never seen one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jeff’s companion that day, Beau Schaeffer, quickly alerted the
birding community via the GroupMe app, enabling about 50 fast-acting birders to
get eyes on the history-making songbird before it vanished. Searchers came up
empty the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another surprise visitor from the West, lesser goldfinch, appeared
in March at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lamont.<span style="color: red;"> </span>The bird, also an Illinois first, was discovered
during a banding project and hung around the center’s feeders for a week. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Exciting birds filled out 2022 from start to finish. Few were
megas, of course, but a good many left their viewers feeling lucky and
thankful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>News of a feather</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ll get to those sightings in a bit. First, let’s review
the year’s bird-related news, leading off with the serious stuff:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The "</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">2022 State of the Birds Report,” issued in
October by 33 leading science and conservation organizations, said more than
half of U.S. bird</span><span style="color: #473e36; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;">species are declining. Seventy “tipping point
species,” it added, have each lost half or more of their populations in the
past 50 years and could lose another half in the next 50 years if nothing
changes. Among them: chimney swift, rufous hummingbird, golden-winged warbler,
evening grosbeak, and bobolink.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2022, now in Congress, would deliver a
significant boost for at-risk species, supplying $1.3 billion in annual funding.
The bill enjoys strong bipartisan support and could be signed into law any day
now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Bird Conservation Network released a landmark
study based on 22 years of bird census data. “Breeding Bird Trends in the
Chicago Region 1999-2020” calls out the importance of protected lands as
critical habitat for nesting species.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAcF6Jm0BH939_DHlf2M9ewKDcFcWMX60GaA63fwrZ8nMrR0YU0vfisoRVTL1lz1Z2g0hAJWXFPo6-OldWDXzDgrfrty7CKZHILgQ8hEEsapBAiS6YTTqBy9W5NkX0ikdGdyvpKvHt9Jpjom2YRa2i2q4_0Nrrqsjyc-BFIpT8j1hfs68Gw/s3433/Neotropic%20Cormorant%20by%20Randall%20Everts.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2451" data-original-width="3433" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAcF6Jm0BH939_DHlf2M9ewKDcFcWMX60GaA63fwrZ8nMrR0YU0vfisoRVTL1lz1Z2g0hAJWXFPo6-OldWDXzDgrfrty7CKZHILgQ8hEEsapBAiS6YTTqBy9W5NkX0ikdGdyvpKvHt9Jpjom2YRa2i2q4_0Nrrqsjyc-BFIpT8j1hfs68Gw/s320/Neotropic%20Cormorant%20by%20Randall%20Everts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neotropic Cormorant by Randall Everts</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Monty died at Montrose Beach on May 13, from a
respiratory infection. The renowned piping plover was no doubt missing his
mate, Rose, who did not return. This would have been the fourth year of nesting
by the pair on their namesake Chicago strand.</span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">On a brighter note, the Great Lakes Piping Plover
Conservation Team noted a record-breaking 2022 breeding season, with 149 plover
fledglings, the most since counting began in 1984 and up from 87 in 2020.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Imani, one of Monty and Rose’s chicks from 2021, was
spotted on Montrose on May 25, the same day birders held a memorial for his
famous parents.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Monty did not die from avian flu, but an outbreak of
the virus last spring caused the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to
advise a shutdown of bird feeders and bird baths. Among wild bird populations, aquatic
birds were most affected locally, including a large die-off of double-crested
cormorants at Baker’s Lake near Barrington.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Infection also claimed the life of a beloved female
great horned owl that nested for many years at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
approved a $25 million expansion and revitalization of Willowbrook Wildlife
Center in Glen Ellyn. Completion is set for 2025.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Willowbrook took in several raptors for rodenticide
poisoning last winter, including a bald eagle and snowy owl. Both were released
after successful treatment.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Voters approved a tax increase last month that will
provide extra resources for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, a big win for
urban and suburban nature.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Illinois Audubon Society celebrated its 125</span><sup style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">
anniversary in 2022 and in August named Jo Fessett executive director. She succeeds
Jim Herkert who retired in April.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Naperville-based Conservation Foundation achieved
a milestone as well, turning 50.</span></div><div><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div><div><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bird Watcher’s Digest</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;"> folded suddenly
after 43 years in print, only to be reborn six months later as <i>BWD</i>, with
new ownership and a larger page format.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">A greater white-fronted goose crashed a Los Angeles
Dodgers playoff game in prime time, and a Volkswagen commercial with a birdwatching
theme made the song “I Like Birds” even more popular. You know that tune from
“The Big Year,” right?</span><span style="font-family: arial; mso-spacerun: yes; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Right?</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">New video from Louisiana prompted the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to pause plans for declaring the ivory-billed woodpecker extinct.
Hope is still alive.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Notable sightings</span></b><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Redpolls and white-winged crossbills invaded from the
north, delighting birders all winter and deep into spring. A Mundelein
homeowner reported 300 redpolls in her yard at once!</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaY3tDhFQrBnsmag0g3tYf2V7fbFthcU2i0judY-JjQEeb-BLZoXfZ9cat1KY2dH-bYvBvddDe-ri0JlhBvu24zpVnxrJ4Y7fpu9Czl57LtP3g6FQGH4vWlRDEPuvp7A7qmMzteMIxvAz_fMZcwPYVixlGfdKw7YyAnO5nWS89Wg1yXwB1w/s1280/Bobwhite%20by%20Henry%20Meade.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaY3tDhFQrBnsmag0g3tYf2V7fbFthcU2i0judY-JjQEeb-BLZoXfZ9cat1KY2dH-bYvBvddDe-ri0JlhBvu24zpVnxrJ4Y7fpu9Czl57LtP3g6FQGH4vWlRDEPuvp7A7qmMzteMIxvAz_fMZcwPYVixlGfdKw7YyAnO5nWS89Wg1yXwB1w/w320-h213/Bobwhite%20by%20Henry%20Meade.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Northern Bobwhite by Henry Meade</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The DuPage County Spring Bird Count (SBC),
coordinated by the DuPage Birding Club, turned up 173 species on May 7. Adding
just one new bird to the SBC all-time list is a long shot—the logbook is going
on 50 years. Incredibly, three were added in 2022: common redpoll, Neotropic
cormorant and trumpeter swan. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Six woodpecker species, none of them an ivory-bill,
were among 205 birds found on May 13 by the Big Day team of Mike Avara, Colin
Dobson, Mark Vukovich and Mike Ward. Their carefully planned itinerary covered
750 road miles and shattered the old Illinois Big Day record of 191 species,
set in 2013 and tied in 2016. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Across all counties, water-loving species considered
uncommon or rare popped up regularly, perhaps due in part to climate change. Black-bellied
whistling duck; cattle and snowy egrets; little blue heron; black-necked stilt;
red-necked and eared grebes; Neotropic cormorant; white-faced ibis; and trumpeter
swan—all presented excellent viewing opportunities in 2022. State of the Birds,
mentioned above, singled out wetlands as the one habitat in which bird numbers
are increasing. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If
you’ve got the time, we’ve got the birds” made a good jingle for 2022. Here are
some additional highlights:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">In January, a snowy owl spent two weeks at DuPage
Airport while another watched planes at O’Hare. In April, a third snowy turned
up at Northerly Island in Chicago, formerly Meigs Field.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Three whooping cranes rested overnight at Nelson’s
Lake Marsh in March. Black terns coursed over the Batavia preserve in August.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Kaneville Cemetery produced a white-winged dove and once
again proved to be the most reliable place to find a Eurasian tree sparrow.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Fermilab, finally reopened to birders in April, boasted
three pairs of nesting ospreys.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Morton Arboretum produced cerulean warbler, northern
mockingbird, blue grosbeak, western kingbird, and pileated woodpecker. Best of
all was a spotted towhee in October.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">A flyover golden eagle electrified a DuPage Birding
Club walk at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">In June, a northern bobwhite called its name along
the Great Western Trail in Lombard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxuOOap1_vdgsTVFAmfTxTWsHIYii_QwXe20XYQ_3i7aAiXr7oJYgGosiI2_tyiMAwmoRXdI66_Gdu0kfwa4XsZpOtmmm13JQ3rzyQNhzVRXgW1HJQyNs8XRP-ljbJjA_rS-nDQN_XjnB15aILOAoXCYY6CVQ9lY4GGtfuTtZ9N0mEEBFww/s5232/Evening%20Grosbeaks%20by%20Bonnie%20Graham.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="5232" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxuOOap1_vdgsTVFAmfTxTWsHIYii_QwXe20XYQ_3i7aAiXr7oJYgGosiI2_tyiMAwmoRXdI66_Gdu0kfwa4XsZpOtmmm13JQ3rzyQNhzVRXgW1HJQyNs8XRP-ljbJjA_rS-nDQN_XjnB15aILOAoXCYY6CVQ9lY4GGtfuTtZ9N0mEEBFww/s320/Evening%20Grosbeaks%20by%20Bonnie%20Graham.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Grosbeaks by Bonnie Graham</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Vera
Miller was justifiably giddy after finding a Brewster’s warbler (blue-winged/golden-winged
hybrid) at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve near Darien.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">After an absence of many years, grasshopper sparrows
returned to Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Hooded warblers nested again at St. James Farm Forest
Preserve, where pileated woodpeckers may be breeding as well. A pileated was
spotted next door at Cantigny Park twice.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Observers at the Greene Valley Forest Preserve hawk
watch tallied 1,809 migrating broad-winged hawks on September 26, the site’s
fourth-highest daily count for the species.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Numerous evening grosbeak sightings across the region
in November sparked hopes of an irruption year for the coveted species.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">A Neotropic cormorant hung out all spring and summer at Lambert Lake, a small preserve in Glen Ellyn.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"></span></p><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Barn owls appeared three times at Montrose Point Bird
Sanctuary in Chicago, the region’s hottest of all hot spots. The site’s 2022 avian
goodies included piping and snowy plovers, red knot, laughing gull, upland
sandpiper, Townsend’s solitaire, and yellow-headed blackbird. Tack on 30
species of warbler, too.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">A purple sandpiper at Montrose in September, seen by
many, was the earliest fall sighting of the species on record.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Marsh dwelling black rails were heard in both Cook and
Lake Counties, and a yellow rail turned up in a Ravenswood back alley.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg-qLt_WkS4Dwf8BcFk9KUjWqme8-B642FPwMoMMhtkjcFfp02vMHzu_TLKD8zEKY67lMYqCKxetVjs80l7NRjCb9-UZDqo7o0iZuqIxl3c1pE4GdN_rKzfQHWdmTDjT5vq_MjM7eBhjoQGNdxWEbwIu11imsZrUvRs834wEe0eqJisxWGg/s2574/Fork-tailed%20Flycatcher%20by%20Bonnie%20Graham.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2171" data-original-width="2574" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg-qLt_WkS4Dwf8BcFk9KUjWqme8-B642FPwMoMMhtkjcFfp02vMHzu_TLKD8zEKY67lMYqCKxetVjs80l7NRjCb9-UZDqo7o0iZuqIxl3c1pE4GdN_rKzfQHWdmTDjT5vq_MjM7eBhjoQGNdxWEbwIu11imsZrUvRs834wEe0eqJisxWGg/s320/Fork-tailed%20Flycatcher%20by%20Bonnie%20Graham.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fork-tailed Flycatcher by Bonnie Graham</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chicago’s creatively named Park 566 produced a black-legged
kittiwake, lark bunting, Say’s phoebe, and loggerhead shrike.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Jackson Park surrendered a western tanager, and a
sage thrasher turned up at Northerly Island.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Illinois Beach State Park was the place to be in May,
for rare flycatchers and their human admirers. Some birders scored a remarkable
trifecta on the same day: eastern kingbird, western kingbird (a pair) and
scissor-tailed flycatcher. One week later a fork-tailed flycatcher visited, the
third on record for Illinois. Mega!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Birders who missed the IBSP “forkie” had two more
chances. In late October, a fork-tailed flycatcher toured Glacial Park
Conservation Area in McHenry County. Another (maybe the same bird) lit up the
Indiana Dunes a few days later.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">A Bullock’s oriole graced a private residence in
Winthrop Harbor, and a tricolored heron thrilled birders at nearby Waukegan
Beach in June.</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Will County pitched in with Barrow’s goldeneye,
great-tailed grackle, Smith’s longspur, and painted bunting, the latter at Midewin
National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;">Midewin and Indiana Dunes are practically next door
compared with other 2022 rarity hideouts. Birders zipped over to Mason County
for limpkin, the state’s fifth record, and Knox County for swallow-tailed kite.
Last month, a northern wheatear landed in Jasper County.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0JZERqVcWhRKls-B7zIYs0OuUVF9xAyzTwmoZ7cQvzZTr5sYJH-4pH5Sit3YveqpyLpAkc6L9_mdfni3pHHs79FI52lS6wrd5b0AEqjBo96UILhRTp0iZgfC5igVJZZNk6jIGjnmh7j9L_A9lcs-TFM83391liCNAnE5dcSgB5nszqrfqw/s3093/Rufous%20Hummingbird%20by%20Graham%20Deese.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="3093" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0JZERqVcWhRKls-B7zIYs0OuUVF9xAyzTwmoZ7cQvzZTr5sYJH-4pH5Sit3YveqpyLpAkc6L9_mdfni3pHHs79FI52lS6wrd5b0AEqjBo96UILhRTp0iZgfC5igVJZZNk6jIGjnmh7j9L_A9lcs-TFM83391liCNAnE5dcSgB5nszqrfqw/s320/Rufous%20Hummingbird%20by%20Graham%20Deese.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Hummingbird by Graham Deese</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Two McHenry homeowners enjoyed (and shared) unlikely
feeder birds this month—a juvenile male rose-breasted grosbeak in Algonquin,
and a Harris’s sparrow in Crystal Lake. A McHenry County surf scoter at
Turnberry Park was notable in October.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Finally, it’s almost a holiday tradition for a rufous
hummingbird to visit a backyard nectar feeder that was kept out “just in case.”
Hosting honors this year belonged to Oak Park homeowner Rebecca Koch Czurylo, who
generously opened her yard to scores of eager birders in late November. The
western hummer was still sipping away in early December.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Personal highlights</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of my best moments of 2022 occurred in March while
up on a ladder cleaning out the gutters. The dreaded task took an unexpected
turn toward joy when a big flock of noisy white-fronted geese passed over—my
second-ever yard sighting of the species.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk3SgPOTPQm-JJ6TXMWGtk3uGAfiR3R7Nz7Go9jrAzcySVh29Jwyf8xietJjsUbi17ujOtMTy_7UAPZKDw6jX8l1qHUr4ZopeSPkn43cDMlQlBW912YJPodHibYCwE28uf0lAEm0n_FhF4To6qUAfnXMvnFzmeNKhH8VB1nZ3TEeu6TSjiw/s2805/Vesper%20Sparrow%20by%20Nick%20Waite.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2805" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk3SgPOTPQm-JJ6TXMWGtk3uGAfiR3R7Nz7Go9jrAzcySVh29Jwyf8xietJjsUbi17ujOtMTy_7UAPZKDw6jX8l1qHUr4ZopeSPkn43cDMlQlBW912YJPodHibYCwE28uf0lAEm0n_FhF4To6qUAfnXMvnFzmeNKhH8VB1nZ3TEeu6TSjiw/s320/Vesper%20Sparrow%20by%20Nick%20Waite.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vesper Sparrow by Nick Waite</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vesper sparrow always eluded me until April, when
Haley Gottardo alerted birders to their presence at Kress Creek Park in West
Chicago. Once there, Nick Waite pointed me to the cryptic ground-feeding birds
(a flock of three) and shared one of his photos. Thank you both!</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed “An Evening with the
Cranes” at the International Crane Foundation in June. It was our first visit to
Baraboo (Wis.) since ICF’s impressive $10 million renovation, completed in
2021. You don’t have to be a craniac to love the place, or the organization.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In closing, kudos to all my fellow birders, young and
old, who graciously shared the hobby in 2022. The pandemic brought many new watchers
under our tent—truly a silver lining. We all appreciate birds, and there’s a
place for everyone, from relentless chasers to kitchen window feeder peepers. Let’s
keep growing the community and raising public awareness for bird conservation.
Birding is fun but it carries a responsibility, too.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May your holidays be mega-happy, and the new year filled
with lifers!</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></i></span></p></div>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-45715338544434434842022-11-16T10:35:00.000-06:002022-11-16T10:35:37.234-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D-q0hIeh58j_PLwdoJbNsyOESbim4kQlkyGAysAdMsSBj8qS_afFORMYzusOfbc3ST3XmH_Jfih3X1HUWPhZvwek6rqDegU_uueFjmyrmsQ1FG1rNqKNkiJwxzId0c7FqzcjimdrD_q0uQTR77jm2Ae3keylYwSE_hm2vFBMKjwQULYPtQ/s2216/Prairie%20Falcon%20by%20Mike%20Dunn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1741" data-original-width="2216" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D-q0hIeh58j_PLwdoJbNsyOESbim4kQlkyGAysAdMsSBj8qS_afFORMYzusOfbc3ST3XmH_Jfih3X1HUWPhZvwek6rqDegU_uueFjmyrmsQ1FG1rNqKNkiJwxzId0c7FqzcjimdrD_q0uQTR77jm2Ae3keylYwSE_hm2vFBMKjwQULYPtQ/w320-h251/Prairie%20Falcon%20by%20Mike%20Dunn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Falcon by Mike Dunn</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Stumping for birds</b></span></span></div><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bob
Dolgan’s documentaries capture the magic and mystery of Illinois birds<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 11-16-22)</span></span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chicago resident Bob
Dolgan is a birder, a conservationist, and a fan of the Cleveland Guardians—impressive
credentials in my book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I first met Bob at last
spring’s Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, where he was promoting a film project
called The Magic Stump. I’ll get to that in a minute. First, a flashback,
because I can’t resist an opportunity to talk baseball in a birding column.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2021, knowing Bob
only from his “This Week in Birding” newsletter, I came across his name in a
book about the 1948 Cleveland Indians (now Guardians). I zipped off an email,
asking him about his apparent connection to baseball history.</span></span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5RE5ix4PztkR7757cU_1FT0rP8T4n7P8CMDO-MzeHzUM2WcmaF1GcJrQTwpHwEWROQlP-PHSOKcZHU5Fwiy7sOVEu5-RfRBWywd2vpxlp_wG1ZBt5bho_iCqexr_0X8iiREM_bWJnXHhTDIvLos7o32hA7Qv2_bG7rxll9owbSWMijeF8Q/s782/Bob%20Dolgan%20by%20Kristin%20Sanders.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="708" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5RE5ix4PztkR7757cU_1FT0rP8T4n7P8CMDO-MzeHzUM2WcmaF1GcJrQTwpHwEWROQlP-PHSOKcZHU5Fwiy7sOVEu5-RfRBWywd2vpxlp_wG1ZBt5bho_iCqexr_0X8iiREM_bWJnXHhTDIvLos7o32hA7Qv2_bG7rxll9owbSWMijeF8Q/w181-h200/Bob%20Dolgan%20by%20Kristin%20Sanders.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob Dolgan</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial;">Turns out the book reference
was to Bob’s father, a retired sportswriter for </span><i style="color: #242424; font-family: arial;">The Plain Dealer</i><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial;"> in
Cleveland. He is credited with giving ace pitcher “Sudden Sam” McDowell his excellent
nickname and, Bob Jr. told me, attended the ’48 World Series as a fan. Talk
about credentials! The Indians won that Series and haven’t won the Fall Classic
since, no thanks to the 2016 Cubs.</span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This year, their first as
the Guardians, the team surpassed expectations and gave fans an all-too-brief
thrill ride in the postseason. Damn Yankees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">OK, calming down and
working my way back to birding now. After graduating from Ohio’s Kenyon College,
the younger Bob, now 47, followed his dad into journalism, including a stint
with the <i>Richmond Times-Dispatch</i>. He moved to Chicago in 2001, shifted to
public relations, and more recently earned a Northwestern MBA. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2018, feeling burned
out and looking for a change, Bob did what any sensible person would do. He
quit his job and went birding. A lot. Like 150 times during the winter of
2018-19.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdnWfhj00U3Z8emT8OpmKW6Q8A32zGdXZLfsiJSJyLsolU97xKTeYuT59uAVXqrdp1V7VISrfm-kFpJ7_VxN1qCejgzpJONCRTLxoFw5ezjtT60gTWfK4haLvhRV3By8zCHLEdR1VFHV0UVcPyIEC39XOh-lgMErAzzSt4mBpgDWMwx_RPw/s903/Monty%20&%20Rose%20by%20Tamima%20Itani.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="903" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdnWfhj00U3Z8emT8OpmKW6Q8A32zGdXZLfsiJSJyLsolU97xKTeYuT59uAVXqrdp1V7VISrfm-kFpJ7_VxN1qCejgzpJONCRTLxoFw5ezjtT60gTWfK4haLvhRV3By8zCHLEdR1VFHV0UVcPyIEC39XOh-lgMErAzzSt4mBpgDWMwx_RPw/s320/Monty%20&%20Rose%20by%20Tamima%20Itani.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monty and Rose by Tamima Itani</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“It was therapeutic in a
way,” he said. “Birding helped me think about what I wanted to do next.”</span></span><p></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial;">At least for the short
term, two little birds on a busy Chicago beach helped answer the question. Bob
would tell and preserve their remarkable story on film.</span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial;">The endangered piping
plovers known as Monty and Rose nested on Montrose Beach for three straight years
starting in 2019. Bob’s two short documentaries about them received widespread
acclaim and brought needed attention to the issues of bird conservation and
habitat management in a high-traffic urban setting.</span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In October, Bob visited
the DuPage Birding Club to show and discuss his latest film, The Magic Stump.
It’s a 20-minute piece about some special birds and dedicated birders in Coles
County, about 50 miles south of Champaign. We learn how a solitary tree stump
in a farm field attracts a remarkable variety of wintering raptors. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqzDbN_X6P8VgWKsZuUx30aws1ghWNYEJH95nf1RRq51s64_Ai58IZvvYaFCrVoc79-q80-vwzoajg2jgD8DxFjvlzySmFS2AlaK3qYLYW1ZjcmgyCTEPvl4B2r_75JpfCqHORJlhIh5dY8rkhXhKRvYXA2dcDlsFwPidACnansRB2dQwVA/s1440/Stump%20horizontal%20by%20Bob%20Dolgan.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqzDbN_X6P8VgWKsZuUx30aws1ghWNYEJH95nf1RRq51s64_Ai58IZvvYaFCrVoc79-q80-vwzoajg2jgD8DxFjvlzySmFS2AlaK3qYLYW1ZjcmgyCTEPvl4B2r_75JpfCqHORJlhIh5dY8rkhXhKRvYXA2dcDlsFwPidACnansRB2dQwVA/w400-h225/Stump%20horizontal%20by%20Bob%20Dolgan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stump that started it all. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The stump became a thing
shortly after a prairie falcon—a species rarely seen east of the Mississippi River—was found close by in 2010. Tyler Funk, the spotter, was fascinated. Over
time, he confirmed that the falcon, and later a second bird, returned to the
same place, year after year, always in winter. His observations appeared in <i>Meadowlark</i>,
the journal of the Illinois Ornithological Society, and inspired The Magic
Stump.</span></span><p></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial;">Bob Dolgan made six
trips to Coles County to capture the magic, but a trail cam installed by Funk proved
more efficient. Besides the prairie falcons, a partial list of birds caught on
camera includes gyrfalcon, northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, kestrel, merlin,
short-eared owl, and snowy owl. At least 10 species of raptor have visited the
gnarly stump, once a thriving Osage orange.</span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Magic Stump is great
storytelling without many words. Birders will appreciate some familiar themes:
be curious, expect the unexpected, and bird your local patch like you own it.
Funk and fellow birders Ron Bradley and David Mott patrolled their agricultural
“backyard” relentlessly, sometimes in frigid conditions. All three appear in
the film. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Some people may come
away from the film with the impression that it’s easy to find the birds of the
stump, and that’s just not the case,” Bob said. “The stump is a half-mile from
the nearest road, and it took the guys in the film a lot of years to record so
many sightings.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can watch a teaser
video at themagicstump.com and see a schedule of upcoming screenings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bob is back to work, but
on his own terms. He founded Turnstone Strategies in 2018, a communications
consulting firm with a focus on nonprofit clients. His bird films are Turnstone
branded but not intended to be money makers. Making them is just something he
enjoys. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“In putting together the
story, it’s really about the joy of birding and how even our ordinary
surroundings can have a bit of mystery and magic to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In September, Bob
received an award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting from Chicago
Audubon Society. CAS cited his role in promoting bird conservation, educating
the public, and shining a light on the work of local activists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #242424;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></span></i></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-3928709575065654792022-09-21T09:07:00.000-05:002022-09-21T09:07:09.695-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKseKkeAwTTRCWTy5XG8o7LunwkhMjdVQQohSt3y6swSggylMqJAGh3XPrssS43Vp0S4MlrNHlrzyZuunYA89cPnxTgVZKvrVbIq35pzon8-y2r5VkrJ8lA-jWW055JKxDvFdcEinB4HTvJY3AGk23y7eEH_bIciAxYgObQmXQUst0HfpSeg/s3599/Henslow's%20Sparrow%20by%20Jackie%20Bowman.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3599" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKseKkeAwTTRCWTy5XG8o7LunwkhMjdVQQohSt3y6swSggylMqJAGh3XPrssS43Vp0S4MlrNHlrzyZuunYA89cPnxTgVZKvrVbIq35pzon8-y2r5VkrJ8lA-jWW055JKxDvFdcEinB4HTvJY3AGk23y7eEH_bIciAxYgObQmXQUst0HfpSeg/w400-h266/Henslow's%20Sparrow%20by%20Jackie%20Bowman.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northeastern Illinois is a stronghold for Henslow's Sparrow, <br />a grassland species in decline nationally. Photo by Jackie Bowman.</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Birds savor our ample green
space</span></b></div><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Study: Chicago region’s protected lands offer critical
habitat for nesting species</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 9-21-22)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Remember when dead bugs would plaster your car’s windshield
and front bumper during summer road trips? I also recall swarms of flying pests
around our porch lights, and a lot more fireflies flashing in the yard. More
butterflies, too.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Insect populations are crashing, another sign of our troubled
ecological times. Birds need those bugs, of course, which is one of many
reasons why their populations are falling as well. Other downward drivers
include climate change, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and building
collisions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The journal “Annual Review of Environment and Resources,”
published in May, reported that 48 percent of bird species worldwide are known
or suspected to be experiencing population declines. Only 6 percent are showing
gains, and 39 percent are stable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We all remember the bombshell dropped by the journal
“Science” in 2019: 3 billion birds lost in the last 50 years, translating to
30% fewer birds overall. It’s noticeable, in the field and in our backyards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birds are struggling, no doubt, but not all of them, and not
in all places. Some good news emerged in June courtesy of the Bird Conservation
Network (BCN), a coalition of 21 conservation organizations serving the Chicago
region.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Breeding Bird Trends in the Chicago Region 1999-2020” documents
that some local nesters, previously in decline, are stabilizing or growing in
numbers. Bellwether species such as Henslow’s sparrow (up 3.4% per year) and
red-headed woodpecker (3.3%), for example, are gaining ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The BCN report, based on 22 years of bird survey data, updates
the status of species that raise families in natural areas within six counties:
Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and Will. Analysis was based on 30,000 bird
census surveys conducted by volunteer birders under the BCN Survey monitoring
program. The surveys occur in target habitats (grassland, shrubland, wetland
and woodland) during June and early July, prime nesting season in northeastern
Illinois. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh_9gas40h9wZTgvIKocljGENXitfnHt08ToKnwX2Qwts6MsZTiUyAkhLGh_klJuSohhGdaauJw5XOWdGCcwiV-2nqZgZ0TDfMEcaJePJNtVUenMpFlPJQB867XpxCsB8b3aokxKCNTXfX33flEEEQLrGyaEa-xbSSjxlKeJRGYvXHVoGXw/s1940/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20by%20Harv%20Meyers.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1940" data-original-width="1549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh_9gas40h9wZTgvIKocljGENXitfnHt08ToKnwX2Qwts6MsZTiUyAkhLGh_klJuSohhGdaauJw5XOWdGCcwiV-2nqZgZ0TDfMEcaJePJNtVUenMpFlPJQB867XpxCsB8b3aokxKCNTXfX33flEEEQLrGyaEa-xbSSjxlKeJRGYvXHVoGXw/s320/Red-headed%20Woodpecker%20by%20Harv%20Meyers.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outlook for Red-headed Woodpecker has improved,<br />thanks to effective land management. Restoration of<br /> open oak woodland and savannah habitat is <br />helping the species. Photo by Harv Meyers.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Data collected for 104 species reveal that 56% are steady or
increasing in the region versus 37% for the rest of Illinois.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“People in Chicagoland tend to forget how unique it is that
we have so many green spaces concentrated in the area,” said Eric Secker, BCN president.
“We found that a lot of birds in Chicago are doing better than the rest of the
state and elsewhere in the nation because we have so much land being actively
managed and restored.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The protected lands—about 220,000 acres of county forest
preserves municipal nature preserves and state parks—in northeastern Illinois
are critical to the health of our nesting birds. In addition, these
non-agricultural landscapes provide vital stopover habitat for migrating birds
on their way to breeding grounds farther north. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Effective habitat management is complex business, and not a
perfect science. Practices aimed at helping one species may be detrimental to
another. Everything is connected. Further, we don’t always know why the
population of a given species is up, down or holding steady. Trends for some birds,
especially secretive ones, are poorly known.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">BCN’s survey work helps set priorities by identifying the
species most in need of assistance. Private and public land managers use the information
to guide their conservation efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Grassland birds are high priority, which makes the upbeat
news about Henslow’s sparrow—and dickcissel, up 5.5% per year—a cause for
celebration. These species benefit from open landscapes like Springbrook
Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For the nondescript Henslow’s, whose population is declining
nationally, it’s no stretch to say that northeastern Illinois is a region of global
importance. Only an estimated 410,000 remain in the world, according to BCN. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">BCN’s analysis, however, shows that populations of other
grassland specialists are falling, with bobolink, grasshopper sparrow and
savannah sparrow each down about 3%.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birders in search of northern mockingbird and pileated
woodpecker—uncommon species in these parts—are facing slightly better odds. Both
species are trending up. In the case of mockers, geographic range expansion is
a factor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can see all the data for yourself, organized by habitat,
at bcnbirds.org. The trends are eye-opening, and BCN rightly expects them to be
a catalyst for action. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Birds can be good indicators of the overall quality of the
habitat in general,” said Secker. “It’s important to remember there are lots of
areas that continue to be developed and under threat."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></i></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-29028034535791777602022-08-11T08:59:00.000-05:002022-08-11T08:59:02.603-05:00<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeuY0TRKA0iVpX9zsa9DZtGJDwir4Dj6CvvX2scEhk7j5E7ngIU7x6SWlEmQBM4NvzWt4eCd1TX7tWSX-yyDcmhqgBIKwA8Qy97i85ynAofx3UhyXIPaAJxbeTqLgH5rNmkUb89AQAHE-ELP1byKleBQuwVQC4Y8jqqD3aIhI6oZ3bvWNmA/s4288/Phone%20screen%20w%20bird%20list%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeuY0TRKA0iVpX9zsa9DZtGJDwir4Dj6CvvX2scEhk7j5E7ngIU7x6SWlEmQBM4NvzWt4eCd1TX7tWSX-yyDcmhqgBIKwA8Qy97i85ynAofx3UhyXIPaAJxbeTqLgH5rNmkUb89AQAHE-ELP1byKleBQuwVQC4Y8jqqD3aIhI6oZ3bvWNmA/s320/Phone%20screen%20w%20bird%20list%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornell's Merlin Bird ID app is a very good listener.</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s not magic, it’s Merlin</span></span></b><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The app’s Sound ID feature is changing how we go birding—and
likely growing the hobby<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 8-11-22)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">If the party involves technology, I usually arrive late. But
I’m there now and having a wonderful time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">With my new friend, Merlin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You know those smartphone apps that tell you what song is
playing? Merlin is like that, only for birds. I finally added it to my phone in
May. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Cornell Lab of Ornithology introduced the Merlin Bird ID
app in 2014. It’s one of several apps that can identify birds based on color,
size, location, and time of year. Upload a photo or just describe the bird and Merlin
will put a name on it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The game-changer, though, came in June 2021 when Cornell added
real-time sound identification capability. Overnight, Merlin became a must-have
for birders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Merlin Project Manager Drew Weber told me the app has received
about two million downloads since the launch of Sound ID. Merlin has around 8.5
million downloads in total. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We should all send a thank you note to Cornell—and to birders
from all over the world who share what they see and hear in the field. The
“magic” behind Merlin is the application of machine learning technology to the lab’s
immense dataset of bird sightings and photos submitted by birders via eBird (another
Cornell invention) and audio recordings supplied to the lab’s Macaulay Library.
Cornell collaborated with experts in computer vision and artificial
intelligence to bring Merlin to our phones.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8W6a-Rv5KPG3r2f1HiNZ6T5EN5tYiCnFPtpqYs8mQkyz2rHeE0E3tHkaozsH_kFEWSMp3rHE5RMJjiZvVL3lnw7RuSFDB8LulHTLRNKhAb6P7Gg5YsgQ-G6tXnOCSEDb-_7ilQAiqvR1bC6sV_8Pu1cWYBod7k-IqzrQo9aIogi_KVHkYA/s1800/American%20Redstart%20by%20Jackie%20Bowman.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8W6a-Rv5KPG3r2f1HiNZ6T5EN5tYiCnFPtpqYs8mQkyz2rHeE0E3tHkaozsH_kFEWSMp3rHE5RMJjiZvVL3lnw7RuSFDB8LulHTLRNKhAb6P7Gg5YsgQ-G6tXnOCSEDb-_7ilQAiqvR1bC6sV_8Pu1cWYBod7k-IqzrQo9aIogi_KVHkYA/s320/American%20Redstart%20by%20Jackie%20Bowman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart by Jackie Bowman</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Try the app (it’s free) and you will understand its appeal.
The Sound ID feature is addictive, and rapidly changing how we bird.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was leading a walk at Cantigny recently during which three
or four birders were using Merlin. With the app in listening mode, their phones
displayed a constantly updating list of birds. We used the information like
clues to guide our search.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For birders with hearing loss, Merlin is a godsend. But even
those blessed with perfect hearing may lack confidence in identifying birds by
sound alone—a trained skill we call “ear birding.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some bird songs are loud and easy to learn, like those of
the blue jay, cardinal, and house wren. Most birders would not need Merlin to
identify them. But when a half dozen or more species are all chirping, chipping,
and whistling at the same time, at various distances, at different frequencies
and volumes, Merlin can sort it all out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes a single bird might have you stumped. Never fear,
Merlin to the rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In June, I was hiking at Devil’s Lake State Park in
Wisconsin and kept hearing some faint call notes. A bird seemed to be following
me, but I couldn’t find it in the trees. Then I remembered Merlin. I pulled out
my phone and activated Sound ID. Within 10 seconds the app picked up American
redstart, and minutes later a dazzling black and orange male finally revealed
itself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s amazing how much easier it is to find a bird when you
know what to look for! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq8W7ialnOfWxmBEqafH9spQX1h2DjO3wzQg9fKNd63hmMyS3m81AgEqYYdeXWUyq5F177hC-pBVQQuBjAhkM_7WiGM5CeRF3BwfDEYt2NKcmSMBMFvOVqg5sp5zy5UIWDQt5chfB9JejuiiLQDpPhYGA-zQ_XWaJ3tQiOyp1G4EF-AKuFg/s3719/Baltimore%20Oriole%20by%20Linda%20Petersen.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="3719" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq8W7ialnOfWxmBEqafH9spQX1h2DjO3wzQg9fKNd63hmMyS3m81AgEqYYdeXWUyq5F177hC-pBVQQuBjAhkM_7WiGM5CeRF3BwfDEYt2NKcmSMBMFvOVqg5sp5zy5UIWDQt5chfB9JejuiiLQDpPhYGA-zQ_XWaJ3tQiOyp1G4EF-AKuFg/s320/Baltimore%20Oriole%20by%20Linda%20Petersen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole by Linda Petersen</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Merlin isn’t perfect, though. The app offers “best matches” based
on the input it receives. On that Cantigny walk we all heard a loud oriole-like
song that sounded a bit different. Merlin told us a tufted titmouse was present—a
strong candidate for Bird of the Day! After a brief chase, however, we tracked
down the true singer, a Baltimore oriole. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Species with highly variable songs can fool Merlin, just
like they fool humans. (No question, the birds love doing this.) But the app never
stays down at our level for long. It usually nails the ID.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birding is easier with Merlin, which makes the hobby more
accessible. Cornell’s Weber said the app’s goal is to demystify identification,
so that anyone can ID the birds around them. Tech-savvy young people might be
drawn to it especially. Merlin adds a coolness factor to birding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">With Sound ID, birders of all ages and skill levels have a superpower
at their fingertips. Those rare birders who can identify any bird by sound without
a device will become rarer still—ear birding may become a lost art. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I do have mixed emotions about smart phones in the field. Birding
is a chance to be off-line from technology and most of us need that. It’s also quite
satisfying to find and identify an uncommon bird on your own, completely
unaided. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My advice is to download Merlin and use Sound ID as much or
as little as you wish. Over time you will figure out what degree of use feels
right. Many birders apply it to confirm and document their IDs. Merlin records
as it listens, providing an audio record for later review. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am trying hard to use Merlin only as a back-up for ID
purposes, listening with my “real ears” as much as possible. With the app constantly
on, I’ll spend too much time looking down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s called birdwatching for a reason. <i>Seeing</i> birds
is still the main point.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-87610054191859970242022-06-05T13:31:00.021-05:002022-07-13T10:16:35.740-05:00<br /><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RosPrRbMndDQ0-Dh8Fs4Bh1PHbdcjXQtDlEFJX8BG-p7DgztD_wdx_O3JGaDOIKmzRZwC_UPKYB0NF2ajKfdHAaxQ0QZeqYYmZsRPrFjMTa67X-fx1-xj5FFLiUlQtZVY6QSzhK8H-6X2JeN9xKivnKrZWYWohuHg-w7YoJV_gdf0tLI8A/s4098/Great%20Blue%20Herons%20courtesy%20of%20Forest%20Preserve%20District%20of%20DuPage%20County.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="4098" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RosPrRbMndDQ0-Dh8Fs4Bh1PHbdcjXQtDlEFJX8BG-p7DgztD_wdx_O3JGaDOIKmzRZwC_UPKYB0NF2ajKfdHAaxQ0QZeqYYmZsRPrFjMTa67X-fx1-xj5FFLiUlQtZVY6QSzhK8H-6X2JeN9xKivnKrZWYWohuHg-w7YoJV_gdf0tLI8A/w400-h246/Great%20Blue%20Herons%20courtesy%20of%20Forest%20Preserve%20District%20of%20DuPage%20County.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By nesting in colonies, usually in bare trees above marshy areas, herons gain<br /> protection from predators. Photo by Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.</td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Rookery rebound</b><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 7-1-22)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When leading a bird walk, I’m secretly grateful whenever a great blue heron comes into view. Lurking on the edge of a pond, or rowing across the sky, a “GBH” always makes an impression. It’s a big, majestic bird that everyone in the group gets to experience—a welcome respite from the challenge of spotting little birds in leafy trees.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial;">For kids, especially, bigger is
better. As a boy, I loved when great blues glided low over our suburban Ohio
neighborhood, preparing to land on the nearby golf course. They looked huge and
prehistoric. I’d shout out “Crane!” to anybody listening.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #0e101a;">Yeah, not proud of that, but I
was 10. Butterflies and moths occupied my time in those days.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fortunately, my curiosity about
birds (and their correct names) took off later in life and continues today.
This led me to a drop-in program called Heron Rookery Rendezvous—a “pop up”
viewing opportunity in late March offered by the Forest Preserve District of
DuPage County.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A great blue heron nesting colony—called
a rookery or heronry—is located just west of the District’s headquarters
building in Wheaton, in the Danada Forest Preserve. You can easily see it from
the turf racetrack where 1965 Kentucky Derby winner Lucky Debonair once
trained.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spotting scopes were set up, but
even without them, the view was excellent. We counted 20 stick nests high in
the bare cottonwood trees, some still under construction.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The breeding season had just
begun, with courtship behavior and mating on full display. A few herons were
settled down on nests but were probably not incubating eggs just yet.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aKdcBWxIHtSKx_Cfpx0fQ408zmImOm7D4jaJoZFEYfvTFGBvyU8hfM7efh4hnikSULMhj7eMvofayeNLyCUrf1Tlrp3I0CO9tCEXcWCDxscutCcMPBYHWCnscSGsx0cwJ01xgCqmpSKryc40HAQJcryVcmgv8Vzlce_udbYUlLudxbUM5w/s3599/GBH%20by%20Christian%20Goers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3599" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aKdcBWxIHtSKx_Cfpx0fQ408zmImOm7D4jaJoZFEYfvTFGBvyU8hfM7efh4hnikSULMhj7eMvofayeNLyCUrf1Tlrp3I0CO9tCEXcWCDxscutCcMPBYHWCnscSGsx0cwJ01xgCqmpSKryc40HAQJcryVcmgv8Vzlce_udbYUlLudxbUM5w/s320/GBH%20by%20Christian%20Goers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Great Blue Herons prefer solitude when they feed, which can<br /> take place miles from the rookery. Photo by Christian Goers.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the District naturalists
shared their knowledge, I quickly realized how little I really knew about our
largest commonly seen bird. My scribbled nuggets piled up fast:</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0e101a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great
blue herons usually feed alone, and they do so up to six miles away from
the bustling rookery. Feeding is their “me time.”</span></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0e101a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like
owls, the herons regurgitate pellets of indigestible materials, such as
fish and frog bones.</span></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0e101a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Herons
possess special equipment just for preening—a “comb toe” on each foot and
three patches of powder-down feathers.</span></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0e101a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nesting
in large, noisy groups is for safety. Crows, great-horned owls, red-tailed
hawks, and raccoons are common predators.</span></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #0e101a; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
great blue is among 65 heron species worldwide, and one of six found
regularly in northern Illinois.</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">My learnings included a new
appreciation for the transitory nature of rookeries. They come and go. The one
at Danada peaked in 2008 with 200 nests. By 2017, there were none.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">High winds can destroy a
heronry. The nests are vulnerable, and so are the trees that hold them. Great
blue herons prefer dead or dying trees in marshy areas. The leafless trees,
already in decline, are further weakened by the acidic guano raining down from
above. </span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Land development and human
disturbance are the greatest threats. You might recall the dust-up in 2014 when
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra considered buying a 58-acre site near the Danada
heronry to build a summer concert venue, an idea widely opposed by conservationists.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The CSO plan never materialized,
and yet the great blue herons still moved away. Now they are back, continuing a
rebuild that began with a modest five nests in 2018, according to Forest
Preserve ecologist Brian Kraskiewicz. </span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ebb and flow of the Danada
heronry is a curious thing—an inspiring story of avian resilience in plain
view.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back home in Indiana</span></b><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I suppose curiosity also played
a part in my return to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival in May. What would it
feel like, I wondered, after three years away? The pandemic wiped out the 2020
festival, and the 2021 edition employed a hybrid format. This year was back to
normal, and normal at this event is very, very good.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And it was—excellent birding and
camaraderie in ideal weather. I especially enjoyed Trail 2 inside Indiana Dunes
State Park, with its newly opened boardwalk. That hike alone was worth the
75-mile drive to Chesterton.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oBrDhsx7X4-JW0uVksC_plPl-GzEw0Am0bRuvNgFG3ZkGngvNAnfya1Dq0rZwCma0a95KGBLogcJeZ9vUQU5_HagubuEUZPtXPA8J6bAIf1UYk6dfA4ip2TrL3KQAJQO75QV-0Rgee1wbQOC886EvpWrqsD6mrCDS_SsZxhSuvKeptP7MQ/s4092/Festival%20Birders%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter%20(1).JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="4092" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oBrDhsx7X4-JW0uVksC_plPl-GzEw0Am0bRuvNgFG3ZkGngvNAnfya1Dq0rZwCma0a95KGBLogcJeZ9vUQU5_HagubuEUZPtXPA8J6bAIf1UYk6dfA4ip2TrL3KQAJQO75QV-0Rgee1wbQOC886EvpWrqsD6mrCDS_SsZxhSuvKeptP7MQ/s320/Festival%20Birders%20by%20Jeff%20Reiter%20(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, hosted by Indiana Audubon, <br />succeeds by making birders of all ability levels feel welcome.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0e101a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The festival’s bird list over
five days totaled 207 species. Best of all were the colorful warblers, tanagers,
and other spring migrants that light up the dunes every year. Keynote speaker
David Lindo, “The Urban Birder,” rocked the Saturday night gathering.</span><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kudos to Indiana Audubon for
staging another winner. This was the festival’s eighth year and the biggest one
yet with 650 registered birders. I can say with confidence that everybody who
wished to see a cerulean warbler saw at least one and a whole lot more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p><p></p></div>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-87516746203520457902022-04-26T20:20:00.008-05:002022-04-28T08:30:38.263-05:00<p><b><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP24u0OJv4DbcUIXTvcpfTYzx24wXrFeSzmoeCU705jGOxocqTz1Z62S2trH2rgEO29H9peya2gSewc3oxweUT2vHOJ4WCAk0gRXO3bQf44Jzxg1fES9Qg0cxq6nF8lq7wkCOUg8LHhW0fky5K0V-4MclFMxamdh_7Mbya52iroklEKvH_lg/s1280/Common%20Loon%20by%20Steve%20Huggins.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP24u0OJv4DbcUIXTvcpfTYzx24wXrFeSzmoeCU705jGOxocqTz1Z62S2trH2rgEO29H9peya2gSewc3oxweUT2vHOJ4WCAk0gRXO3bQf44Jzxg1fES9Qg0cxq6nF8lq7wkCOUg8LHhW0fky5K0V-4MclFMxamdh_7Mbya52iroklEKvH_lg/w400-h266/Common%20Loon%20by%20Steve%20Huggins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From tip to tip, the Common Loon, or "Great Northern Diver," is perfectly <br />equipped for underwater fishing. Photo by Steve Huggins</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looney times in Lake County</span></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 4-28-22)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This column has a soundtrack, and you might know the one. Imagine
yourself in the North Woods, on a summer night, next to clear, quiet lake. Now
listen for the haunting calls of a common loon, piercing the darkness. That’s
it, that’s what I’m hearing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Recently I was thrilled to hear those same yodels and wails
just 50 miles from my Glen Ellyn doorstep. I was in Lake County for my first
Loonapaloonza.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, it’s a thing, searching for common loons on the
county’s vast network of inland lakes. Late March and early April are best,
when loons stop here on their way to northern breeding grounds. Large lakes in
neighboring counties may host a loon or two, but the Chain O’Lakes region is the
migration epicenter for Northeast Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHOkj72lWfw4zkaSWUzprDxCqp70jMmCRfyYKWyAM0CqirIEJdw8j7jWykYGOU6uQDu3Jn1q98wqyqDsUghtOwPH7GKeYVmnFcmJ0z9VnhnDi6f1uiwrFNhvURvHHlpC_-eOPV2nuW2GgDCO2BnX4YEHW-ybla49cDbMVtrgzIwKdXNDshQ/s2888/David%20Johnson%20with%20scope%20courtesy%20of%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="2888" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHOkj72lWfw4zkaSWUzprDxCqp70jMmCRfyYKWyAM0CqirIEJdw8j7jWykYGOU6uQDu3Jn1q98wqyqDsUghtOwPH7GKeYVmnFcmJ0z9VnhnDi6f1uiwrFNhvURvHHlpC_-eOPV2nuW2GgDCO2BnX4YEHW-ybla49cDbMVtrgzIwKdXNDshQ/w320-h161/David%20Johnson%20with%20scope%20courtesy%20of%20Jeff%20Reiter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Even fluky April snow showers couldn’t erase the Loon Ranger’s<br /> smile. David Johnson’s fascination with loons began 50 years<br /> ago. “They are the first birds in my old field guides, and they<br /> have a lot of magic about them,” he said.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">David B. Johnson, from Buffalo Grove, knows all the best
places to look. He’s been leading loon tours since 1997, for the both the
Evanston North Shore Bird Club and the Illinois Ornithological Society (IOS). David
conjured up Loonapaloonza, an annual IOS event, in 2016—yet another way to
share his passion for loons with others.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I’m addicted to loon watching,” David admits. It started in
the early 1970s when he was nature director at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation in
northern Wisconsin. Hearing the loons on moonlit nights from his tent cabin next
to Spring Lake hooked him for life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My day with the Loon Ranger and seven other birders began at
Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, followed by stop just north at Winthrop
Harbor. In both places, we scanned Lake Michigan for red-throated loon, a rare
species in these parts. We didn’t see any, but it was worth a shot. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two days before, David surveyed 25 lakes on a full-day binge
with fellow loonatic Karen Lund. They tallied 505 common loons across Lake and
McHenry Counties, the third-highest total ever for their annual Chain O’Lakes
Spring Loon Count. As our car caravan headed west toward Antioch, we felt
confident that excellent looning was ahead.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvG_rEiskJwiLWydaVZxMTatUcpFNgwOiXZlVmC3c9RUrZ7Ehpk2vAkAZM9WizFeyEXMW-PoUQZt2HFMBwZcCfkCo_PcNoHwm-UKdfo-orVkYQkmB4h4NVVGW_U8ABTYveTZXkwqzcxEqeuQLtGtCT8U4mcorlxNv4lUIA2ajxEAobLLDWg/s1280/Common%20Loon%20with%20Mallards%20by%20Steve%20Huggins.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvG_rEiskJwiLWydaVZxMTatUcpFNgwOiXZlVmC3c9RUrZ7Ehpk2vAkAZM9WizFeyEXMW-PoUQZt2HFMBwZcCfkCo_PcNoHwm-UKdfo-orVkYQkmB4h4NVVGW_U8ABTYveTZXkwqzcxEqeuQLtGtCT8U4mcorlxNv4lUIA2ajxEAobLLDWg/s320/Common%20Loon%20with%20Mallards%20by%20Steve%20Huggins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Red eyes, distinctive feathering and eerie vocalizations add to the <br />common loon’s charm. The species is not closely related to <br />mallards and other ducks. Photo by Steve Huggins<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, almost excellent. Mother Nature threw us an
early-April curve, delivering rain, sleet, and eventually heavy snow flurries. The
weather was manageable but more challenging with each passing hour.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our first stop, Channel Lake, yielded 65 common loons and more
than 200 American white pelicans. The birds were scattered throughout the lake
and some, especially pelicans, were close to shore. Most of the loons were
farther out so David’s Leica spotting scope was essential for viewing our red-eyed
quarry up close. The Loon Ranger is always prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Moving on to other lakes, our success declined in proportion
to the visibility. We just couldn’t see much through the snow and fog. But now
and again we’d hear those magical calls of the wild. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">David’s trained ears can distinguish the four basic loon
calls: hoot, tremolo, wail and yodel. The last two are classics—sounds we know
from summer vacations up north, and from Hollywood movie soundtracks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The looney projections seemed especially haunting during our
stop at Fox Lake, next to the shuttered Mineola Hotel. Built in 1884, the landmark
looks ideal for a horror movie, or at least a Scooby Doo episode. As we
surveyed the foggy lake, the creepy hotel hovered behind us like a giant gray
ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVOpL2NGOhZ9aALktsX3wNR5s74Z9jEefR6xEE63serGU7HOCKitdn7FiyUv-4j_B1KhXoPqXv3lKW8tpWa2Y4SZ6pwH3_op3Xr-fropknzTO36wTVDanhbbXBVCHlQnHuasewzM_DF2kgS6FxI7iFpKWW-rGshmUUl1MArIlxkGy3CBt_g/s3423/Loonapaloonza%20group%20photo.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2347" data-original-width="3423" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVOpL2NGOhZ9aALktsX3wNR5s74Z9jEefR6xEE63serGU7HOCKitdn7FiyUv-4j_B1KhXoPqXv3lKW8tpWa2Y4SZ6pwH3_op3Xr-fropknzTO36wTVDanhbbXBVCHlQnHuasewzM_DF2kgS6FxI7iFpKWW-rGshmUUl1MArIlxkGy3CBt_g/w400-h274/Loonapaloonza%20group%20photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The small but hardy 2022 Loonapaloonza team was joined by a wooden friend.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">We’d just come from another point on Fox Lake, Columbia Bay,
where we took the official 2022 Loonapaloonza group photo in a snow squall. For
a prop, I retrieved a common loon decoy I’d brought along from home—a fitting
mascot for the day, carved and painted by my late father. Young birders Harper
and Harrison held it proudly in the front row.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The decoy joined us for lunch at Looney’s Pub in Antioch,
resting amid our coffee cups. The server, Stacy, got a kick out of it—or maybe
it was the clientele. The burgers were first rate—a Bleu Loon for me and a
Looney Burger for David, which I suspect he’d ordered before. The pub is a
traditional stop on his annual tour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was tempting to call it a day after lunch, but three of
us pressed on. East and West Loon Lakes were just down the road, where we heard
loons calling through the snowfall. One performed a beachfront fly-by, its
heavy body pulling large, paddled feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon the Chain O’Lakes visitors will be off to their summer
homes in northern Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canada. But for a few
weeks every spring, what a joy (and opportunity) it is to see and hear them in Illinois.
I fully understand the Loon Ranger’s fascination with the species.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happily, the common loon population is stable or increasing.
For more information, including a migratory range map and amazing loon facts, check
out the All About Birds website of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p><p></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-45153052500949906052022-03-11T06:17:00.001-06:002022-03-11T06:17:20.597-06:00<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihw4NJbBiLufx1jZ4vnB6VEl0oh7jqgocvTbCAP8yZleNQZFIuUsXV8t7HbE4k3HS2yccILwLMSgKOrPDPNcA2-p322TWdQAJwxxHel_kYwqwp7L7PKHnxAxZij8iHu1ZVyTCjTWSxC3-8Qmvzv0sqqjHNFk9Ov5f-GJRPd_vpV0eDodMfqA=s4121" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="4121" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihw4NJbBiLufx1jZ4vnB6VEl0oh7jqgocvTbCAP8yZleNQZFIuUsXV8t7HbE4k3HS2yccILwLMSgKOrPDPNcA2-p322TWdQAJwxxHel_kYwqwp7L7PKHnxAxZij8iHu1ZVyTCjTWSxC3-8Qmvzv0sqqjHNFk9Ov5f-GJRPd_vpV0eDodMfqA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great-tailed Grackle by Jake Cvetas</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chasing the big grackle</span></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">A shiny blackbird with a very long tail gave area birders
a thrill this winter<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 3-11-22)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Winter is a slower time for birding. There isn’t as much to
see. So, when rare birds pay a visit, they get a royal welcome. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thankfully, birders with cabin fever had some interesting
options as we rolled into 2022. A Townsend’s solitaire at Moraine Hills State
Park in McHenry County drew our attention in January, followed by another Townsend’s
in Kane, at Hampshire Forest Preserve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Several snowy owls posted up along the Chicago lakefront,
and another appeared at DuPage Airport in West Chicago. The latter was a new
tick on the county list for some observers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some lucky watchers enjoyed special visitors without leaving
home. Common redpolls and white-winged crossbills invaded the region this
winter, many congregating at backyard feeders and atop seed-rich conifers. In a
typical winter we see few (if any) of these birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet another winter oddity, and the focus of today’s column, was
a great-tailed grackle in Monee. Doug Stotz, senior conservation ecologist at
Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, discovered the bird, a native of the
southern Great Plains and Southwest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Monee Miracle, still present in late February, was a convenient
rarity, making itself at home just off an I-57 exit ramp. If it’s not at Thorntons
gas station, the chat rooms said, check the nearby Amazon warehouse, or the
Pilot Truck Stop across the interstate. Day after day, dozens of birders followed
the drill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birdwatchers love a good stakeout, and this one offered
excellent odds of success. The grackle’s general location was reliable, confined,
and searchable from inside a warm car. This wasn’t a little gray bird in the
woods, or an obscure gull standing on a frozen lake among 100 look-alikes. Instead,
the target was a large blackbird with a massive caboose and a thing for salty
snacks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I went to Monee on January 30, two weeks after Stotz’s exciting
find. The “big grackle,” as birders were calling it, had been reported the day
before, so I wasn’t too worried about striking out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But there’s a downside to being late to a stakeout: you
might be the only birder present, potentially adding time and stress to the
search. Locating the quarry is a snap when you arrive on the scene and spot a cluster
of humans looking through binoculars and spotting scopes. Find the birders and
you usually find the bird.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In any case, off I went to Monee, a 48-mile drive from Glen
Ellyn in light Sunday traffic. First stop: Thorntons. Nothing but European starlings.
The latter, I knew from reports, were buddies with the great-tailed grackle,
whose tail alone is longer than they are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next stop: Amazon Fulfillment Center, visible just down the
road. My strategy was simple, drive around the parking lot and find the
grackle. Once again, plenty of starlings, and worse: annoying speed bumps about
every 25 feet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m thinking, <i>this could get old really fast.</i> The
parking lot was busy and huge, with Amazonians coming and going. I detected no
other cruising birders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thankfully, after 15 minutes, the big grackle appeared. Wow,
that tail! I watched it land on a light fixture mounted on the east wall of the
warehouse. It was eating something orange. For a bird far out of range, in a
cold Chicago winter, it’s about survival. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The scene reminded me of a locally famous bird on the
southeast side of Chicago—a laughing gull/ring-billed gull hybrid that dined regularly
in a KFC parking lot in 2004 and for years thereafter. You could look it up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiobYfta9gWWRdHZ8hlX96r1-XyMr1UXotgMk81mfMefje9hYJYHv4rx0bdmNFUwMwzXr1fycGHpUTudwKZM68EI97lbqSK2m0ruJs4BPT8KTw_4ltZXXu-JldNaiQGPLtlxiKnnLrsWN42rpgu5_yhG7OtRTU09VLEeYvdpcq9Lx64PSn8Q=s2511" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="2511" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiobYfta9gWWRdHZ8hlX96r1-XyMr1UXotgMk81mfMefje9hYJYHv4rx0bdmNFUwMwzXr1fycGHpUTudwKZM68EI97lbqSK2m0ruJs4BPT8KTw_4ltZXXu-JldNaiQGPLtlxiKnnLrsWN42rpgu5_yhG7OtRTU09VLEeYvdpcq9Lx64PSn8Q=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Grackle by Jeff Reiter</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Grackles of all kinds—including the one we know best, the
common grackle—are comfortable around people and human-altered landscapes. They
are opportunistic. In the fall, packs of noisy grackles will sometimes descend
upon my backyard, depleting my feeders in a ravenous frenzy. I don’t mind when it
happens because they are cool-looking birds.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Common grackles are scarce here in the winter; finding just one
is a challenge. But in early spring they return in force from their southern
hideouts. Watch for them now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I suppose we should keep an eye out for more great-tailed
grackles, too. Their population is increasing, studies show, and so is their
range. The species is already established in parts of Iowa. As noted in my
recent recap of the 2021 birding year, a great-tailed turned up last April in
Cook County. Lake County hosted one in 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now Will County is on the board. Maybe DuPage or Kane will
be next.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-81440068044136462032022-02-24T08:12:00.002-06:002022-02-24T08:12:29.842-06:00<p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrMTdwhd9osbbppzQxbV8FzIYBnyUj8LW1vU8uuVoIbx5pFp7sltUL7s8Q-H5yFoxZOBnIKJ8oEdFjYsLY6T185cyrY32V3lhZLKXaXzAJejL14oRSGBUvCyy5gYiE_qCxOYPbaP5wllPxQDq3EoE8j9uF64VhdvyGcqjkd7HSWH48dMazPQ=s5431" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5431" data-original-width="3620" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrMTdwhd9osbbppzQxbV8FzIYBnyUj8LW1vU8uuVoIbx5pFp7sltUL7s8Q-H5yFoxZOBnIKJ8oEdFjYsLY6T185cyrY32V3lhZLKXaXzAJejL14oRSGBUvCyy5gYiE_qCxOYPbaP5wllPxQDq3EoE8j9uF64VhdvyGcqjkd7HSWH48dMazPQ=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-breasted Sapsucker by Lee Jaffe<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A sip of Napa Valley's birdlife</span></b><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 2-24-22)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most visitors to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa thirst for
a fine cabernet. Me? I went for the birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was the last stop on our family vacation to Napa Valley,
the penultimate day of 2021. I volunteered for designated driver duty while my
wife and two kids attended the tour and tasting. When we pulled into Stag's
Leap, the birding potential seemed excellent. The grounds were beautiful. So
instead of dropping everybody off and heading for Oxbow Preserve in Napa, I
stayed put. It would prove to be a wise choice.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was nice to get away—our first all-family trip since well
before the pandemic. We picked the Napa region because we'd never been and
because it seemed like a good place for our son (“Jaybird”) to turn 21 on Dec.
27. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The viticulture scene was interesting, from the
vineyard-filled landscapes to the educational tastings. Being an occasional red
wine drinker, I could appreciate all of it. But the chance to see new birds is
what filled my glass. I'd birded in California only once before, in San Diego.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our rental home in St. Helena featured a birdy backyard—no
feeders, but lots of attractive plantings and a giant live oak. We arrived
after dark on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas morning I began to collect the
feathered gifts. One of them, an oak titmouse, ranked high on the wish list I'd
scratched out the week before—the first of four "lifers" on the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was looking at everything, of course. Some of the common
birds were species I'd seen only once or a few times before, like Anna's
hummingbird, black phoebe, chestnut-backed chickadee, California towhee, scrub
jay, Steller’s jay and western bluebird. Each sighting brought back memories of
other places where I'd felt the thrill of spotting something new. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was a happy birder just watching the yard and walking
around the neighborhood, not knowing what might pop up next. Even the juncos
were new, all sporting their distinct West Coast plumage. The croaks of
resident common ravens filled the air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNVX3v6wg_IIcphPxQN2awmeRKpIvGdiZp0SKNmfwvRZ4h8oAH1RyoH0Bqk9O0VES3Ob9hlUOOKuwOxP6ETuLNm7DPvlk0xqZ_UErnFv9htNVQ8e3iadxJzjAAB3kvQqsAbJv0JLpHdmeAGEmlx0iPHBqtSxZaYuc1xaGwrx42lw8VOicb6A=s3300" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="3300" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNVX3v6wg_IIcphPxQN2awmeRKpIvGdiZp0SKNmfwvRZ4h8oAH1RyoH0Bqk9O0VES3Ob9hlUOOKuwOxP6ETuLNm7DPvlk0xqZ_UErnFv9htNVQ8e3iadxJzjAAB3kvQqsAbJv0JLpHdmeAGEmlx0iPHBqtSxZaYuc1xaGwrx42lw8VOicb6A=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acorn Woodpecker by Lee Jaffe<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">One afternoon stroll took me past a scruffy junk-strewn
property, the kind of place where you expect a big dog to come charging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None did, and from the edges, I observed my
first Nuttall's woodpecker, a classic California species that’s similar to our
downy and hairy woodpeckers. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">To my surprise, the lot featured a fresh-looking hopper
feeder filled with mixed seed—perhaps a newly installed Christmas gift. Among its
customers were a pair of Eurasian collared doves. I didn't think much of it,
but later, when studying the local bird checklist published by Napa Solano
Audubon, I realized the non-native dove was an unusual visitor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family: arial;">At Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, near Calistoga, I caught a
three-second glimpse of a varied thrush—my reward for summitting Coyote Peak, a
rather challenging hike. Despite the brief look, it was satisfying to finally
see a varied thrush in its proper habitat. My only previous encounter with the
species, a Pacific Northwest specialty, was in Evanston, Ill., in 2013. Lots of
us remember </span><i style="font-family: arial;">that </i><span style="font-family: arial;">bird, a backyard sensation for several weeks.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">At Moore Creek Park we tried an all-family hike along the
edge of Lake Hennessey—that is, one birder and three non-birders. Two regrets
here: rain cut our outing short, and I botched the ID on a golden eagle. I knew
the big raptor was an eagle, but my lack of experience with goldens made me
blurt out "immature bald eagle!" Only later did I realize my error.
My family got over this very quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgieBQ5kjlXoLNJ2XEkAHZDSccWIwtJq25jYKexORYOOVGuteaOW-pmGzmlF2UseuYAnelBdmj_BtNnSWW3yiki_GCT5nyBrjKvlhsqIajdYyD-18_GOpm1HlHPMrf7dsBzUf-Pz8hsD0CzF3-tfaAYqgsDy38cX6YGrA286jYuxcukhTFE0Q=s3600" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgieBQ5kjlXoLNJ2XEkAHZDSccWIwtJq25jYKexORYOOVGuteaOW-pmGzmlF2UseuYAnelBdmj_BtNnSWW3yiki_GCT5nyBrjKvlhsqIajdYyD-18_GOpm1HlHPMrf7dsBzUf-Pz8hsD0CzF3-tfaAYqgsDy38cX6YGrA286jYuxcukhTFE0Q=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Quail by Lee Jaffe<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">When the drizzle picked up at Moore Creek everyone scrambled
back to the car except me. I'd located a colony of noisy acorn woodpeckers and
couldn't pull myself away. Then I remembered: I have the car keys! Time to pick
up the pace. Just before reaching the parking lot, another target species
stopped me in my tracks—a covey of California quail. After delivering the keys
I went back for a longer look. Luckily, my family was able to see the quail,
too, as we pulled out. Even soggy non-birders can appreciate California's
charismatic state bird.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Barn owls are known to hang around the vineyards, and I noticed
a few pole-mounted nesting boxes to attract them. But no owls. California
thrasher also eluded me, and I didn't see a spotted towhee all week.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The trip ended on a high note, though, thanks to our visit
to Stag's Leap. For nearly three hours I stalked around with my binoculars,
getting to know the security guards in the process. They were friendly, and I
sensed their bemusement to be chatting with a tourist who was more interested
in finding birds than sipping award-winning wine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One guard told me about all the quail and turkeys on the
property. That was news to me—I saw none. But I did see 22 other kinds of
birds, including a gazillion yellow-rumped warblers, the most abundant species
all week. My best find was a red-breasted sapsucker—a most welcome surprise
because I'd somehow overlooked it during my pre-trip research. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">That night, at a trendy restaurant in Napa, we raised a
toast to a fun-filled day and week, and a positive end to a difficult year.
Three wine glasses tapped against my pint of beer. The family pardoned my
choice of beverage, understanding that the excitement of a life bird can
sometimes cloud my judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Reiter's column appears regularly in Neighbor. You can
reach him via his blog, Words on Birds.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-31957194839159014422022-01-13T05:48:00.002-06:002022-01-13T05:48:27.322-06:00<p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu7ZYBF8c1TV1jH-JJGFbT31bQeMI0eq9anZfm_6IJ7BCyosLMx9saY7-hwIWMUVAIRzsiYOwBMvq4bP0c_Y_GAjdiUzC8wldMn193X8g2Dd-wZmuMBVZyha4XwRYb7Tw-EQL9CMqAubqom1f0y9ryVH8xBuqa9snssLr7SN2TMCX6rXX6pQ=s4190" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2792" data-original-width="4190" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu7ZYBF8c1TV1jH-JJGFbT31bQeMI0eq9anZfm_6IJ7BCyosLMx9saY7-hwIWMUVAIRzsiYOwBMvq4bP0c_Y_GAjdiUzC8wldMn193X8g2Dd-wZmuMBVZyha4XwRYb7Tw-EQL9CMqAubqom1f0y9ryVH8xBuqa9snssLr7SN2TMCX6rXX6pQ=w327-h218" width="327" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Violetear by Matt Misewicz</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A good year for birds and birders</span></b></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 1-13-22)</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Area birdwatchers will remember 2021 for at least a dozen
remarkable sightings, including two wayward hummingbirds and a lost flycatcher.
The chasers among us enjoyed ample opportunities to witness "life
birds" that seldom visit the region.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was a newsworthy year in other respects, too:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The Biden administration stood up for our
feathered friends by restoring protections of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty
Act, the most important bird conservation law ever enacted. The Department of
the Interior, under former president Trump, had severely weakened the
government's power to enforce it.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">In Illinois, Governor Pritzker signed the
"Bird-Safe Buildings Act," requiring the use of bird-friendly
construction techniques for all new construction or renovation of state-owned
buildings. The law aims to protect birds from collisions during their migratory
journeys.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn, a
vital care facility for injured birds (often from building strikes), announced
plans for major site improvements. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage
County hopes for completion in 2024.</span></li><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0rZoJFI0Sc8sPuJOs3TuawBbIY5THzx81qHwVh9KuITcUTqkDHH3hkP4jgoQVbuDrSp06Bwq2lOK_EtCJcmMpdCOF1XXl2YqASLd0EU_Wf8XZ6ZR8h8zDJnr7ywla-Ou3XC9jhyDbsynO6dxEsMrIE7YGRkZ2Z7n0S7n3KN_nZjaj_cKp2g=s1800" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0rZoJFI0Sc8sPuJOs3TuawBbIY5THzx81qHwVh9KuITcUTqkDHH3hkP4jgoQVbuDrSp06Bwq2lOK_EtCJcmMpdCOF1XXl2YqASLd0EU_Wf8XZ6ZR8h8zDJnr7ywla-Ou3XC9jhyDbsynO6dxEsMrIE7YGRkZ2Z7n0S7n3KN_nZjaj_cKp2g=w262-h174" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hudsonian Godwit by Jackie Bowman<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Chicago's famous (and endangered) piping
plovers, Monty and Rose, returned to Montrose Beach, nesting for a third
consecutive year. The plucky pair lost their first clutch of eggs to a skunk
attack but recovered nicely, hatching four chicks in July.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Ohio celebrated its first piping plover nest in
83 years at Maumee Bay State Park near Toledo. The male of the pair was Nish, son
of Monty and Rose, born in 2020.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Illinois Audubon Society received a $30 million
bequest from the estate of Gilbert and Mary Hebard, the largest single gift in
the organization's history. IAS celebrates 125 years in 2022.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A growing nonprofit, Birdability.org, raised its
profile in 2021, boosted by a partnership with American Bird Conservancy. Their
goal—and that of local groups like the DuPage Birding Club—is to make birding
more accessible for those with mobility challenges and other disabilities. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Chicago Park District prioritized accessibility
by installing an asphalt trail at the region's premier birding location,
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, home of the Magic Hedge. No bikes!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">In September, a "Big Sit" team
competition by the Illinois Ornithological Society raised $12,000 for IOS
support.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Cornell Lab of Ornithology added a Shazam-like
sound identification feature to its popular Merlin Bird ID app. It's free, and
birders love it.</span></li></ul><p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not all the bird-related news of 2021 was positive. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service issued its first update of "Birds of
Conservation Concern" in 13 years. The report identifies 269 species
needing support, excluding those already designated as federally threatened or
endangered. Among them: chimney swift, belted kingfisher, red-headed
woodpecker, scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, wood thrush, bobolink, and
cerulean warbler. I'll be looking at these birds a little differently now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The USFWS also removed 23 species from the Endangered
Species List, reclassifying them as extinct. One of them is the ivory-billed
woodpecker. That news, however, isn't stopping a new search effort in Louisiana
by Mission Ivorybill. Volunteers with waterproof boots are welcome. Pack a
camera, too, just in case.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsg7AMRH0IPveq2G4f5fUNrJUumSLfMLlpsisK2jalnKj-xIiUKVYlZZqKRvHgCrNlDPblj0ntFgD986CsIIfIKweVfKV1p2Z7UGc3uCXPq3IThVf0xzbKDpTRV5auldf8kJY8VpzFGUXtAWb9AyWbiKDH2tt7PpcCWTiu6FkiZxdS1xwzeg=s3728" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="3728" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsg7AMRH0IPveq2G4f5fUNrJUumSLfMLlpsisK2jalnKj-xIiUKVYlZZqKRvHgCrNlDPblj0ntFgD986CsIIfIKweVfKV1p2Z7UGc3uCXPq3IThVf0xzbKDpTRV5auldf8kJY8VpzFGUXtAWb9AyWbiKDH2tt7PpcCWTiu6FkiZxdS1xwzeg=w306-h204" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broad-billed Hummingbird by Matt Misewicz</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial;">The sightings<o:p></o:p></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now, about those hummingbirds. <i>Daily Herald</i> readers
may recall a front-page story in August about a Mexican violetear, a rare
hummer seldom seen in the Midwest and seen only once before in Illinois. One
visited the Cristino family's feeder in Mundelein, and word traveled fast. At
least 100 lucky birders witnessed the emerald beauty, a solid candidate for
local Bird of the Year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In May, Nathan Goldberg found a broad-billed hummingbird
feeding on a blossoming buckeye tree at LaBagh Woods in northwest Chicago. It
was the third Illinois sighting of the species, a native of Mexico and the
desert Southwest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another mega-rarity, small-billed elaenia, excited birders
in early December. Susan Zelek discovered the brownish flycatcher, a South
American species, in Waukegan. Only four records of the species exist for North
America; remarkably, one of them occurred in Chicago (2012).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNaCDE80Y5S9UnmPMzxJGHvrZCaYR7MFIURXinLbkVPjFraPWBG6Kiyxbz2W2SS5Zcx2zIHhcddHTEfwRQOYfLQjOm20CtrvEcpwi1Xs2Jcih4I1dQEW8riDB29B6Q6gKnthKTs4VseyL9n84MrBJVU6KUf4L8mfIJ08r_VbIf6gmlskGyVA=s1022" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1022" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNaCDE80Y5S9UnmPMzxJGHvrZCaYR7MFIURXinLbkVPjFraPWBG6Kiyxbz2W2SS5Zcx2zIHhcddHTEfwRQOYfLQjOm20CtrvEcpwi1Xs2Jcih4I1dQEW8riDB29B6Q6gKnthKTs4VseyL9n84MrBJVU6KUf4L8mfIJ08r_VbIf6gmlskGyVA=w225-h159" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullock's Oriole by Andy Gilbert<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Watchers road-tripped to Morgan County in late April to see
a vagrant Bullock's oriole, an astounding new yard bird for welcoming homeowner
Pat Ward.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was that kind of year. The following select highlights
from the region back up what I'm always telling new birders: Get outside and
look around. You never know what you might see!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Several typically hard-to-find species were
quite accessible in the region in 2021, such as black-necked stilt, cattle
egret, snowy egret, little blue heron, white-faced ibis, red-necked phalarope,
and trumpeter swan. All appeared in multiple locations.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Two black-neck stilts visited Springbrook
Prairie Forest Preserve in April, a new bird for the Naperville site (No. 241).
A snowy owl in November was No. 242. In addition, green-winged teal nested at
Springbrook, the first breeding record for the site and for DuPage County.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A Eurasian shorebird called a ruff turned up in
Oswego. A day later, a second ruff surprised birders at Wood Dale Reservoir
near Itasca. The latter site became a hotspot, hosting ruddy turnstone and
other unusual sandpipers, such as buff-breasted and white-rumped. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Denis Kania spotted an American anhinga flying
over McDowell Grove Forest Preserve during the DuPage Spring Bird Count in
May—the first anhinga in the 49-year history of the count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A black rail the same day, location
undisclosed, was the event’s second on record. </span></li><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-L7VugoqEqD8v8yCKigW3Gz-X9Ub286xR10h28SHukBoACzQ2H1PC_ithAytLvGyPIblVEkOwLrDzDGG4tuaMNSn3CGwbg1Lq69YzYEJlx_8yJfWtO3QlmFvIvYwsKZvZ0L-4yI7jkP3THXEnH3fBNIhyuCCpB0W7qNjudq8DwE4WF6VHxA=s4395" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3296" data-original-width="4395" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-L7VugoqEqD8v8yCKigW3Gz-X9Ub286xR10h28SHukBoACzQ2H1PC_ithAytLvGyPIblVEkOwLrDzDGG4tuaMNSn3CGwbg1Lq69YzYEJlx_8yJfWtO3QlmFvIvYwsKZvZ0L-4yI7jkP3THXEnH3fBNIhyuCCpB0W7qNjudq8DwE4WF6VHxA=w284-h213" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limpkin by Nat Carmichael</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Golden eagles sailed over Naperville's Greene
Valley Hawk Watch, a site designated “Fisher Point” by the Forest Preserve
District of DuPage County in October. The name honors Bob Fisher and his late
wife, Karen, for their dedication to bird conservation and the popular hawk
watching hill itself.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Morton Arboretum goodies included blue grosbeak,
northern mockingbird, Louisiana waterthrush, yellow-throated warbler, and
white-eyed vireo. St. James Farm also offered a blue grosbeak plus Harris's and
lark sparrows.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A limpkin found refuge at Chain O’Lakes State
Park in Lake County, followed by a second limpkin at Dixon Waterfowl Refuge in
Putnam County. These were just the second and third records for the species in
Illinois, the first coming in 2019 near Olney.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Rare delivery at UPS: in April, cattle egret and
great-tailed grackle visited the grounds of the United Parcel Service facility
in Hodgkins, just off I-294.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">As usual, Montrose Point birders crushed it.
Highlight birds included black vulture, brant, long-eared owl, Franklin's gull,
least bittern, western tanager, tufted titmouse, and white-faced ibis. The
latter added to a site list approaching 350 species. The Magic Hedge remained
magical, attracting 34 warbler varieties.</span></li><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoFMH4GtoEqApuGoDjPoAfnNHauk6u0iGjM4fZfBIjYLB9mZXwqkhP4__WphqfkPbpeh5SIt-xYRviOnPcJW7oRklF9oFOZbtAF2FHxX7d8dMTtVyufYGQOURbIBU9mZvJo5vgF9zQJ8R4OXWG1Fz43pZdgcg5Qmv-BfF9L6c3phOfR5aHGA=s834" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="834" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoFMH4GtoEqApuGoDjPoAfnNHauk6u0iGjM4fZfBIjYLB9mZXwqkhP4__WphqfkPbpeh5SIt-xYRviOnPcJW7oRklF9oFOZbtAF2FHxX7d8dMTtVyufYGQOURbIBU9mZvJo5vgF9zQJ8R4OXWG1Fz43pZdgcg5Qmv-BfF9L6c3phOfR5aHGA=w261-h185" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Bunting by Randy Schietzelt</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">A dazzling male painted bunting flashed birders
at Winnemac Park in Chicago in May; a second one lit up a McHenry County feeder
in December. McHenry also hosted a striking cinnamon teal in May.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Snowy owls invaded the region in late November
and hopefully will stay all winter. Most were roosting along the Chicago
lakefront. A barn owl visited Burnham Park in August. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">European goldfinch was (and still is) regular at
Armstrong Park in Carol Stream. Likewise for Eurasian tree sparrow at Kaneville
Cemetery in Elburn (watch the feeders).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Orland Grasslands produced a loggerhead shrike,
and a yellow-crowned night heron at Lincoln Park Zoo was not on the exhibit
roster. Wild turkeys, once a rarity in Cook, popped up in at least four places.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Multiple Hudsonian godwits delighted birders in
the fall. The one in St. Charles, at Breen Park, was incredibly cooperative—a
lifer for many, including me. </span></li><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUKhvID2jQ0zI98RcfqaQludiS6uj0cilOalzSYWGv1oelcr_ziYHYNLCIqnip52MxiB7Evd34ZrlcR3mYWDm2v9pzlz3EVCgrc-0FDZcCQf4nLZUNvX4TL6MxLhr7qOX8TmungZUhX-kfVo7LA0tplKDBvahz10xrCdPI2AVOTb4TuEgNPg=s2311" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2311" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUKhvID2jQ0zI98RcfqaQludiS6uj0cilOalzSYWGv1oelcr_ziYHYNLCIqnip52MxiB7Evd34ZrlcR3mYWDm2v9pzlz3EVCgrc-0FDZcCQf4nLZUNvX4TL6MxLhr7qOX8TmungZUhX-kfVo7LA0tplKDBvahz10xrCdPI2AVOTb4TuEgNPg=w254-h169" width="254" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gyr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">falcon by Josh Engel</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Birders scurried to Wauconda in November when
four whooping cranes settled in at Broberg Marsh. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Josh Engel of Red Hill Birding was leading a
gull trip last February in Waukegan when a spectacular gyrfalcon crashed the
party. Nobody complained.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A B</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">ohemian waxwing at Elsen’s Hill (Winfield)
delighted Christmas Bird Count participants on Dec. 18.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Other random oddities, all in DuPage: A common
loon on Mallard Lake throughout the spring and summer; three surf scoters
paddling around Hidden Lake Forest Preserve; and a backyard white-winged dove
in Elmhurst. As I said, you never know.</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Final thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Ornitherapy" is the title of a new book and a
word that well describes the calming role that birds have played for us during
the pandemic. Birding, like golf and gardening, is experiencing a growth spurt.
People want to be outside, connecting with nature. It's good for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes, just a peek at the backyard feeders is
enough--that's a connection, too. Other times I'll step onto the patio or
driveway and look up. This odd habit paid off big last March (on the same day!)
when I spotted two distant bald eagles and a high-flying flock of American
white pelicans. With them, my yard list hit 122 species.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiU_S1KaD62yFtYhp8Fv82yDe4S8iJlJl0fMQ6ji--tGAJvzn8JgKNKwu4ZKkWBcltQp2tXhCTzpfcuFKzRqLfqavgIHixfHXZkaV1zhzBTm-oVIrdmg9PKMCmYFtPlpQcgJA2Y0Z4IqYEQrXGEQ_VdvJsw42JcCnCxwAh3XAp6Y-XVdreYQ=s1966" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="1966" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiU_S1KaD62yFtYhp8Fv82yDe4S8iJlJl0fMQ6ji--tGAJvzn8JgKNKwu4ZKkWBcltQp2tXhCTzpfcuFKzRqLfqavgIHixfHXZkaV1zhzBTm-oVIrdmg9PKMCmYFtPlpQcgJA2Y0Z4IqYEQrXGEQ_VdvJsw42JcCnCxwAh3XAp6Y-XVdreYQ=w244-h155" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager by Jeff Reiter</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Perhaps my favorite sighting afield in 2021 was the summer
tanager at Cantigny Park, a rosy-red songster with a large appetite for
honeybees. I wrote a column about it.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In downtown Glen Ellyn, check out the outdoor murals by
artist Tony Fitzpatrick, installed in September. I don't understand every
element in the paintings, but the cardinal and red-bellied woodpecker are easy
IDs. The works are part of the DuPage Public Art Project, sponsored by the
College of DuPage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Baraboo, Wis., is on my 2022 itinerary. The International
Crane Foundation held a Covid-delayed grand opening last May following a
massive renovation. “Cranes of the World” will be worth the trip. I’m equally
stoked for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, always a great weekend. Dates
are May 12-15.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">More diversions are surely in my near future, planned or on
the fly. The birding life takes you places. Wherever you go this year, stay
safe, enjoy the birds, and report back! </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2022 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-3564733443218686322021-11-04T20:29:00.002-05:002021-11-04T20:30:48.886-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ULIGNPxd64/YYSHsfnrK4I/AAAAAAAABhU/2WEQPtRq7_o6qjsdk8QkfUeNuJaEcTatgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Red-eyed%2BVireo%2B1%2BBY%2BJT893X.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ULIGNPxd64/YYSHsfnrK4I/AAAAAAAABhU/2WEQPtRq7_o6qjsdk8QkfUeNuJaEcTatgCLcBGAsYHQ/w367-h244/Red-eyed%2BVireo%2B1%2BBY%2BJT893X.jpg" width="367" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-eyed vireos can't resist a fruiting magnolia tree in the fall.<br />They pluck the berries from the cone-like seed pods and <br />swallow them whole. (photo by jt893x)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Magic Magnolia</b></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 11-4-21)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">About 20 years ago, my wife planted a sweet bay magnolia (</span><i style="font-family: arial;">Magnolia virginiana)</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">in our side yard. It grew quickly, blossomed in the spring, and stayed out of the way. I never paid much attention to it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But after this fall, I will never look at the tree the same way. Now I call it the Magic Magnolia.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For two weeks in September, red-eyed vireos and Swainson’s thrushes called it breakfast, lunch and dinner. They picked the tree clean, harvesting the bright orange berries from the cone-like seed pods.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The feeding frenzy was fun to witness from our dining room window, especially the vireos. They were almost within reach, hopping around in the magnolia like kids in a bouncy house, sometimes hovering like kinglets to grab the fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Has this avian sideshow been going on every September? Had I just been missing it? As a devoted yard birder, it hurts to ask.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It began with a sound, and I had no idea who was making it. I’m familiar with many bird songs but call notes can be tricky. This one, a harsh mew or whine, came from the magnolia. I tracked it down and found a red-eyed vireo—the same bird known for singing all day, constantly, from up high in our deciduous forests. Take a hike in June or July and you’ll often hear (but not see) the “preacher bird.” So, what’s it doing way down here, sounding almost like a catbird?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Feeding, of course. At times the magnolia hosted four vireos at once, along with a Swainson’s thrush or two. I learned that the beanlike berries of the magnolia, which ripen in August and contain magnolia seeds, are indeed a favorite food of red-eyed vireos in the fall. The fruit is high in oil, providing essential energy for southbound migrants. Our magnolia was a living fuel station, serving up Red Bull in a convenient berry format!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BW0uxEXscvE/YYR8XGDRTzI/AAAAAAAABgc/E-QnWhL8hi8Ho2Xp5FxXtPlNbyLCFY9bACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Red-eyed%2BVireo%2B2%2Bby%2Bjt893x.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BW0uxEXscvE/YYR8XGDRTzI/AAAAAAAABgc/E-QnWhL8hi8Ho2Xp5FxXtPlNbyLCFY9bACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Red-eyed%2BVireo%2B2%2Bby%2Bjt893x.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s usually a challenge to see the red eye of a red-<br />eyed vireo. This one is holding a magnolia berry,<br />which contains the magnolia seed.<br />(photo by jt893x)</span><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Red-eyed vireos nest here, then spend their winters in northern parts of South America. Swainson’s thrush is only with us in the spring and fall, passing through. It breeds in northern coniferous forests before its autumn migration to Central and South America.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Both species are primarily bug eaters during their breeding seasons. In the fall, their diets change, turning more to berries and seeds. This makes sense, because fewer insects are available, and because the adults are finished raising their families. Fledglings require the high-protein content of invertebrates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When looking into this, I found several books that claimed red-eyed vireos eat nothing but fruit in the winter. This surprised me—I always assumed that one reason songbirds went south was to enable their insectivorous diets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A quick check-in with a prominent birdman proved helpful. Doug Stotz, senior conservation ecologist at Chicago’s Field Museum, disagreed that red-eyed vireos eat only fruit in the winter. He’s seen them foraging for insects in the tropics. But he did confirm that fruit comprises most of a vireo’s winter diet, and the same goes for Swainson’s thrush. Lots of species follow this eating pattern.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dReyDzdo38/YYR9FYnligI/AAAAAAAABgk/woJ95FcbeuAq6GyUhH5vu-DMf1jwxPdyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Swainson%2527s%2BThrush%2Bby%2BJerry%2BTing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dReyDzdo38/YYR9FYnligI/AAAAAAAABgk/woJ95FcbeuAq6GyUhH5vu-DMf1jwxPdyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Swainson%2527s%2BThrush%2Bby%2BJerry%2BTing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Like other long-distance migrants, the Swainson’s<br />thrush, a cousin of the robin, brings a hearty<br />appetite when it travels through our region in the<br /> fall. (photo by Jerry Ting)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">“Fruit is widespread and generally reliable as a food source throughout tropical forests and edge habitats where most migrant land birds end up,” Stotz said. “If you can feed on fruit, it doesn’t require as much time as insect foraging does.”</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A berry is a lot easier to catch than a flying wasp. Following a long migration, and during their non-breeding “off-season,” it’s understandable that birds would favor quick and easy meals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stotz also noted how some migratory insectivorous species manage to survive Chicago winters by shifting to a fruit-heavy diet, citing American robin, hermit thrush, northern flicker, and yellow-rumped warbler as examples.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Red-eyed vireos and Swainson’s thrushes are not candidates to stick around and see their first snow. By mid-October or sooner they’ve left our region, winging their way south and replenishing their tiny fuel tanks as they go. The deeper they get into Dixie the easier it becomes to find magnolia trees and other food-rich vegetation to sustain their transcontinental journeys.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next September, I’ll be watching our magnolia carefully—the same tree I once ignored. As I’ve always known but never quite internalized until this fall, feeding the birds is more than putting up feeders. Most migrating species have no interest in backyard seed handouts, but they most certainly will visit fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. They find them because they need them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, I thanked my wife for planting the sweet bay magnolia, and all the other woody plants she’s brought home over the years. She always told me the birds will love them, and she was right. I’ve seen the magic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2021 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></i></div>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-41243398507940592732021-09-07T08:42:00.001-05:002021-09-07T08:42:34.695-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecxJtsacy6M/YS-L4MoVsbI/AAAAAAAABfs/5T80CGOoY2gyFEwMPeL8Q_UfZWvtupnLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Big%2BSit%2Bbirders%2Bon%2BButterfly%2BHill.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecxJtsacy6M/YS-L4MoVsbI/AAAAAAAABfs/5T80CGOoY2gyFEwMPeL8Q_UfZWvtupnLACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/Big%2BSit%2Bbirders%2Bon%2BButterfly%2BHill.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birders gathered on top of Butterfly Hill for <br />Cantigny's inaugural "Big Sit" in 2019. The <br />group tallied 43 species without leaving <br />their perch, the highest point on the property.</td></tr></tbody></table></b><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Birders pull up a chair</span></b></div>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 9-7-21)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial;">There are many ways to birdwatch, making the hobby
accessible for just about everybody. It’s one of the best things about
birding—you can do it anywhere, at any time.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I treasure the time on my patio, watching and listening
for whatever comes by. Migrating common nighthawks in the evening grabbed my
attention in recent weeks. Now I’m back on morning call, searching for fall
warblers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Traditional bird walks are fine—I eagerly attend
them and sometimes lead them. But observing birds from a single position can be
equally rewarding and fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two years ago, in partnership with the DuPage
Birding Club, Cantigny Park in Wheaton held its inaugural “Big Sit.” About 30
birders, coming and going throughout a full morning, spotted 43 species from
our lookout atop Butterfly Hill. We had to cancel the 2020 Big Sit but we’re
doing it again on Saturday, Sept. 11. Grab a chair and come on up!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Big Sitting is a thing, trust me. The New Haven Bird
Club in Connecticut came up with the idea in 1993 and even trademarked the
name. Big Sits are now frequently used as fundraisers for bird conservation and
related causes, with donors pledging a certain amount per species. The events
are often a popular sideshow at birding festivals, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To be official, a few Big Sit rules apply: the count
must be conducted from within a 17-foot diameter circle, and species must be
identified by the observers over a continuous period, sometimes 24 hours! It’s
a stationary version of a Big Day, but a lot easier on the legs and better for
the environment than driving from place to place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cg1ThNjHqPI/YS-NBLF9DDI/AAAAAAAABf0/4BbiKM9s3C81AmXQX8o97AGNp833hVvUACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Joan%2BCampbell%2Bat%2BBig%2BSit.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cg1ThNjHqPI/YS-NBLF9DDI/AAAAAAAABf0/4BbiKM9s3C81AmXQX8o97AGNp833hVvUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Joan%2BCampbell%2Bat%2BBig%2BSit.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cantigny Park volunteer and DuPage Birding<br />Club member Joan Campbell adds a species to <br />the board during the Big Sit. Butterfly Hill's <br />namesake flower bed is visible in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At Cantigny, we don’t go all day, and we are a
little loose about the 17-foot rule. Socializing is welcomed, and so are
homemade brownies and other snacks. It’s a serious endeavor, though, as we
strain to see or hear as many kinds of birds as possible. Every birder has a
chance to help grow the list.</span></span><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maximizing a Big Sit count begins with a strategic
location. Cantigny is blessed with an ideal spot, and Butterfly Hill did not even
exist until three years ago. The hill originated from truckloads of displaced
soil during the park’s recent renovation. Hauling the dirt off-site would have
been expensive and wasteful, plus Cantigny wanted to create a scenic overlook.
Park visitors now have a nice view of the Cantigny golf course, not to mention
the giant butterfly-shaped flower bed behind the first green that inspired the
hill’s name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most importantly for birdwatchers, the view from
Butterfly Hill features multiple habitats, including grassland, scrub, oak
savannah, pond, and wetland. Birders are nearly eye-level with the crowns of
mature oaks behind the First Division Museum. And of course, open sky—critical
for spotting all manner of fly-bys, from hummingbirds to turkey vultures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stationary birding naturally appeals to birders with
limited mobility, and to people who just prefer a less vigorous birding
experience in a social setting. So, in addition to Big Sits, there are little
sits. The DuPage Birding Club this year supplemented its already robust field
trip schedule with “bird sits” at venues around the county. These are two-hour
BYOC (bring your own chair) outings, currently limited to 10 participants, and
non-club members are welcome. You can find out more at dupagebirding.org.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Highly specialized watch parties are out there too,
and good seats are available! In 2018, I wrote about Kane County Audubon’s
annual Chimney Swift Sit. I’ll never forget watching 2,000 chimney swifts swirl
into their nighttime roost, a smokestack at Abbott Middle School in Elgin. The
mesmerizing process began at dusk before several dozen birders in folding
chairs. Curious neighbors came out to see what we were watching. When the last
bird dropped into the old pipe about 20 minutes later, we clapped as if we’d
just witnessed the best fireworks show ever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks1i0rqt7d0/YS-NvvOMygI/AAAAAAAABf8/AJrjGdznoA04TCvPT2fsp4t9oBCda55PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Birdability%2Bwalk%2Bat%2BCantigny%2BPark.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks1i0rqt7d0/YS-NvvOMygI/AAAAAAAABf8/AJrjGdznoA04TCvPT2fsp4t9oBCda55PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Birdability%2Bwalk%2Bat%2BCantigny%2BPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In August, Cantigny hosted its first "Birdability"<br />walk for people with mobility limitations.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial;">The sedentary events I’ve described are for all
birders, but they also fill a niche within a growing movement called
Birdability, which strives to make birding and nature more accessible. Virginia
Rose, a wheelchair-bound dynamo from Austin, Texas, is Birdability’s founder
and head cheerleader. She’s all about creating no-barriers, away-from-home
birding opportunities for people with disabilities (birdability.org).</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As I read several inspiring stories about Virginia,
it occurred to me that Cantigny would score high on the Birdability scale. The
park offers wide, hard-surface pathways with gentle grades; ramps; and ample
seating in the gardens. Wheelchairs and binoculars are available for borrowing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In August, we dipped our toes in the water, hosting
a small group of limited-mobility birders for two hours of slow and easy
birding. We spotted 18 species in the gardens near the Visitors Center. The participants
appreciated a walk tailored to their needs—topped by a dazzling Baltimore
oriole that appeared just before we disbanded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cantigny is making Birdability walks a regular part
of its birding program. The next outing is on September 24. For more
information, visit Cantigny.org.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2021 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-77957392427022234432021-07-27T13:11:00.006-05:002021-08-06T11:53:34.252-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0e101a; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGjMbk4mikc/YP71G35arqI/AAAAAAAABfE/Jnm8HK69rZ4aWtJDxIzAwX9nozND41SKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Audubon%2Bby%2BSyme.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1618" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGjMbk4mikc/YP71G35arqI/AAAAAAAABfE/Jnm8HK69rZ4aWtJDxIzAwX9nozND41SKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w253-h320/Audubon%2Bby%2BSyme.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John James Audubon painted every<br />known bird in America during the <br />early 1800s, a feat that earned him<br />international acclaim. This 1826<br />portrait by Scottish artist John Syme<br />hangs in the White House.<br /><i>Courtesy White House Collection/</i><br /><i>White House Historical Association</i></span> <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0e101a; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">John James Audubon’s complex legacy </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></strong></div>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0e101a; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The artist’s racism is a hot issue for many
organizations bearing his name.</span></em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0e101a; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(published 8-6-21)</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Years ago, when working in Chicago, I would occasionally
drift into an art gallery in the Wrigley Building that specialized in the works
of John James Audubon. The big, beautiful paintings filled me with awe. My
admiration for Audubon soared with each visit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recently, though, my feelings about the most famous
American bird artist have changed. I am still fascinated by his life
(1785-1851) and impressed by his “Birds of America” masterwork. But his legend
blinded me from seeing the unsavory aspects of his character.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My eyes were opened by an essay in the spring issue
of <em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Audubon</span></em>,
published by the National Audubon Society. The author, J. Drew Lanham, a Black
birder and ornithologist, examined the problematic legacy of John James
Audubon, a slave owner and perpetuator of white supremacist culture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The stories of icons and heroes are critical, but
what happens when truth rubs the shine off to reveal tarnished reality?” Lanham
asks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The truth about Audubon was always available. We
mostly chose to ignore it. As a kid, Lanham says he idolized Audubon: “In every
book, John James was woodsy and heroic, the kind of birdwatcher I wanted to
be.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4XFk_J_ZMU/YP8FC6b16vI/AAAAAAAABfc/0hpEb1hQBwAezt8nz3qUMUWKEMuVzmSJQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Plate%2B66%2B-%2BIvory-billed%2BWoodpecker.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1686" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4XFk_J_ZMU/YP8FC6b16vI/AAAAAAAABfc/0hpEb1hQBwAezt8nz3qUMUWKEMuVzmSJQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Plate%2B66%2B-%2BIvory-billed%2BWoodpecker.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Birds of America Plate 66:<br />Ivory-billed Woodpecker</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I read those books, too. Now, because of Lanham’s
essay, and the courage of National Audubon to print it, I’m seeing “JJA” in a
darker light. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is a course offered by the School of the Art
Institute of Chicago called “Love the Art, Hate the Artist.” I wanted to ask
the instructor, Eileen Favorite, if Audubon’s name had ever surfaced in her
class. She did not respond to my outreach, but the bird painter would be a strong
candidate for discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Audubon is not the only name in play. There is a
push to change the common names of birds named after people because some of
those people are tied to racism. In 2020, McCown’s longspur was reclassified as
thick-billed longspur. The species was discovered in 1851 by John P. McCown,
who later would serve the Confederate Army in defense of slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial;">About 150 of North America’s birds are named after
people—including two species named after Audubon himself. The American Ornithological
Society has expressed a commitment to changing “exclusionary or harmful” bird
names. More to come, and probably sooner than later. A campaign called Bird
Names for Birds is gathering support.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Meanwhile, as Lanham titled his essay, What do we do
about John James Audubon? The name is everywhere. There is National Audubon and
its affiliated local and regional chapters. There are also independent
organizations that use the name, like Illinois Audubon Society, which has
chapters of its own, such as Kane County Audubon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkW1spduHdA/YP8FCZ4PMaI/AAAAAAAABfY/eCYpck-RSgotd-Mll-yU2mUdAme7C9SiwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Plate%2B102%2B-%2BBlue%2BJay.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1686" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkW1spduHdA/YP8FCZ4PMaI/AAAAAAAABfY/eCYpck-RSgotd-Mll-yU2mUdAme7C9SiwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Plate%2B102%2B-%2BBlue%2BJay.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds of America Plate 102:<br />Blue Jay</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The name John James Audubon is complex,” said Jim
Herkert, executive director of Springfield-based Illinois Audubon. “For some,
the name equates with birds, birding, and conservation, but for others, the
name may be equated with racist beliefs and actions of the time in which he
lived.” <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial;">Perception is reality. The country band Lady
Antebellum changed its name to Lady A in 2020. Done. Problem solved.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If only the Audubon issue was that simple. Hundreds
of Audubon-branded conservation groups and bird clubs, some more than a century
old, are affected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Illinois Audubon, founded in 1897, will chart its
own course of action and independently address the question of changing its
name, Herkert told me. But more important, he said, is the need to engage a
more diverse audience around the urgency of conservation, especially bird
conservation. Part of that involves making nature (and birding) more accessible
for all people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Actions are what matter,” Herkert said.
“Conservation needs to be more inclusive, equitable and just. If all that
happens out of this is a few groups change their name, then we’ve missed the
boat.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Illinois Audubon established a Diversity and
Inclusion Committee last year to help chart its future. National Audubon, likewise,
is taking steps to deepen its commitment to antiracism while reassessing its
own history and connection to its namesake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For a different perspective, I contacted Brian “Fox”
Ellis, an Illinois-based storyteller, book author and naturalist. He’s been
portraying JJA for nearly two decades, and last year published “Adventures with
John James Audubon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCyXFHwXAjY/YP8FB1TTgqI/AAAAAAAABfY/wRBRmg_JCA4UFu36M0GO9v-Xl-V_67nfQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Plate%2B159%2B-%2BCardinal%2BGrosbeak.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1686" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCyXFHwXAjY/YP8FB1TTgqI/AAAAAAAABfY/wRBRmg_JCA4UFu36M0GO9v-Xl-V_67nfQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Plate%2B159%2B-%2BCardinal%2BGrosbeak.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds of America Plate 159:<br />Cardinal Grosbeak</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I have always made an effort to present history
unvarnished, warts and all, because it is the drama that makes history exciting
and honest,” Ellis said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Audubon owned slaves. He sold and traded human
beings. This is unforgivable. Yet it does not erase his accomplishments in art
and ornithology, his poetry.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial;">JJA was the first person to paint every bird in
North America, some 497 species known in his day. He did it well: a first
edition of “The Birds of America” went for $9.65 million at auction in 2018.
Audubon also contributed to science by writing detailed biographies for each
bird, some of them previously unknown.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When reenacting Audubon or any other historical
figure—he portrays about 30—Ellis said he trusts in the intelligence of his
audience members, allowing them to filter through the facts and form their own
opinions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the case of Audubon, he believes “we can honor
his brilliance and creativity while acknowledging his sins.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But for the organizations that bear Audubon’s name,
the reckoning continues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is a massive (and costly) rebranding ahead, or will
the Audubon label survive? Some big decisions lie ahead for the various
national, state and local Audubon groups that conduct vital work for the
benefit of birds and other wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For every one of them, the question “What’s in a
name?” has never been more relevant.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Copyright 2021 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-85083635133353138352021-06-29T16:08:00.001-05:002021-06-29T16:08:24.125-05:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MuL93RyfR0A/YLvU6xvy0iI/AAAAAAAABeM/SKe-wT-5cSooBk9WqkuCq20jsCm085rVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Summer%2BTanager%2Bby%2BMaranda%2BMink.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MuL93RyfR0A/YLvU6xvy0iI/AAAAAAAABeM/SKe-wT-5cSooBk9WqkuCq20jsCm085rVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Summer%2BTanager%2Bby%2BMaranda%2BMink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager by Maranda Mink</td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-size: x-large;">A "bee bird" made my day</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(published 6-30-21)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my favorite spring rituals
is the Birdwatching Open at Cantigny Golf, held every year on World Migratory
Bird Day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The 12<sup>th</sup> edition of the “the Open” took place May 8, our
first since 2019 due to the pandemic. The idea is to find as many kinds of birds
as we can at the golf course. That is our score, and, unlike golf itself, the
higher the better. Flyovers count!</div></div></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But early May is finicky. The
birding can be crazy good. Or not. Spring migration plays out a little
differently every year. Timing is everything. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unfortunately, the 2021
Birdwatching Open, coinciding with the county-wide Spring Bird Count, took
place during a migratory lull. We finished our “round” with only 55 species
heard or seen—laughably short of our record 87 species in 2018.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was far from a bad day,
however. How could it be? Baltimore orioles were plentiful, seven kinds of
warblers gave us peeks, and we found a nesting pair of red-headed woodpeckers. Our
group of 15 hiked five miles, didn’t freeze or get wet and shared some laughs—including
a few with the paying customers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think the golfers get a kick out
of us. They make jokes about birdies and never seem to mind sharing the course.
Some are genuinely curious about what we are doing and want to know our “best
bird” so far.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The best bird for me, personally,
was still to come. And not at the golf course.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXSRtqR5m2Y/YLvLO7dSGuI/AAAAAAAABdk/rrH1qvgeY9I-rmDZpNI6D0yDhERquJmJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Scarlet%2BTanager%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz%2B-%2Bcropped.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXSRtqR5m2Y/YLvLO7dSGuI/AAAAAAAABdk/rrH1qvgeY9I-rmDZpNI6D0yDhERquJmJACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Scarlet%2BTanager%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz%2B-%2Bcropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scarlet Tanager by Matt Misewicz<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the Open I went over to
Cantigny Park to do a quick survey, so the park property would not go unrepresented
in the Spring Bird Count, a census organized by the DuPage Birding Club. It was
almost 4 p.m., I was exhausted and a little birded out. But off I went, searching
for birds amid gaggles of photo-crazy prom and wedding celebrants. They had to
be wondering about the guy with binoculars.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I found a few birds that we hadn’t
seen on the golf course, including chipping sparrow, swamp sparrow and
chestnut-sided warbler. Most notably, I got a fix on two great-horned owlets in
a nest high above the Army tanks. A few hours earlier, our Birdwatching Open group,
desperate for another species, had tried unsuccessfully to spot the owlets from
the golf course side of the fence. Alas, too many leaves.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My car was parked behind the
office building near the greenhouse. As I packed up my mind was on food and a
cold IPA. Then a calling bird grabbed my attention. I followed the sound and 20
steps away, while still in the parking lot, I found myself eye to eye with a beautiful
summer tanager. Hold that beer!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My first thought was why am I
seeing this amazing bird all by myself? Some birds are meant to be shared. I
managed a few decent photos for documentation and later confirmed that it was Cantigny’s
first summer tanager on record, species No. 187 for the property list.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvgN5TxUK9Y/YLvLpH3e5AI/AAAAAAAABds/VRHEVj4i3qwGEUqLVd2R8r2kdvuRzd4eACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Western%2BTanager%2Bby%2BSteve%2BJones.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvgN5TxUK9Y/YLvLpH3e5AI/AAAAAAAABds/VRHEVj4i3qwGEUqLVd2R8r2kdvuRzd4eACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Western%2BTanager%2Bby%2BSteve%2BJones.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Tanager by Steve Jones<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />That evening, it dawned on me that
the tanager was near a cluster of Cantigny beehives. Sure enough, a little
quick research revealed that honeybees are one of the summer tanager’s favorite
foods. Coincidentally, six days later, I received the Bird of the Week email
from the American Bird Conservancy. You guessed it, summer tanager.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I learned a lot from the ABC email.
The summer tanager has a nickname, the bee bird. Using its thick, pointed bill,
it snatches bees and wasps out of the air like a flycatcher—a behavior I
observed. Back on its perch, the bird subdues its prey and removes the stinger
before chowing down.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Trivia: the male adult summer
tanager is the only entirely red bird in North America. Chicagoland is at the
far northern edge its migratory range, so the bird is uncommon here. It winters
in Mexico and South America in the company of many tropical tanager species that
never enter the United States.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two other tanagers visit our region.
The eye-popping scarlet tanager is the “expected” species, and our Birdwatching
Open group was eager to see one. No luck. A week later, a scarlet lit up my
yard, making my day just like the summer tanager before it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The third potential tanager species
is western, a true rarity around here. Many birders saw their first western
tanager in Illinois last December in Channahon, including me. That bird was out
of place and out of season, but a handful of westerns are spotted every year in
the state.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The day of the Open, a western tanager
was briefly seen at La Bagh Woods in Cook County by birders who were observing a
broad-billed hummingbird—an astounding Chicago daily double! Birding is full of
surprises. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not claim to be a tanager magnet.
Far from it. The Cantigny summer tanager was my first look at that species
since 2008, at Morton Arboretum. But now I have The Cap. Yes, my current
favorite headgear for birding features a western tanager on the front, a gift
from my brother in Arizona. As a tanager attractant, it seems to be working.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2021 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-37662059956892917742021-04-29T05:57:00.003-05:002021-04-29T05:57:40.539-05:00<p><b></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ONhgFEJ8c/YHNGS6OhkDI/AAAAAAAABbs/kLHeJ7NuvqMcd7mVzmN_zLStabwfMqNgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Rollin%2B%2526%2BDori%2BReiter%2Bat%2BWilderness%2BCenter%2B9-8-15.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ONhgFEJ8c/YHNGS6OhkDI/AAAAAAAABbs/kLHeJ7NuvqMcd7mVzmN_zLStabwfMqNgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h246/Rollin%2B%2526%2BDori%2BReiter%2Bat%2BWilderness%2BCenter%2B9-8-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author's late parents, Rollin and Dori Reiter, pictured in<br />in 2015 at The Wilderness Center, in Wilmot, Ohio.</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Two more reasons I’m a birder</span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>(published 4-29-21)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birdwatchers often refer to a “spark bird”—a sighting
experience that launched them into this wonderfully addictive hobby. I have one
myself, a hooded warbler, spotted in 1994. Seeing it, and then figuring out
what it was, hooked me for good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s fun to have a spark bird but there is usually more to
the story—true in my case, for sure. I was interested in birds as a kid. The
hooded warbler ignited something that was already there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">If I’ve become a bird nerd, I blame my parents. In a good
way. I’ve been thinking about them a lot since they passed in January, on
consecutive days in Florida. Dad was 92, mom 90. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My folks were not devoted birders, but they were bird
friendly. They kept a full feeder in our Canton, Ohio, backyard, and a Peterson
field guide within reach. In the fall, dad would call attention to V formations
of migrating Canada geese, a spectacle worth watching. Geese had a better
reputation back then.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our family of four traveled outside the neighborhood for
birds, too. I remember an evening trip to The Wilderness Center in Wilmot,
where mom did some volunteering. It was March or April, not warm, and we were
woodcock watching. At the time, I didn’t know a woodcock from a woodchuck. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think we saw American woodcocks performing their aerial
courtship display but can’t swear to it. The experience, not the bird, is what
I recall. Fifty-plus years later, I’m a dues-paying member of The Wilderness
Center and my father-in-law is at rest in Foxfield Preserve, the center’s conservation
burial ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another family adventure took us to Hinckley, for Buzzard
Sunday, a classic “rite of spring” event. I guess you could say it was my first
birding festival. Legend says that the buzzards (turkey vultures) return to
Hinckley Ridge every year on March 15. It’s Ohio’s version of the famous
swallows of San Juan Capistrano in California, only more reliable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hinckley’s been celebrating the homely
buzzards every year since 1957. Did we see them? Again, my recall is fuzzy, but
the pancakes and hot chocolate were good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mom instigated those family outings and encouraged my interest
in the natural world. Thanks to her, I became an avid subscriber to <i>Ranger
Rick</i> from the National Wildlife Federation and treasured my collection of
annual NWF stamps. I became a nature boy, diverging from my more athletic older
brother.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Around age 10, before I was old enough to join Boy Scouts
and attend Camp Tuscazoar, mom and dad sent me to a one-week “conservation
camp” in Kentucky, a place I surely learned about in <i>Ranger Rick. </i>The
camp was in the Land Between the Lakes, near Paducah. I was too young to
appreciate the natural beauty of the place. What I remember most is a
mop-topped boy named Jeremy who was obsessed with birds and could ID anything
with wings. We called him Bird Man. I didn’t necessarily want to be like him—perhaps
I was beginning to question if birding was cool—but his skills impressed me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwyJInbcLI4/YHNI7HXao6I/AAAAAAAABb0/daVnMklUGnE6IjiaSltf36yU0l6Z382TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Jeff%2Band%2BRollin%2BReiter%2B2001.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwyJInbcLI4/YHNI7HXao6I/AAAAAAAABb0/daVnMklUGnE6IjiaSltf36yU0l6Z382TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Jeff%2Band%2BRollin%2BReiter%2B2001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author and his dad visited this birding<br />hotspot in 2001, our country's southernmost<br />national park. For the senior Reiter, a U.S. history <br />buff, it was all about the fort.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Flash forward to April 2001, my first of two trips with dad
when birding was the main objective. I was deep into the hobby by then, and
eager to see new species. Somehow, I talked dad into a three-day Florida Nature
Tours excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park, a group of tiny islands 70 miles
west of Key West.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dry Tortugas was a perfect destination. As a history buff, dad
was keen on visiting Fort Jefferson, the massive 19<sup>th</sup>-century garrison
that dominates the park. He’d be happy exploring the fort while I explored the
birdlife. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My plan worked! Sort of. Accommodations on the tour’s small
ship were subpar, and dad took ill on the ride back to Key West. He’d spend the
next several weeks recovering from acute diverticulitis.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dad apparently forgave me because in 2014 he agreed to an
all-day field trip with Hendry-Glades Audubon Society, in the Lake Okeechobee region of
south-central Florida. We drove up the night before, and this time our beds
were fine, at the historic Clewiston Inn. A fading but still beautiful
hand-painted mural depicting Florida birds covered the walls in the hotel’s
little tavern—a good omen. Better yet, it was fried chicken night in the dining
room down the hall, like they knew we were coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next day, his 86<sup>th</sup> birthday, dad shared my excitement
in spotting a crested caracara, my No. 1 target bird for the trip. Later we
bagged a scissor-tailed flycatcher. We enjoyed those birds a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTCOkELVTNk/YHNKgeVT_zI/AAAAAAAABb8/qJ0jqSZC5cQgA80rvMMsQizyKQ_twqDGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Wood%2BDuck%2Bdecoys%2Bcarved%2Bby%2BRollin%2BReiter.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTCOkELVTNk/YHNKgeVT_zI/AAAAAAAABb8/qJ0jqSZC5cQgA80rvMMsQizyKQ_twqDGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Wood%2BDuck%2Bdecoys%2Bcarved%2Bby%2BRollin%2BReiter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollin Reiter's hand-carved decoys, like this<br />wood duck pair, were coveted by family and <br />friends. Some of them won awards.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Mom wasn’t on board for these adventures, opting to stay
home in Key Largo with the ducks. Decoys, that is, about three dozen of them.
Dad began carving and painting decoys in the late 1970s, soon becoming an
accomplished amateur artist. His ducks, geese, and shorebirds, plus others
purchased from master carvers, were widely admired by friends and family.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The decoys (and duck-inspired art on our walls) were an important
aspect of my bird-filled upbringing. I learned about the importance of Ducks
Unlimited and the federal duck stamp. Hunting isn’t my thing, but dad taught me
to appreciate the conservation role played by waterfowlers. I purchase a duck
stamp every year and probably always will.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My final bird walk with dad, if you can call it that, was a brief
stroll down his street last October. He was in a wheelchair, pushed by Linda, a
young caregiver. To her, the game of looking for birds and trying to identify
them was completely new. She was amazed when a bird landed in plain view and I told
her it was Florida’s state bird, a northern mockingbird. Dad knew the species
well, his favorite songster, and it momentarily lifted his spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wanted to thank that neighborhood mocker for its good
timing. Today, I’m thanking a higher spirit for the two people who made birds
and birding a part of me forever. It’s cool now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2021 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></i></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-75739660177077334872021-03-10T06:35:00.000-06:002021-03-10T06:35:18.794-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8tC_Xknuu0/YCxHb9ycZaI/AAAAAAAABZc/tgtljQXASegCA9OTE8Ykc4Aw9VWRMZ1NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Al%2BStokie%2Bmain%2Bshot.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8tC_Xknuu0/YCxHb9ycZaI/AAAAAAAABZc/tgtljQXASegCA9OTE8Ykc4Aw9VWRMZ1NwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/Al%2BStokie%2Bmain%2Bshot.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Al
Stokie recorded his 400<sup>th</sup> Illinois bird last December in Channahon,
<br />where a Great Kiskadee made a first-time appearance in the state. <br />He’s shown
here at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove. </span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The birding life</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Al
Stokie, the area’s most prolific birder, writes a daily report that fellow
watchers treasure</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">(published 3-10-21)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are all
creatures of habit. But to describe the daily routine of Al Stokie as habitual
would be selling him short. It’s much more: curiosity, discipline and obsession
all rolled into one.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The man went
birding every single day in 2020, usually leaving his Park Ridge home before
sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I
contacted Al for this column, he was hesitant. “I’m not really a very
interesting person,” he said. “I’m just an old retired guy who goes birding a
lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Birders in
the Chicago region view him differently. To us, Al is a fountain of
information. His daily journal entries, composed after his morning adventures, are
posted on the birding list-serv known as IBET, short for Illinois Birders
Exchanging Thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The reports
tell us where Al went today, what he saw, what he missed and who he ran into. We
learn about places to visit, best times to go and what to expect. And through
Al’s words, we experience the ups and downs of the hobby we love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each post begins
with “Hello Bird People” and ends with his Bird of the Day award. Occasionally,
he’ll declare a Fancy Pants Bird of the Day, an honor reserved for a
particularly striking bird that catches his eye. Mammal sightings, fast food
preferences and unusual license plates may get a mention, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Vietnam
vet with a master’s degree in early modern European history from Northwestern,
Al spent his entire working career at DoALL Sawing Products in Des Plaines (now
Wheeling). His job involved “getting reports out and distributed to the proper
people.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hearing that
made perfect sense. At 75, Al is still reporting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEHzC09AFBE/YCxLBSzsuoI/AAAAAAAABZo/-5DI-jVgMCIukuuEqZlLVS39NMJkBLQtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Al%2BStokie%2Bsecondary%2Bshot.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEHzC09AFBE/YCxLBSzsuoI/AAAAAAAABZo/-5DI-jVgMCIukuuEqZlLVS39NMJkBLQtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Al%2BStokie%2Bsecondary%2Bshot.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Al Stokie scans the open water at Hidden Lake, looking <br />for something special among the Canada geese and<br />mallards. "You can't have a kiskadee every day," he said.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The year he
retired, 2013, Al purchased a Prius C that now sports 135,000 miles, reflective
of his Iron Man birding ethic. Rain and snow may alter his plans, but he still
goes birding—some days solo and other days with a friend or two.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“What I like
most is searching for whatever birds I may find. Every day is different!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ah yes, the
search. I can feel birders nodding their heads. Most of us love that aspect of birdwatching,
especially when a rare species comes to town.<i> </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What sets Al
apart, besides dogged persistence, is his humble acceptance of whatever a new
day of birding may bring. He’s a master of finding little things to celebrate. Last
month, he went out of his way to track down a reported killdeer—a common
shorebird that’s quite <i>uncommon</i> in January. He recognized the
significance of that bird and had to go see it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Almost a
year ago, in early March, Al challenged himself to see how many kinds of ducks
he could find in a single day, touring the Palos area. His best-case scenario,
with luck, was 20 species. He found them all, and his post-game report offered
a fascinating lesson in bird-finding strategy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rarities, of
course, get Al excited just like the rest of us. He often plans his birding
around sightings gleaned the night before from IBET, eBird or messages from his
birding buddies. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I may want
to chase a rarity but if there are none [being reported] then I might try a
place I haven’t been in a while or check a place that should be good for a
certain species at that time of year.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iev1-xrrH20/YCxMeFExbGI/AAAAAAAABZ0/IP0QS74xqfUIDAdiY0VuKybpXZXsJCiHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/American%2BRedstart%2Bby%2BJackie%2BBowman.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iev1-xrrH20/YCxMeFExbGI/AAAAAAAABZ0/IP0QS74xqfUIDAdiY0VuKybpXZXsJCiHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/American%2BRedstart%2Bby%2BJackie%2BBowman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">American Redstart by Jackie Bowman</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes
his destination is a no-brainer, as it was on December 6, 2020, when Al made a beeline
to Channahon for a mega-rare great kiskadee reported the day before. That bird
became Al’s 400<sup>th</sup> species for Illinois, a milestone that only nine other
birders have achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Al didn’t
begin serious birding until 1985, but he recalls two formative sightings in the
late 1970s, both in Des Plaines. The first was a male American redstart, a
colorful member of the warbler family. Al was impressed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The other bird
was a tiny owl in a tree. After seeing it, Al spent a half hour walking back to
his car and drove home (another half hour) to retrieve his camera. He then returned
to the bird, which fortunately hadn’t moved. He took photos and later figured
out it was a saw-whet owl.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qStF0brbFjs/YCxOf34wZWI/AAAAAAAABag/-NfwKZ-zsUgjbMSa2qcsxNfh1KKgc_6SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4000/Saw-whet%2BOwl%2Bby%2BPhilip%2BDunn.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2666" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qStF0brbFjs/YCxOf34wZWI/AAAAAAAABag/-NfwKZ-zsUgjbMSa2qcsxNfh1KKgc_6SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Saw-whet%2BOwl%2Bby%2BPhilip%2BDunn.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw-whet Owl by Philip Dunn</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: right;"></span><span style="font-family: arial; mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: right;">If anything was a spark bird, that was it," he told me. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">These days,
Al has a particular fondness for shorebirds, a category offering significant ID
challenges. He’s good at telling them apart but firmly denies being an expert. “They’re
big enough to see well and they aren’t as flighty as warblers,” he said,
explaining his attraction.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Something
else needed explanation: his lack of cellphone. Can a man who seeks rare birds not
own such an essential tool?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I’ve been
with birders who get calls and messages every 10 minutes and I’d rather not go
through that. I know that I miss some information about sightings but so be
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Al isn’t against
technology; he just prefers to be off the grid while birding. I find that admirable,
but not half as much as his eagerness to share what he sees and learns. Reading
his stuff can make you a better birder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Little wonder
that Al is beloved within the birding community. That won’t change, but his daily
regimen probably will. He talks about slowing down due to mobility issues. The
Prius is fine, his legs are not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fortunately,
there are many ways to bird—phones are optional, and so are long hikes! Al might
finally spend some time watching his yard. I’ll be reading those reports, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">To join the
IBET network, a free service, send an email to </span><a href="mailto:ilbirds+subscribe@googlegroups.com"><span style="line-height: 107%;">ilbirds+subscribe@googlegroups.com</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2021 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></span><p></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-81274823782660557222020-12-17T07:04:00.002-06:002020-12-17T07:04:56.073-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1487" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-791mO3QB7cU/X9k4kUe-daI/AAAAAAAABWA/a2BM5dYEq8M-nmkG7G1GHxvFdBWNbr6pwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Great%2BKiskadee%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">First in Illinois: This great kiskadee attracted birders from throughout</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">the Midwest to Will County earlier this month. Photo by Matt Misewicz.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-791mO3QB7cU/X9k4kUe-daI/AAAAAAAABWA/a2BM5dYEq8M-nmkG7G1GHxvFdBWNbr6pwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1487/Great%2BKiskadee%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>What a year for birders!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Watchers in 2020 enjoyed relief from pandemic stress and a
flurry of rare sightings</span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">(published 12-17-20)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxtkoMK8eeo/X9k-CMBfn-I/AAAAAAAABXU/rsjNpVEG0Go-HwnFZWFR5ZdnD725n2nbgCPcBGAYYCw/s2000/Kiskadee%2Bbirders%2Bby%2BRyan%2BJones%2B12-5-20.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxtkoMK8eeo/X9k-CMBfn-I/AAAAAAAABXU/rsjNpVEG0Go-HwnFZWFR5ZdnD725n2nbgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Kiskadee%2Bbirders%2Bby%2BRyan%2BJones%2B12-5-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">The scene along Front Street in Channahon as dozens of <br />birders wait for a glimpse of the great kiskadee.<br />Photo by Ryan Jones.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">You probably heard about “Rocky,” the saw-whet owl
discovered last month inside the huge Christmas tree on Rockefeller Plaza in New
York. The adorable stowaway became an instant star, giving the Big Apple and nation
a welcome feel-good story. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Around the same time, local birders found their own saw-whet
to fawn over at Morton Arboretum. But a far more unexpected traveler would soon
arrive in Channahon—a great kiskadee found by John Weisgerber on December 2.
The species, a first record for Illinois, normally resides in South Texas and
Mexico. Hundreds of birders scurried to the Des Plaines Widewaters Conservation
Area in Will County for a peek, including me. </span><span style="font-family: arial; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">The “Miracle on Front Street” brought the curtain down on a birding
year full of surprises. Well, not quite. A week later, in almost the same spot,
a western tanager turned up, reported by Niklas Klauss. It was Channahon’s
third rarity in three weeks, a hot streak that began with a Eurasian wigeon in
late November. You guessed it: The fancy duck was right about where the
kiskadee, and later the tanager, would soon appear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGJrAaNPtMQ/X9k6t3ugghI/AAAAAAAABWc/lFnY_tF7Vw0ClEQ7o1rw-ZyCPpimKDHUACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Western%2BTanager%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz%2Bsm.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGJrAaNPtMQ/X9k6t3ugghI/AAAAAAAABWc/lFnY_tF7Vw0ClEQ7o1rw-ZyCPpimKDHUACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/Western%2BTanager%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz%2Bsm.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">One week after the kiskadee's arrival, birders<br /> rushed back to Channahon to see this dazzling<br />western tanager. Photo by Matt Misewicz.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">If birders didn’t know where Channahon was before, they
certainly do now.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Joining the kiskadee as worthy Bird of the Year candidates were
a Townsend’s warbler at Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Cook County (found in
April by Heidi Tarasiuk); black-headed grosbeak in Woodstock (Oct.); and a golden-crowned
sparrow in the Rockford backyard of Dan and Barbara Williams (Nov.). A front
porch rufous hummingbird hosted by the Baier family in Lisle was yet another
December treat.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sightings of these rare b</span><span style="font-family: arial;">irds, combined with flexible work
schedules and low gas prices, created a perfect storm for bird chasers. In
2020, homebound enthusiasts needed few excuses to hit the highway.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Indeed, the pandemic changed how we bird. We wore face
coverings, did less carpooling and tried our best to social distance on the trails.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Perhaps the biggest change brought about by the virus was
more birders, especially backyard watchers. Many came to realize that feeding
birds is a pleasant diversion. Keeping a yard list became a thing—a fun
challenge for all ages and a solid remote learning activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dt2Q3DGyPNg/X9k9ya4HqxI/AAAAAAAABXQ/X5AjXXtTVv47ajMj_GhTl2fjofsnNYVlwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Evening%2BGrosbeak%2Bby%2BJosh%2BEngel.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dt2Q3DGyPNg/X9k9ya4HqxI/AAAAAAAABXQ/X5AjXXtTVv47ajMj_GhTl2fjofsnNYVlwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Evening%2BGrosbeak%2Bby%2BJosh%2BEngel.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">An evening grosbeak could visit </span><i style="text-align: left;">your</i><span style="text-align: left;"> house <br />this winter, too! They usually travel in flocks.<br />Photo by Josh Engel/Red Hill Birding.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><span style="font-family: arial;">For newbies and veterans alike, at home and in the field, it
was an extraordinary year to be a birder. Not only did we have more time for
the hobby, there was a lot to see. Spring migration was sick with warblers,
followed by an early summer yellow-billed cuckoo fest fueled by a major cicada
hatch. Spotting or at least hearing a cuckoo was never easier.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fall proved especially rich. In late October, reports of
evening grosbeaks poured in throughout the region—almost unheard of in these
parts. Just the thought of one landing on my sunflower feeder is exciting, and currently
it’s a real possibility!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other “winter finches” have invaded as well, namely common
redpoll, pine siskin, red crossbill and white-winged crossbill. Red-breasted
nuthatch is back, too. All are nomadic species from the north that don’t come
around every year. This will be an entertaining winter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span><span style="font-family: arial;">County highlights<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Space limitations force me to pick and choose, but a county-by-county
listing of notable bird sightings shows the remarkable avian diversity that Chicagoland
birders encountered in 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ml704fnwmE/X9lA1lRor6I/AAAAAAAABXw/CGeg_g79_qQ8Tyfq_JaIY7_QuhiXEvY9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Rufous%2BHummingbird%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ml704fnwmE/X9lA1lRor6I/AAAAAAAABXw/CGeg_g79_qQ8Tyfq_JaIY7_QuhiXEvY9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Rufous%2BHummingbird%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Two rufous hummingbirds—one in Lisle and this one in <br />Naperville—thrilled DuPage birders in early December. <br />Photo by Matt Misewicz.<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">DuPage: black-bellied whistling duck; cattle egret; cerulean,
hooded, Kentucky, prairie, yellow-throated and worm-eating warblers; eared
grebe; golden eagle; lark sparrow; neotropic cormorant; northern mockingbird;
pileated woodpecker; red-shouldered hawk; rufous hummingbird; surf scoter; western
tanager; whooping crane <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kane:<b> </b>American avocet; black-necked stilt; black
scoter; black tern; Connecticut, Kirtland’s and prairie warblers; Eurasian tree
sparrow; <a name="_Hlk58328398">Hudsonian godwit;</a> northern goshawk; red-necked
phalarope; ruddy turnstone; Say’s phoebe; western kingbird; whip-poor-will<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cook:<b> </b>black-legged kittiwake;<b> </b>buff-breasted
sandpiper; Cassin’s sparrow; Franklin’s gull; great-tailed grackle; harlequin
duck; Harris’s sparrow; hoary redpoll; lark bunting; little gull; painted
bunting; parasitic jaeger; piping plover (Monty and Rose returned to Montrose
Beach, fledging three chicks!); purple gallinule; red knot; red-necked grebe;
red-throated loon; Sabine’s gull; Say’s phoebe; snowy egret; snowy owl; Swainson’s
hawk; Townsend’s warbler; varied thrush; western grebe; whimbrel;
whip-poor-will; white-faced ibis<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCd08jIFb0A/X9k9nUPtHYI/AAAAAAAABXI/yxqN3uIvT1INIg3hjbRCUMKnI-TRmGyFQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Black-headed%2BGrosbeak%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCd08jIFb0A/X9k9nUPtHYI/AAAAAAAABXI/yxqN3uIvT1INIg3hjbRCUMKnI-TRmGyFQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Black-headed%2BGrosbeak%2Bby%2BMatt%2BMisewicz.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">In October, a generous homeowner in Woodstock permitted <br />birders to view this black-headed grosbeak, a rare visitor <br />from the West. </span>Photo by Matt Misewicz.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Lake:<b> </b>black-necked stilt; black vulture;
buff-breasted sandpiper; harlequin duck; Kentucky warbler (in December!); loggerhead
shrike; marbled godwit; Mississippi kite; purple sandpiper; scissor-tailed
flycatcher; snowy owl<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Will:</span><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b><span style="font-family: arial;">black-bellied whistling duck; black-necked
stilt; cattle egret; Eurasian wigeon; great kiskadee; Hudsonian godwit; western
tanager; yellow-crowned night heron</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">McHenry:<b> </b>black-headed grosbeak; black tern; common
gallinule; lark sparrow; red-necked phalarope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, a shout-out to Kendall County, which produced a
Townsend’s solitaire last January at Silver Springs State Park, the first
rarity of 2020. Doesn’t that seem like five years ago?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">When luck and skill collide<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Congratulations to Isoo O’Brien for shattering the Big Year
record for Cook County of 281 species. He did it with a common redpoll on
October 30. The Evanston high school senior likens birding to a treasure hunt,
and I couldn’t agree more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scF8cG2f-wY/X9k93eoQhlI/AAAAAAAABXY/u5Ko_VXIL489x7MgHRLO7skg_Kts2ruNgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Townsend%2527s%2BWarbler%2Bby%2BScott%2BLatimer.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Hundreds of birders with spring fever pursued this <br />Townsend's warbler in a Cook County forest preserve.<br />Photo by Scott Latimer.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The all-time Illinois Big Year record of 334 species also
fell, but at press time it was unknown what the new record would be, and who
would set it. Nathan Goldberg had 340 species with Steve Huggins just one bird
behind. Their lists were identical except for the Geneva Kirtland’s warbler in
May; Nathan got it, Steve did not.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scF8cG2f-wY/X9k93eoQhlI/AAAAAAAABXY/u5Ko_VXIL489x7MgHRLO7skg_Kts2ruNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1558/Townsend%2527s%2BWarbler%2Bby%2BScott%2BLatimer.JPG"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Springbrook Prairie steward Joe Suchecki witnessed the first
successful sandhill crane nesting at the Naperville preserve. He also
registered species No. 240 at Springbrook when a flock of 22 evening grosbeaks
flew over on November 6. Joe said he hadn’t seen evening grosbeaks in Illinois
since 1996.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Illinois Ornithological Society made the most of a
stay-at-home spring by holding a Backyard Big Day competition in April. Some
200 households from 34 counties participated. IOS followed up with a Big Sit
tournament in September that raised $5,000 for bird-related causes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Illinois Audubon Society purchased 40 acres within the
Prairie Ridge State Natural Area in Jasper County, protecting additional
habitat for greater prairie-chickens.<b><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival was cancelled but still
won the Mindful Birding Award for its devotion to ethical birding and bird
conservation. The 2021 fest is on for May 13-16. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtvhmDObz9U/X9k9hn_ZxNI/AAAAAAAABXA/EuMjoJCOeQkwZhcdayXyUYoPeKHqXSm5ACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Hudsonian%2BGodwit%2Bby%2BPat%2BAndersen.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtvhmDObz9U/X9k9hn_ZxNI/AAAAAAAABXA/EuMjoJCOeQkwZhcdayXyUYoPeKHqXSm5ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Hudsonian%2BGodwit%2Bby%2BPat%2BAndersen.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Birders had several opportunities in 2020 to witness <br />Hudsonian godwit, a rare shorebird. This one visited<br /> a small roadside "fluddle" in Will County, in late May. <br />Photo by Pat Andersen.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">The grand opening of the International Crane Foundation’s
updated campus in Baraboo, Wis., also was called off. They’ll try again on May
1, 2021.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Black birders matter<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rocky the owl made us smile. Another New Yorker made us
cringe. You surely heard about the ugly incident in Central Park last May, when
a white dogwalker confronted Black</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> birdwatcher Christian Cooper,
falsely accusing him of threatening violence. A video of the encounter
attracted 30 million views.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It wasn’t about birding, of course, but it did create
high-profile exposure for the hobby. Black Birders Week took flight in June, a
first-time awareness campaign to encourage birding by people of color.</span><span style="font-family: arial; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Worth mentioning, too, is the “Bird Names for Birds”
movement. The idea, now gaining momentum, is to assign new names to birds currently
named after people. Some of the individuals, history shows, were racist in
their actions and beliefs. Some were slave owners. In August, McCown’s longspur
was officially reclassified as thick-billed longspur. Expect more such changes.
About 150 North American birds are named for people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Checking my notes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hU2vqemrxVs/X9qAV7Fc7MI/AAAAAAAABYM/vj9dos5PhQQ4QHqXIrYVLg3JYYfwPZ0xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s499/Kenn%2BKaufman%2Bbook%2Bcover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hU2vqemrxVs/X9qAV7Fc7MI/AAAAAAAABYM/vj9dos5PhQQ4QHqXIrYVLg3JYYfwPZ0xgCLcBGAsYHQ/w134-h200/Kenn%2BKaufman%2Bbook%2Bcover.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ll remember 2020 for many things but the sweetest memories
involve birding. May 15 produced my finest day of backyard birding ever, with 47
species. One was a worm-eating warbler, only the second of my life! Northern
waterthrush also joined my all-time yard list that day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Spotting a backyard “wormie” is hard to top, but finally getting
my lifer Kentucky warbler was my best birding moment. A big assist goes to Joan
Campbell for helping me find it at Greene Valley, where dozens of other birders
enjoyed it, too. Kentucky’s are not usually so cooperative! I guess it was just
my turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="font-family: arial;">I read 33 books in 2020, the best one about birding being
Kenn Kaufman’s “A Season on the Wind.” Two more goodies wait on my nightstand: Sibley’s
latest, “What It’s Like to Be a Bird,” and Ted Floyd’s “How to Know the Birds.”</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Best new beer? Piping Plover Pale Ale, of course, launched
by Imperial Oak Brewing (Willow Springs) in August. I’m raising one now, in a
toast. Here’s to 2020, a difficult year made better by exciting birds and fun
birding adventures. And to a brighter year ahead. Maybe I’ll see you in
Channahon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright 2020 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</span></i></p><p></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8022422.post-10167159687884667652020-11-04T10:33:00.030-06:002020-12-16T15:57:30.927-06:00<div style="text-align: left;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS3DG3qZshI/X6LQ5xq96iI/AAAAAAAABUQ/cjrL0cbVjggS1LyDl-fVoGY72gS8ftZpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1124/Gracie%2BMcMahon%2B2019.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS3DG3qZshI/X6LQ5xq96iI/AAAAAAAABUQ/cjrL0cbVjggS1LyDl-fVoGY72gS8ftZpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Gracie%2BMcMahon%2B2019.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie McMahon, 2020 ABA <br />Young Birder of the Year.<br /><i>Photo by Kristine McMahon</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Young birders who care</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(published 11-4-20)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those of us working through the COVID-19 era may be tiring
of video conference calls. It’s easy to get Zoomed out, dreading the next
“virtual” meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But a Zoomer about birding? That’s different. I couldn’t
wait to log on for the 2020 Illinois Young Birder Virtual Symposium.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The recent Saturday morning confab was time well spent and
ended with a flourish as keynote speaker Kenn Kaufman addressed the kids and
took their questions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kaufman tuned in for the entire symposium, listening to the
presentations by some of our state’s top young birders and sharing his own
perspectives in small doses. There is no bigger fan (and coach) of youth
birding than Double K, one of the hobby’s rock stars. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The symposium is an annual gathering for Illinois Young
Birders, a birding club for kids, teens and young adults ages 9 to 18. Administered
by the Illinois Ornithological Society, ILYB aims to “foster and ignite a
passion for birding among young people, provide community, promote
conservation, investigate careers in birding, build positive relationships with
other birding groups, and most of all to have fun!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The fun part is easily achieved through monthly field trips
to birding hotspots around the state, primarily in the Chicago region. Of course,
ILYB members are usually birding somewhere every weekend. These kids eat, sleep
and bird, and their field identification skills often surpass those of their
elders. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql-400Utsnk/X6MrosiBAMI/AAAAAAAABVU/fENFp8IGOiUGlcuoLDazou-o2PFWJNU8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1145/Yellow%2BRocks.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1145" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql-400Utsnk/X6MrosiBAMI/AAAAAAAABVU/fENFp8IGOiUGlcuoLDazou-o2PFWJNU8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Yellow%2BRocks.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie McMahon's hand-painted bird rocks <br />served a conservation and public awareness <br />purpose in the Rockford area. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">The symposium showcased other skills, including sketching,
painting and photography. A slideshow of member artwork and photos played to a soundtrack
that included “Birding” by the Swet Shop Boys, a tune worthy of your
investigation.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier this year, one of the symposium participants, 14-year-old
Gracie McMahon from Rockford, was named 2020 Young Birder of the Year by the
American Birding Association. Her presentation to ILYB summarized her contest
entry, including required elements focusing on conservation and community action.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2019, Gracie launched a public outreach project in which
she hand-painted 52 rocks with different species of birds. Each rock was
numbered, with a message on the back: “What bird is this?” along with
sandbluff.org, the website of the Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">where Gracie
volunteers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuM32jfWegc/X6LP02dUVsI/AAAAAAAABUE/9nus_zvgVdcSMDU2TzsoddDe4xZb342ggCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Snowy%2BOwl%2Bby%2BStephen%2BHurst.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuM32jfWegc/X6LP02dUVsI/AAAAAAAABUE/9nus_zvgVdcSMDU2TzsoddDe4xZb342ggCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Snowy%2BOwl%2Bby%2BStephen%2BHurst.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Snowy Owl painting by Stephen Hurst</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">The rocks were placed throughout the Rockford area for
random people to find. The finders could then go online to watch a video about
their bird and receive an invitation to visit Sand Bluff. Gracie and other SBBO
volunteers created a short video for all 52 birds.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“My project wasn’t for people who were already interested in
birds,” Gracie said. “It was for people who knew nothing about them and weren’t
aware that birds need our help. Hopefully now they are, and they will continue
to expand the birding community.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other symposium presenters were Peter Tolzmann, speaking
about the human impact on birds; John Fabrycky on birding in Israel; and Oliver
Burrus sharing insights about data science and “machine learning.” Part of
Oliver’s talk covered iNaturalist, a useful app for helping ID virtually any
living thing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kaufman closed the event with an inspiring talk that reached
beyond birding to show how everything in nature is connected. The kids were
mesmerized, the way Little Leaguers would be if Anthony Rizzo showed up to
their baseball practice. Everyone on the Zoom, it seemed, had read Kaufman’s “Kingbird
Highway” at least once. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rdyqp06fGw/X6LWQKPKQnI/AAAAAAAABU4/lQnI3gwUnnskMH0gEU_5UEqtPA9o_SG6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/White-eyed%2BVireo%2Bby%2BSimon%2BTolzmann.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rdyqp06fGw/X6LWQKPKQnI/AAAAAAAABU4/lQnI3gwUnnskMH0gEU_5UEqtPA9o_SG6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/White-eyed%2BVireo%2Bby%2BSimon%2BTolzmann.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-eyed Vireo by Simon Tolzman<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">“Birds unite us,” he said, and “Birds will lead you to
everything else in nature.”<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kaufman reflected on growing up in Indiana and how, at age
6, he learned to put a name on the blackbirds grazing in his yard. They were
common grackles and European starlings—not the most exciting “spark birds,” he
admits, but they were enough. The challenge of finding other birds to identify hooked
him on birding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not surprisingly, as a teen, Kaufman’s favorite book was
“Wild America,” the classic bird-finding travelogue by Roger Tory Peterson and James
Fisher, published in 1955. A few of the ILYB members had read it as well, which
thoroughly impressed me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kaufman wrapped up his virtual visit with a call to action,
encouraging everyone to share their knowledge and passion with others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“We don’t have to make people into rabid birders,” he said. “If
you can get them to care about birds, to have some interest, then they are
likely to support bird conservation in the future. We need a lot more people
like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The message resonated but was hardly necessary. Not with
this group. Young birders, the serious ones, are among the hobby’s best
ambassadors. We need a lot more of them, too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Visit illinoisyoungbirders.org to learn more and perhaps buy
a membership ($10) for the future ornithologist in your life.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Copyright 2020 by Jeff Reiter. All rights reserved.</i></span></p>Birdmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09788659740621529247noreply@blogger.com