It is sure hard to believe another spring migration is upon us. This newsletter will be out about the same time that the warbler migration is at its peak – I hope you get out to enjoy it (Kath and I are trying).
New on the KCA agenda are weekly rambles for members who are available during the week for short walks at different places around Kane County – if you have the time come join us. Our web site continues to be a pleasure to look at – it is continually updated with information about new birds, new activities, and ever changing pictures to look at. The KCA internet ‘bird alert’ helps to keep us informed of newly arriving birds species that are noteworthy (if you are not a member, let me know and I’ll add you to the list). During the summer our meetings become field trips to local forest preserves – these all start at 6 PM, but many members come at 5:30 with supper – these excursions are always enjoyable, and sometimes we are surprised by the avian sights we see. This summer we will visit Hannaford Woods, LeRoy Oakes, and Lone Grove. Just a reminder, our Potluck Dinner in September always has ‘picture/slide’ night where members share their pictures with the membership – plan now and take some nature pictures to show at the meeting.
A very special outing will take place from September 29 to October 1st. KCA will head up to Crex Meadow in Wisconsin to check out some great birding territory. Read about the trip in this newsletter.
THE JOYS OF A JOURNAL
Submitted by Jon Duerr
A review of my daily journal reveals I saw 231 bird species in Kane County during 2005. That contrasts with 249 species seen in 2004. Six of the species seen in 2005 were not observed the year before. However, 24 birds seen in 2004 were not found in 2005! My enjoyment of birding has been greatly increased by recording sightings and activities.
I have kept track of various natural history events for the past 25 years, but I did not note things on a daily basis. When I found an unusual plant or bird or when a strong storm would blow in, I would write about it. When I review these past notes, I find I am more consistent during the winter months than in spring or summer. In 2000 I decided to take the time each day and record birds seen. The day’s weather was an easy (now important) addition. Later I added a plant or unusual observation, but not everyday. With the passage of 6 years, I have a nice record of Kane County bird observations.
I use an 8 ½ x 11 inch bound sketchbook, which has about 190 pages. I keep it at home and record notes at the end of the day. Often I will take a small notebook in the field, and then transcribe notes into the journal. Here is an example of an entry:
Apr. 6 (2002 year only at top of page), Sun 28-42 li N wind.
Beautiful but cool – worked in yard.
Burnidge (FP)- 35 Ring-necked Ducks, 7 L. Scaup, pair Blue-winged teal, 5 Gadwall, pair Hooded Merganser, 30 Mallards, 3 Pied-billed Grebes, 1 Snow Goose, 75 Canada’s. At least 9 Phoebes were hawking over water, would fly but quickly return to perch. Tree Swallows over water, 3 drake Wood Ducks, Turkey Vulture – Fox River Bluff 3:45
Please note this wasn’t a complete list of all the birds seen (no Mourning Doves or Cardinals?) but at least any new or unusual things were noted. I have since added the Audubon Checklist cards for the monthly listings of all species.
I recommend to you to record your outings and observations in some form of journal. I know it will add a great deal to your birding pleasures.
FIELD TRIP REPORTS
February 11: Gull Frolic (Jane McMillan)
A small group went to Winthrop Harbor to enjoy the specialty of the house “Gull Stew” and add a few new gull species to their life lists. It is the best conditions a birder could hope for – hot coffee, fresh donuts and a gull expert every way you looked. All of this in the warmth of the Winthrop harbor Yacht Club. Some of the birds that were sighted: Old Squaw (so close you didn’t need binoculars); Greater and Lesser Scaup; Redheads; Buffleheads; Greater and Lesser Black-backed and Thayer’s Gulls; and of course the ubiquitous Canada Goose and Mallards. Walter Marcisz presented a program on “Identification of Winter ducks at Winthrop Harbor”. The program was very well done explaining many details, going back to previous pictures to let you see the comparison. He encouraged audience participation and comments. His program was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. This program seems to draw in many very knowledgeable birders that are willing to share all their experience with us.
February 11: Mississippi River Bald Eagles (Jerry Hope)
Nine adventurers and the writer headed west hoping to find Bald Eagles and a Pileated Woodpecker along the Iowa side of the Mississippi River. We had a great birding day, as we saw over 50 Bald Eagles and 26 other bird species. We did not find a Pileated Woodpecker, but we heard one and saw the beginning of a new nest hole. It would be hard to miss the large almost rectangular hole and large wood chips of the Pileated. As usual, the Tri-city Audubon Societies feeding station on Credit Island proved to be a great spot to see feeding birds. This year we started out an hour earlier so we had time to check out new locations. Two of these were Eagle Landings Park and Pigeon Creek Park. Both produced Eagles and at Eagle Landings we had a Bald Eagle and a Belted Kingfisher in the scope at the same time (a real life Mutt and Jeff). At an attempt to find a new access to the river, we ended up in a residential area where we found feeders and an early flock of 50 or more Brown-headed Cowbirds. Stopping at The Boat House for lunch gave us a chance to eat and watch eagles fly by while talking a mile a minute. As we headed home, we all agreed that we should make the effort to return in late April or early May to this unique birding area.
March 11: Fabyan Forest Preserve (Jon Duerr)
Eleven members of the Kane County Audubon walked the bicycle trails on the east and west sides of the preserve. The outing observed 35 species of birds including a Yellow-rumped Warbler, 2 Eastern Bluebirds and a very early Eastern Phoebe. An added treat were the beautiful display of Winter Aconites and Snowdrops in the Japanese Garden.
March 25: S.E.B.A. PARK (Jane McMillan)
Eight KCA members met on a sunny morning with hopes of spying a few spring migrants. Before we left the parking lot we were treated to a pair of Cooper’s Hawks making a nest and calling to each other. The behavior was so interesting that we could not tear ourselves away to begin the walk. The pair seemed to be oblivious to our group watching their every move. One would fly across the river and disappear while the other would pick up sticks for the nest then just sit on one of the lower branches of a nearby tree.
We continued our walk seeing an E. Phoebe that seemed interested in the area by the bathrooms where a Phoebe nested last year… the same one .. possibly. We continued our walk seeing E. Bluebirds in their brilliant blue summer dress and Yellow-rumped Warblers – a sure sign that spring is in the air. At the end of the walk we had seen about 33 birds and saw another pair of Cooper’s Hawks nesting. It looks as if the spring birds are on the move.
April 15: Freeman Kame ( Jane McMillan)
On a spectacular spring morning we gathered at an often overlooked preserve. We did not get far down the road before spotting Swamp Sparrows chasing each other and enjoying the delights of the swamp. There was a lot of activity in this area probably due to having all the requirements for a bird on the wing to its northern nesting areas: water, bugs, seeds, and other birds and admirerers. We continued our walk with many Ruby-crowned Kinglets scurrying before us and a few Yellow-rumped Warblers. We also checked out Binnie Forest Preserve and Burnidge finding a few new birds at each place and giving us a grand total of 39 species of birds.
INKJET CARTRIDGE RECYCLING
Kane County Audubon is now trying a new form of fundraiser – we are collecting and recycling used inkjet cartridges. Cheryl Hayes has agreed to head up this program. Here are some of the details:
- Empties4cash will pay up to $4.00 per cartridge
- No Epson or Canon BCI cartridges will be accepted
- All inkjet cartridges must have a print head (check out our recycle box at our next meeting if you don’t know what one looks like
- 36,000 organizations nationwide are recycling with Empties4cash, saving about 1 million cartridges from going into landfills
- Kane County will use the monies for different projects throughout the year
- Bring your used cartridges to the next meeting, or save them for a while and let us know how we can get them from you
- Our first collection at the April meeting was very successful
- If you have any questions, call Cheryl (847-428-8388)
EAGLE OPTICS PROGRAM
Submitted by Bob Andrini
Kane County Audubon is now part of a Pro Referral Program sponsored by Eagle Optics of Wisconsin. If you purchase equipment from them, you will receive a discount and KCA will receive a credit. You can receive 10% savings on the following equipment: Eagle Optics brands, Vortex Optics, Audubon Binoculars, Radian Tripods, Sportoculars and masterpiece Collection. All other manufacturer’s items will get you a 5% savings. The Code number is PRP-12. You can contact Eagle Optics by phone (800-289-1132) or by email at information@eagleoptics.com. Many of our members have purchased equipment from Eagle Optics and speak very positively about them.
September 29 through October 1
Submitted by Debbie Kern & John Taylor.
ROAD TRIP!
Destination: Ice Age Trail, New Auburn WI and featured destination CREX Meadow www.crexmeadows.org (Grantsburg, WI).
Weekend highlights for Crex Meadow last year in September included "lots of hawks (Coopers, Sharp-shins, Merlin’s and Peregrines), migrating sparrows and warblers, Pelicans, Burrowing Owl, Sora and Virginia Rails”. Also over 2000 Sandhill Cranes as well as 16 nesting pairs of Trumpeter Swans.
The Ice Age Trail – we will be walking through beautiful forest and lake vistas, anybody’s guess which feathered friends will appear. This location is 6 hours from DeKalb and just 2 hours before our final stop. Crex Meadow will be both walking and driving.
The chow and the lodging have been inspected and approved last year when we scouted out the area. Please join us this year. We will see about reserving a block of rooms at Wood River Inn. You will be responsible for making your own reservations. Contact Debbie Kern and John Taylor (815-754-9042) before 9 PM any day so we can finalize plans - please make contact before September 8th.
SHRUBLAND BIRDING BLITZ
Join members of KCA in the annual birding blitz around Kane County. This year the blitz is to count the ‘birds of the shrubland’. Roger Hotham is coordinating this year's event. If you can identify the following birds: Blue-winged Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Bobwhite, Orchard Oriole, Willow Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, American Redstart, WE NEED YOU!! The Blitz takes place on the day of your choice between June 9 and the 19th. This is a good way to become involved as a citizen scientist in collecting important data. Contact Roger (847-697-7484) for identification of a site that needs monitoring or for more details.
KCA ACTIVITIES
Following are the dates, times and places for our upcoming activities. If there are any questions, please contact either the trip leader or Bob Andrini. Make sure that you dress properly for the trips. Meetings during the summer are all field trip that start at 6 PM. Many members arrive at 5:30 with brown bag dinner. All trips and meetings are open to the public.
June 3: Nelson’s Lake – 8 AM; Rhonda
14: Hannaford Woods – 6 PM; Bob
17: Big Rock FP – 8 AM; Bruce
July 1: Nelson’s Lake – 8 AM; Rhonda
12: LeRoy Oakes FP – 6 PM; Chris
22: SEBA Park – 8 AM; Jane
Aug. 5: Nelson’s Lake – 8 AM; Rhonda
9: Lone Grove FP – 6 PM; Rhonda
Sept: 2: Nelson’s Lake – 8 AM; Rhonda
13: Meeting – Potluck Dinner - 6:30 PM – Peck Farm
29-Oct 1: CREX Meadow trip (see write up in newsletter)
TRIP LEADERS:
Bob: 630-584-8386
Bruce: 630-377-5440
Chris: 630-761-8457
Jane: 847-622-3216
Rhonda: 630-479-1384
KANE COUNTY AUDUBON WEBSITE
Submitted by Chris Madsen
As most everyone knows, our new website has been ‘live’ since March 31st. As of this writing, we’ve had 265 visitors since that launch date. Please note that when visiting the site, the ‘Home’ page (the first page after you enter the site) and the ‘Latest Sightings’ page are updated regularly and are the places where you can find information on the next meeting, the next outing, the latest chapter news, and interestingly, the latest bird sightings reported in Kane County. The ‘President’s Message’, with Bob’s insights and comments, and the ‘Calendar’ of chapter events are updated on a monthly basis. Of course, the locations of all events are linked to maps (which can be scrolled and resized) so you can find your way if you’re unfamiliar with the meeting site. The ‘Newsletter’ can also be referenced, just in case you misplaced your latest issue. Be sure to check out the ‘Photo Gallery’, for constantly changing pictures submitted by members.
With Jerry Hope’s assistance, we’ll soon add to the website a page covering the history of the KCA chapter. And speaking of help, the only way our website can evolve and stay fresh is with your involvement. Please participate with ideas, suggestions, bird sightings, photos and/or stories that you’d like to share. I can be reached at chrism377@sbcglobal.net or I’d be happy to talk to you at (630) 377-0773.
This page last updated Thursday February 12, 2009.
[copyright.htm]