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Fall 2008 Newsletter
A printable (.pdf)
version of this newsletter
can be found
here.
(2008 newsletters can be found
here:
winter,
summer) |
|
FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL BIRDFEEDER
Fall is here
and with it the southern migration of birds (and other animals). As we go to the
streams, ponds, lakes, forest and field looking for birds, once again we join
other birders looking not only for the ‘usual’ migrants, but also those special
birds that cause everyone (at least birders) to have discussion topics for the
cold winter days – who can forget that Sharp-tailed Sandpiper that appeared at
Jon Duerr FP. KCA has events for birders to hone their skills at identification
(well, how about TRYING to identify) those confusing fall warblers and sparrows
of all types – come join us in these walks.
POTLUCK DINNER The September meeting will start with our annual POTLUCK DINNER. Ann Holt-Harris and Debbie Kern will co-chair the event. The food items to be brought will depend on the first letter of your last name: A to F brings a salad: G to L brings a vegetable dish: M to R brings a dessert: S to Z brings a main entrée’s’. If you have any questions please call Ann (630-208-6620). The same evening we will show nature slides, photos or digital images (15 maximum please). The Potluck begins at 6 PM at Peck Farm (Red Barn). The Potluck dinner is going green this year! Please bring your own plate, fork, knife, spoon, napkin and cup. We encourage you to bring items which are not disposable along with nondisposable serving dishes. Also, please be sure to bring a serving spoon for your dish to share. We will be providing drinks. If you have any suggestions or ideas about how we can do our bit for the environment, please let us know.
SPRING BIRD COUNT (Submitted by Jon J. Duerr)
The 36th Illinois Spring Bird Count was almost perfect. The conditions were wonderful with moderate temperatures, low wind (until late in the day) and the sky was clear with only thin clouds in the afternoon. Nineteen teams took to the field and found 158 species, one of the highest Kane County counts. Also, two species were added, having never been seen on counts: Rusty Blackbird and Alder Flycatcher. We also achieved 15 new high counts listed below. It was ‘almost’ a perfect count! The warblers, thrushes and vireos decided to either hide or move on. We had some of the lowest counts in years for some of those species: Palm Warbler 98 when its high was 805. The following are the new high counts with the previous high:
Red-winged Blackbird 3007/2358
NEW MEMBERS (Submitted by Tim Balassie, membership chair) Here is a listing of new members to KCA. If you meet them, welcome them to our organization. Batavia: Richard Rusch Family, Julieanne Zenz East Dundee: Bob Montgomery Elburn: Mark and Deb Satorius Elgin: John Egan, Bill Koch, Debbie Wisser Geneva: Geoff Demmel, Robert Rogers Family Glen Ellyn: Evalyn Campbell Miramar, FL: Ken Schneider St. Charles: Bill Gebhardt Family, Jack Pomatto, Barbara Rask Warrenville: Bob Mathieu
FIELD TRIP REPORTS
March 29: Lake Shabbona/DeKalb County (Debbie Kern) 19 birders began a ramble of DeKalb County at Lake Shabbona on a blustery, cold Saturday for a total count of 53 species. 33 species were seen while in the State Park, 17 of which were waterfowl. Of note were the Red-breasted, Hooded and Common Mergansers, Red Head, Ruddy and Ring-necked Ducks. From Lake Shabbona we headed south to Leland to the business property of Pizzo and Associates. We were graced with a lovely pair of Harriers Hawks and fodder for an educational moment. Is it is Brewer’s or a Rusty Blackbird? Educated through fact, photos and skins during our April meeting, the conclusion was drawn that we did indeed view a Brewer’s! A quick stop along the roadside near Afton Forest Preserve yielded an Am. Widgeon, Am. Kestrel and Shoveler. After lunch at McD’s (no wonder my cholesterol is so high) we enjoyed a sun kissed walk in Wilkonson/Renwick Marsh. The Brewer’s/Rusty discussion continued. Bird songs were plentiful as well the scent of rich wet dirt. As the number of birders dwindled, we continued on to the nature walk behind Michaels on Rt. 23, adding both Red and White-breasted Nuthatches. Assured of a DeKalb delicacy at Ollie’s frozen custard, 9 ‘old coots’ completed a day of birding about 2:30. Mark your calendars, this may prove to be an annual event!
May 17: Big Rock Forest Preserve (Terry Murray) 18 people arrived on a beautiful spring morning with the temperature starting in the upper 50’s. The sun was just beginning to warm the air as we gathered counting numerous birds including Barn Swallows and Baltimore Orioles before we even finished introducing ourselves at the parking lot. Song Sparrows, Redwing Blackbirds and Eastern Bluebirds watched intently as we walked along the bridge which swayed gently as we stopped to gaze at an Eastern Phoebe perched on a bare branch. Indigo Buntings, Eastern Towhees and Scarlet Tanagers were singing their favorite songs as we bonded with them through binocs. Magnolia, Wilson’s, Hooded and Chestnut-sided were among the mixed flocks of warblers that passed energetically as we strained to see them high in the trees. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Lark Sparrows were frolicking along the restored prairie edges as our group passed. Ginny Widrick volunteered to write down the names of the birds identified as we were walking. She stayed quite busy recording 62 different species for the morning. We all had fun with great birding and nice weather shared among friends.
May 31 - June 1: Kirtland Warbler Trip (Paul Mayer)
On Saturday and Sunday, May 31st and June 1st 2008 KCA completed
an exciting trip to Grayling Michigan to see the Kirtland’s Warbler. Exciting
because whenever you get a rare target bird, you get excited. Eight members
joined the trek and included: Bob and Kathy Andrini; Jane McMillan; RaeAnn
Christ; Ruth Meyer; Ed & Marianne Zielezinski; and Paul Mayer. After an early
morning talk by USF&W at the Ramada Inn in Grayling, the group was taken to the
nesting sites among the Jack Pines about six miles from Grayling. Then, almost
as if on cue, the bird appeared and gave everyone great looks. By 8:30 AM it was
over and the group was ready to bird the Grayling area for other northern
specialties. Congratulations to the four members of the group (Ed and Marianne,
RaeAnn and Ruth) who added the Kirtland Warbler to their life lists.
FALL ACTIVITIESFollowing are the dates, times and places for our upcoming activities. If there are any questions, please contact the trip leader or Bob Andrini. Summer meetings change to walks. We meet at the location of the walk at 6 PM. Many members will bring a supper and meet at 5:30 for some socialization and bird talk. The Potluck in September will also start at 6 PM. It is important for participants to dress properly for the walk, and should bring bug spray (just in case).
If you have any questions about any of the above activities, please contact the trip leader or Bob Andrini. All trips start at the location of the walk unless stated otherwise. Make sure that you dress properly for the weather. All meetings are held at the Red Barn at Peck Farm and start at 7 PM except for the Potluck Dinner which starts at 6 PM. All activities are open to the public.
FALL PROGRAMS
September – Once again we will have our annual Pot Luck Dinner.
This event will start at 6 PM at the Red Barn at Peck Farm. See the potluck
section in the newsletter for further details.
GENEVA COURTHOUSE OWLS (Submitted by Tim Balassie) With the interest in the Great Horned Owls at the Geneva Courthouse, KCA formed a committee to watch over the owls and their nest. With that in mind, we have developed a proposal that calls for the active monitoring of the nest to see that it remains amenable to the owls. If needed, the Chapter will repair the existing nest, or replace it with an artificial nest, with the assistance of County personnel. KCA is looking at several nest options. If you have any comments/suggestions about the owls and their safety, please contact Tim B. at 630-513-7345 |
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