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February 10, 2016
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center – St. Charles
KCA President, Bob Andrini, welcomed new
members, guests, and regular members to the December meeting of Kane
County Audubon. Some of the people
in attendance for the first time were members and associates of the
Illinois Young Birders’ Association and came to hear this evening’s
speaker, Josh Engel. Some of the new attendees came from Newark, Evanston,
and Sleepy Hollow.
Sightings:
Eastern Bluebirds, Snowy Owl, three
Short-eared Owls, approx. 30 Common Redpoll, Trumpeter and Mute swans,
Bald Eagles, Snow Goose, approximately 250 American Robins, Coopers Hawk,
possible grackle sighting, Long-tailed duck, a toucan of unknown species.
Check the Kane County Audubon website
for current sightings.
New Business:
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Anyone who brought stamps to donate to the
IAS land acquisition program received 2 free raffle tickets.
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Membership applications can be found on the
table in the hall.
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Jon Duerr reported on Fermi Circle
Christmas Bird Count: (December 19th).
80 species counted, 105 participants, unusual species: Long-eared Owls,
Eastern Screech Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl.
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Tim Balassie reported on Big Rock Circle
Christmas Bird Count: (December 20th).
72 species counted; lots of American Crows, Gray Catbird, Northern
Saw-whet Owl, Yellow-rumped warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Horned Larks. 30
participants, 40 miles walking, 179 miles driving.
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The Great Backyard Bird Count dates are
February 12th
– 15th. Count birds
at or away from your home and report the results on Bird Source.org.
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February 14th
KCA is sponsoring a bird count at Hickory Knolls from 12pm to 4pm. Contact
Bob Andrini if you are interested in volunteering to count birds at the
feeders. A bird walk is possible if a number of people attend.
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Jerry Hope asked how many in attendance
have ever seen a bobcat because the state of Illinois is considering
allowing hunting of Bobcats. Since there are those in Illinois who thing
bobcat numbers have recovered to the point where they can be hunted,
Western Illinois University is currently doing a survey of bobcat numbers
and to date have found no bobcats. Tom Clay cannot interact with the DNR
on this problem because IAS is currently trying to work with the DNR on
other matters. Jerry appealed to the membership to contact their Illinois
representatives to stop the hunting of bobcats.
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On Wednesday, February 17th,
7pm. Rich and Marion Miller are presenting a program on the Chimney Swift
at the Batavia Public Library.
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Jackie Bowman showed the raffle items.
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Due to ill health, John Janunas had to
cancel his presentation at tonight’s meeting. We wish John well.
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Josh Engle advised that the Illinois Young
Birders’ Assoc. is sponsored by IOS. Cost to join, $10. Monthly field
trips are held and planned.
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Bob asked Paul Mayer what the current
status is on Prairie Green Wetland, since Geneva was planning on giving
it up. No information yet.
Presentation:
Josh Engle, a world class birder, and
associate in the ornithological department of the Field Museum, presented
"Tales From the Bird Crypt," an overview of the bird collection at the
museum. Josh is currently planning a trip to Africa for 2017….contact him
if you are interested.
Treats:
Barb Rask, Margaret Mechtenberg, Alison
Richards, Carol Ludemann, Tami Zuck.
Walks and events:
February 12 - 15: Great Backyard Bird Count
February 20: Meet at McDonald’s of
Sugar Grove. 7:30AM. Destination to be advised.
February 27: LeRoy Oakes, 8AM, Chris
Madsen
March 5: Nelson Lake, 8AM, Terry Murray
March 9:
Meeting - "Living Among the Dead; Cemetery
Wildlife." 7PM, Hickory Knolls.
Raffle: Suet and suet holder,
soap and lotion set, peanut feeder, Valentine candy with
hummingbird/Cornell mug, Valentine candy and Red-breasted Nuthatch coaster
set, music box with soap and a $20 gift card to Colonial Café, XL bird
sweatshirt, handmade suet feeder, niger seed with feeder sock.
Adjournment: Nancy Schnaitman,
secretary. |