Kane County police have posted "emergency stopping only" signs along Randall Road near the eagle nest and are ticketing violators. If you want to view the eagles, please don't park on Randall Road. And, obviously, don't trespass on the Mooseheart property. It is private property. Please view the eagles from Hawk's Bluff Park. Here's a map to the park.

Bryan Hix on 9/5 reported via e-mail: This morning 6:30-8:30am, Burnidge FP:

American Redstart male and female (15+)
Magnolia Warbler (4)
Chestnut-Sided Warbler (1)
Black-throated Green Warbler (female)
Nashville Warbler (2)
Connecticut Warbler (1 chasing off a male Restart)
Eastern Towhee (male, female, and 2 juveniles)
Pectoral Sandpiper (1)
Solitary Sandpiper (1)
Spotted Sandpiper (1)
Least Sandpiper (3)
Lesser Yellowlegs (1)
Nighthawk (several)
Wood Ducks (12+)
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (4)
Catbird (~6)
Robin (dozens)
Eastern Wood Pewee (2)
Eastern Kingbird (1)
Acadian Flycatcher (1)
 

Connecticut Warbler photo courtesy Bryan Hix

Pectoral Sandpiper photo courtesy Bryan Hix

Bryan Hix on 9/4 reported via e-mail: After spending 3 hours at Montrose and the magic hedge this early this morning, I went for a lunchtime walk with my son over at Burnidge FP. We actually had some nice sightings. We saw 3 Chesnut-sided Warblers, 1 male Magnolia Warbler, a Red-Eyed Vireo, 1 Osprey, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Least Sandpiper, 2 Solitary Sandpipers, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and Belted Kingfisher.
 

Red-eyed Vireo photo courtesy Bryan Hix

Ken Schneider on 9/4 reported via e-mail: While holding up the rear of the KCAS bird hikers who circled Nelson Lake this morning, several of us saw an Olive-sided Flycatcher. The entire group also got nice views of a Solitary Sandpiper, Cedar Waxwings, a soaring Red-tailed Hawk, and lots of hummingbirds and goldfinches, among over 30 bird species.
 

Cedar Waxwing photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Ari Shavit on 9/3 reported via IBET: The Buff- breasted Sandpipers that Darrell reported at Dunteman turf [in Kaneville] yesterday were still there today.

Sue Wagoner on 9/3 reported via e-mail: Backyard birding for the past two days has been exciting- many migrating warblers- a few I could not identify, but those I could were: a bunch of American Redstarts (one mature male, the rest female and immature), Blackburnian, Cape May, Black-throated green, several Black and white, a very bright Nashville, and an immature Magnolia (undertail colors helped to ID it). In addition a Swainson's Thrush at my out-of-control pokeweed plant, Eastern peewee, and [an] immature male Cardinal.
I hope the forest preserves are just as active.
 

Magnolia Warbler photo courtesy Sue Wagoner

Darrell Shambaugh on 9/2 reported via IBET: This afternoon there were two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS at Dunteman's Sod Farm in Kaneville (Kane County) this afternoon. The Buffies and a couple hundred KILLDEER, STARLINGS, 2 CROWS, and a couple HORNED LARKS were south of Main Street south of area of cut sod. There was also a flock of TREE SWALLOWS, maybe 35, out in the sod farther south. I think there was standing water there and the Tree Swallows and a few BARN SWALLOWS were there.

Walter Lutz on 9/1 reported via e-mail: 50+ Nighthawks in a group over west Elgin Wednesday evening. Quite a sight.

Bryan Hix on 9/1 reported via e-mail: This evening I walked the Jelkes C.B.S. and saw 4 Great Egrets, 12-15 Kildeer, 5 possible Least sandpipers in the NW end of the park, 100+ Nighthawks (some within 25 yards), 50+ Chimney Swifts, hundreds of dragonflies, and a small flock of Blue-Winged Teal in one of the terraced ponds at the North end.

Marion Miller on 8/30 reported via e-mail: After reading K. Schneider’s 8-27 posts, Rich and I went to check out the east side of Nelson Lake/Dick Young FP on the afternoon of 8-29 and I returned the morning of 8-30. Between both visits were seen: American Redstart, Chickadees, Tennessee Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Catbirds, a single Red-winged Blackbird, Indigo Bunting, House Wren, Hummingbirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpeckers, American Goldfinch, and a Cormorant.
 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak photo courtesy Marion Miller

Sue Wagoner on 8/29 reported via e-mail: I had a wave of some brilliant and very active American Redstarts work my backyard this morning... about 8 of them by the feeders and shrubs and sparring with each other in midair. These "yellowstarts" are female and/or first year males. Also seen seen and heard- (when are they NOT heard?) - a Red-eyed vireo, and "my" persistent hummingbird.
 

American Redstart Photo courtesy Sue Wagoner

Bryan Hix on 8/29 reported via e-mail: Took a drive early this morning to check out my usual spots. Not a lot of activity this morning in most places. However I did drive out west of Hampshire and came back by the Coon Creek Sod Farm for a look. I saw dozens of Kildeer, but noticed another bird amoung them and managed to snap a few quick shots. It was a solo Buff-Breasted Sandpiper, which is a first for me. All the other flooded spots I have been visiting the past couple of weeks are now bone dry. Hopefully we get some rain soon to freshen them up again.
 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper photo courtesy Bryan Hix

Ken Schneider on 8/27 reported via e-mail: This morning, along the east side of Nelson Lake/Dick Young FP, I sighted 35 species, including two small flocks of warblers mixed with chickadees and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers. Warbler species included Magnolia, Tennessee, American Redstart, and over 20 Black-throated Green Warblers. Had a Least Flycatcher at the north corner of the east side trail, and saw at least 4 hummingbirds. Also heard and saw two Swamp Sparrows singing.
 

Black-throated Green Warbler photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Least Flycatcher photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Walt Lutz on 8/26 reported via e-mail: I too, tried my luck at Jelke & Tyler Creek F.P. Thursday morning. Jelke was very quiet so I moved on quickly and found Tyler to be fairly birdy on the lower half by the pavillion. Lots of the usual including a ruby-throated hummingbird and a couple Coopers hawks. A few warblers I couldn't positively i.d.

On a side note, kudos to Dundee Township for the establishment and development Jelke Bird Sanctuary. I think it's going to be a rather special little place in a year or two. Already lots of minnows, frogs, some turtles and many, many dragonflies.

Bryan Hix on 8/25 reported via e-mail: Stopped at Tyler Creek FP this morning and yesterday evening for about an hour each. Very quiet except for Blue Jays, Cardinals, Catbirds, and Chickadees. I was really hoping to spot some migrating warblers. Left there and went to Voyagers Landing FP and saw many Nashville and Yellow Warblers near the last parking lot to the north in the choke cherries and white oaks. There were many more warblers that were difficult to identify with their fall plumage. There were also flocks of Cedar Waxwings, 4 Baltimore Orioles, and Downy and Red-bellied Woodpecks seemingly everywhere. Lastly went by the Jelkes Creek Bird Sanctuary and briefly walked the path by the lot and saw a small flock of Green-Winged Teal, Canada Geese, and an unidentifiable larger shorebird that was flushed and flew over to another one of the ponds.

Pete Moxon on 8/23 belatedly reported via phone: On August 17 and 18 at Tyler Creek FP in Elgin, Pete had a total of 14 species of warblers: Wilson's, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, 35 - 40 Tennessee, Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Blackpoll, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Bay-breasted, Nashville, Redstart, Magnolia, and Chestnut-sided. All were seen on the upper level of the preserve. Said he has never seen this many warbler species this early in the season.

(This sandpiper ID was changed from a Least to a Baird's) Bryan Hix on 8/22 reported via e-mail: Not a lot of activity in the shorebird category. However, I did find a small fuddle with this Baird's Sandpiper just off Randall north of 90 and a few solitary sandpipers off Tyrell Rd. in Gilberts. Hoping to get out this week to see what other migrants are starting to move south.
 

Baird's Sandpiper photo courtesy Bryan Hix

Solitary Sandpiper photo courtesy Bryan Hix

Jack Pomatto on 8/22 reported via e-mail: I had an interesting sighting on Sunday, 8/22/10 on the west side of Elgin. I saw what seems like a very early group of migrants today. A group of four Red-breasted Nuthatches were feeding enthusiastically this morning in a spruce tree and a variety of other vegetation.

Sue Wagoner on 8/20 reported via e-mail: This Ruby Throated Hummingbird female (or young) has been visiting my yard daily for quite a while, getting quite bold when I am around. Even these little dynamos have to stop and stretch every once in a while!
 

These Ruby-throated Hummingbird photos courtesy Sue Wagoner

Ken Schneider on 8/18 reported via e-mail: During a brief walk at Jones Meadow Park in Batavia this morning, we saw three Warbling Vireos and an immature male Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

On August 16 at this location, in the field at the NE corner of Mooseheart and Deerpaath, we we photographed a color-banded Sandhill Crane that had been banded at six weeks of age in Lake County last year. We are awaiting more information about this bird's history from Jeff Fox, who banded it. It had three bands on each leg: Reading down, green with white letters A, B, H bands on right leg, and yellow-white-silver on left leg. Interestingly, it was a loner, not associated with the two cranes that appear to have been residents in the Jones Meadow wetlands this summer.

According to Brad Semel, Natural Heritage Biologist at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, "the bird was banded on 6/28/2009 at N42 15.606 W87 53.353 in Lake County, IL (you can cut and paste this number into Google Earth and it will take you to the precise banding location). This is actually the site known as Middlefork Savanna. It is a natural area managed by the Lake County Forest Preserve District. The bird weighed 1770g at the time of capture, and was about six weeks of age, just prior to being able to fly. The silver band on the left leg is from the US Fish and Wildlife Service with the number 0679-02076."
 

Warbling Vireo photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Sandhill Crane photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Ken Schneider on 8/17 reported via e-mail: At Les Arends this morning, Mary Lou and I saw lots of robins and waxwings, and got photos of Yellow-throated Warbler and two Tennessee Warblers along the bike trail. We also had a small flock of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers near the last parking lot. The light was very poor for photography. Photos for documentation are on my FLICKR page.
 

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher photo courtesy Ken Schneider

White-breasted Nuthatch photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Ken Schneider on 8/17 reported via e-mail: Chimney Swifts are tending to vociferous chicks in the chimney of our daughter's home in Batavia. I found them almost impossible to photograph as they came in and (especially) out of the chimney on feeding missions. This one was diving down.
 

Chimney Swift photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Marion Miller on 8/15 reported via e-mail: Rich and I went out to Prairie Green, Geneva on 8-15 and saw what we believe is a Black Tern (being novice birders perhaps our ID is off). It looked like a juvenile and was a slender gray/silver bird with long pointed wings, black narrow bill, short black legs, a dark shoulder bar, and a black irregular cap that came around to the side of the eye. The bird was flying, similar to a swallow, but was larger and would swoop over the waters with his head held down. We also saw Egrets, American Coots, Great Blue Heron, and many Swallows in the marsh area. On the way to Prairie Green we took Keslinger and saw 2 juvenile Turkey Vultures in the dead trees at the west end of the field next to the DelNor outpatient buildings on Keslinger.
 

Possible Black Tern photo courtesy Rich Miller

Possible Black Tern photo courtesy Rich Miller

John Heneghan on 8/14 reported via IBET: We have had a pair of hummingbirds around the porch most of the summer. Yesterday we had 5 or 6 hummingbirds at the feeders. I wonder if hummingbirds are starting South?

Julie Long on 8/12 reported via e-mail: I am reporting for my friend, Liz Safanda, who several times this week (Aug.8 week) has seen 2 adult sandhill cranes with a juvenile along Randall Rd in Batavia. They have been on the opposite side of the road from the eagles nest and have been fairly close to the road.

Rich Miller on 8/10 reported via e-mail: Marion and I went to Hawks Bluff the afternoon of 8-8 to view the eagles. We saw both juvenile eagles flying and perching near the nest. Four red-tail hawks, two of them juveniles were seen and heard often. We saw Wood Pewees, Indigo Buntings, Robins, Carolina Chickadees, American Goldfinch and Catbirds by the viewing area. In the wooded areas along the path we say a Downy Woodpecker, Northern flicker, and a White-breasted Nuthatch. The surprise for the outing was a juvenile female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that I spotted circling the trunk of a tree.
 

Val Faupl on 8/9 reported via e-mail: Seen 8/8/10 Sunday afternoon in the area of Rt. 30 pass and Rt 25 in Montgomery flying down the Fox River Southbound to Oswego was a mature Bald Eagle. We used to see the eagles in our area very often in the winter, but then they left us we assumed that these were the ones that began to nest at Mooseheart this spring? We wonder if this eagle was one of the parents coming back to just go for a flight to old stomping grounds?

Scott Cohrs on 8/8 reported via IBET: At about 6 this morning there was a Baird's Sandpiper on the soccer/football fields of West Side Park on Peck Rd. I saw it on the field closest to Peck Rd. under the south goalpost. I did not see it when I was walking back to the car at about 6:30. Perhaps it is the same bird that Beau and Fran saw later in the morning about a half mile south?

I bumped into Pete Moxon when I got back to the parking lot. As we were there talking, an Upland Sandpiper flew over our heads and appeared as though if it was coming down for a landing. We lost it when it came below the skyline, and we never did see it on the soccer field. It may have landed in the taller grass by the pond. I did not walk out there to try and relocate it.

As Beau mentioned, no Western at the flooded soccer field. In fact, that area is drying up quick. I did have a few more shorebirds there early, but nothing unusual. There is obviously some turn-over at this spot.

FYI, this morning I heard of a positive report on the Mottled Duck from earlier this week, which is about 6 days later than the last report I knew of previously. I have checked the original spot several times the last week with no success. However, there are numerous areas south on Peck Rd. that could easily hold that bird, including Prairie Green and the pond at the corner of Peck and Kaneville. I just never have time to check them all.

Beau Schaefer on 8/8 reported via IBET: We...headed out to Scott Cohrs' soccer field fluddle at Peck Rd. and rt. 38. Did not see the western sandpiper. In fact, there were only 4 shorebirds present, but one of them was a nice, buffy BAIRD'S SANDPIPER which gave good looks at its flattened body shape when looking head on at the bird. Also we passed a nice mudflat at Burlington Rd. and Rohrsen Rd. which had a lot of birds and bears watching. Unfortunately, nothing unusual, but good good numbers of PECTORAL and LEAST SANDP'ERS and a few SEMIPALMATED SAND'ERS. 2 GREATER Y'LEGS, a few LESSER Y'LEGS, and 1 SOLITARY SANDP'ER were also present.

Scott Cohrs on 8/6 reported via IBET: This afternoon there was a Western Sandpiper present at the flooded area of the soccer fields on the west side Peck Road, just south of Route 38. There was a small assortment of other species present as well, including a Pectoral, several Semipalmated Sandpipers and several Lesser Yellowlegs.

While the bill was the easiest way to pick this bird out, it still had hints of red in the scaps and a very faint cheek patch. I think all of the Westerns I have seen in Kane County have been in full basic plumage, so this was a bit of a treat.

Ken Schneider on 8/5 reported via e-mail: Back from the heat wave in Florida, we welcomed the cool 68 degrees on our first morning in Illinois. The mosquitoes at the east end of Nelson Lake were ferocious. We did see three Caspian Terns, a lone Yellow Warbler, a Bald Eagle, and heard pheasants calling. Several Common Yellowthroats, Indigo Buntings, goldfinches, cardinals and Swamp Sparrows were singing as if it were spring again. We heard no Sedge Wrens at all, and saw no other warblers. A juvenile Swamp Sparrow posed an ID challenge until we saw its yellow gape and heard Swampies singing nearby. I photographed a Red-winged Blackbird in rather striking plumage that appears to be an immature male, and an Indigo Bunting that flew right up to an Eastern Kingbird and began singing in its face. Near our condo at Orchard & Randall in North Aurora, there were about 100 Killdeers gathered in the disturbed fields.
 

Ron Dickenson on 8/5 reported via e-mail: The eaglets are still hanging around the nest waiting for the adults to bring them food.
 

Marion Miller on 8/3 reported via e-mail: On 8-1 Rich and I went to Hawk’s Bluff to check on the Eagles. Both juveniles were viewed, one flying, as well as one Adult flying into the nest. We also saw 2 Baltimore Orioles in the choke cherry trees to the north of the eagle viewing area. We spotted 2 Blue Jays on the Oak trees in the woods and 3 flycatchers in the large Oak tree near the path. We are having a hard time identifying the flycatchers if they were Eastern Wood-Pewees or Willow Flycatchers or both. Indigo Buntings, a Hummingbird, Cat birds, Cedar Waxwing, Robins, and a juvenile Red-tail Hawk were also seen.

Ethan and Aaron Gyllenhaal on 7/30 reported via IBET: We...checked the spot where the probable Mottled Duck was, but were unsuccessful. We then went to Nelson Lake, which had normal birds and awesome numbers of Pearl Crescents (a type of butterfly). At Saur Family Preserve, there were Dickcissels galore, Western Meadowlarks, Sedge Wrens, and Marsh Wrens. Also there are plenty of butterflies, including an Eastern Tails Blue and a bunch of bright Black Swallowtails.

Jackie Bowman on 7/28 reported via IBET: On our way home tonight, my husband, Chris, and I stopped by the floodle just west of the University Horicultural Gardens at Peck Rd. and Rt. 38 in Kane County. We observed 16 Mallards in the far Northwest corner of the floodle and what appeared to be the MOTTLED DUCK in the Southeast corner approximately 20 yards from Rt. 38.

Please note that there is a large pond on Peck Road just South of the Campton Hills Athletic Fields and there were no waterfowl seen there. This floodle is further south of the pond and is visible from Rt. 38. There is a pull off area on the shoulder of the Rt. 38 just West of Peck Road with execellant viewing.

Additionally we noted many shorebirds(including peeps) in the mud surrounding this floodle. Too bad we didn't have our boots to go in for a closer look.

Greg Neise on 7/28 reported via IBET: Jeff Skrentny and I were at the spot indicated this evening at about 5pm, and did not see anything that could be called a Mottled Duck. There were two barnyard ducks present...but nothing that even came close to looking like a MODU.

Maybe it will be back in the morning.

Bob Fisher on 7/28 reported via IBET: Using Scott Cohr's excellent map and directions, I relocated the [Mottled] duck among some Mallards in the flooded field northwest of the intersection of Peck Rd and Rte 38 (Roosevelt Rd). The buffy face and throat made it easy to separate from the Mallards, and I was able to get a good scope view of the black spot on the gape. The bill is grayish green in color, suggesting a female? As Scott mentioned, the white edging on the speculum is very narrow and hard to see..

I stayed scope distance away, but the ducks and shorebirds were skittish; the Mallards and the Mottled Duck flew twice, but only moved from the north end of the fluddle to the south end along Roosevelt Rd, and then back again.

Scott Cohrs on 7/28 reported via IBET: Last evening I had long views of a dark dabbler that seems pretty consistent with Mottled Duck. I got Jon Duerr on the location and bird this morning and he confirmed that it is still present and noted the same field marks. Quick summary of the field marks below:

* Darker duck, noticeably darker than the Mallards present. Dark, warm-brown coloration.
* Head and neck were a different color than body (much lighter) and there was a line of demarcation between body and neck.
* Speculum was much darker than the Mallards. Depending on the light angle, it looked almost like a deep purple, but varied with the lighting.
* The bordering white on the speculum was much narrower than that of the Mallards.
* Bill was a very dull olive/yellow, solid in coloration. Perhaps indicative of a female/immature?
* Looked a tad smaller than the Mallards present.

The bird was fairly lethargic as I was watched, and also for Jon this morning. It sat on the side of the flooded area and didn't move much at all. It did not associate with the Mallards that were present.

The bird is located just south of Campton Hills (West Side Park) on Peck Rd. in St. Charles/Campton Hills. I have created a Google Map with the best parking/viewing locations and a pinpoint of where the bird is hanging out. The bird is actually on private property, so please follow the suggestions on my map. I think the flooded area is on some type of University of Illinois farm research plot, and I don't want to anger my alma mater. It will make sense when you get there, but park in the large lot and walk south across the soccer/football fields to view the flooded area. It is south of the large retention pond.

I have seen one IL Mottled Duck and several in Florida, but I know they can be tricky. Thoughts on the bird would be appreciated. Let me know if you have any questions.

Ron Dickenson on 7/27 reported via e-mail: More eagle photos from the Mooseheart nest.
 

The child appears to be larger than the parent in this photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Eaglet in flight photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Ron Dickenson on 7/26 reported via e-mail: The [eaglets] are still here and the adult eagles are still feeding them. The eaglets did a lot of flying around today until one of the adult eagles brought them a fish and dropped it in the nest.

Mooseheart's eaglets photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Mooseheart eagle and eaglet flying photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Nandu Dubey on 7/24 reported via IBET: I went to Nelson Lake Marsh Nature Preserve/Dick Young Forest Preserve for an ILYB trip (didn't know it was canceled because of the rain) in Kane County. I took the trails with my family and I saw Northern Harriers, Coopers Hawks, and, Red-tailed Hawks. I also saw many Eastern Meadowlarks and Northern Flickers.

Here is my full list For Nelson Lake
 

Good Birding!!

Mark Bowman on 7/24 reported via e-mail: A pair of RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have been coming to my flowers and feeder more frequently lately. It is the first time I have seen the male this year [past few days]
 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo courtesy Mark Bowman

Marion Miller on 7/23 reported via e-mail: Enjoyed watching the male cardinal feed his chick in the plum tree in our front yard (Batavia)
 

Cardinal tending to young photo courtesy Marion Miller

Ron Dickenson on 7/19 reported via e-mail: Here's a pictorial update on the Mooseheart eaglets. Ron reports that both are now flying in and out of the nest tree.
 

Mooseheart eaglets photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Mooseheart eaglets photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Rich Miller on 7/18 reported via e-mail: Marion and I saw at least 4, possibly 6 Green Herons on the evening of July 16th at the pond in Batavia, behind the Kohl’s. One of the green herons was near the pond’s edge close to the sidewalk area. On Sunday afternoon, July 18th we were successful in locating the marsh area at Prairie Green in Geneva and saw 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds. During our walk out to the marsh we saw 2 Ring-necked Pheasants, an Indigo Bunting, Dickcissels, Song Sparrows and a Great Blue Heron. Along the shore we identified many Killdeer, a Spotted Sandpiper and 2 Meadowlarks. Also saw three groups of American Coots on the water. One group consisted of the 2 adult birds and 6 baby chicks which displayed the bright red bills and red bald heads.
 

Marion Miller on 7/13 reported via e-mail: Rich and I went to the observation deck off Fabyan Rd at Peck Farm on July 12th in the evening and immediately saw cedar waxwings, common crackles, red-winged black birds, common yellowthroats and song sparrows.

The evening of July 13th we decided to pass by our favorite Batavia neighborhood small pond/marsh behind the Kohl's for a quick look at the Green Herons and Ducks and noticed a thick white object at the far end of the pond. We didn't bring our scope and only had our binoculars which didn't provide us with a real clear view. We did have our digital camera and just zoomed out and took a few shots of it. When we got home and downloaded the pictures we were amazed to see we had spotted our first Black-crowned Night Heron.
 

Song Sparrow photo courtesy Marion Miller

Sue Wagoner on 7/11 reported via e-mail: Pat Prieditis and I explored Prairie Green July 11 and were pleased with the gorgeous wildflowers as well as the birds. Seen and heard were Dickcissels (many), Indigo buntings, Savannah sparrows, Meadowlark, Yellow-headed blackbirds defending their territories, Kildeer, Spotted sandpipers and Coots, mature and immature.
 

Indigo Bunting photo courtesy Sue Wagoner

Savannah Sparrow photo courtesy Sue Wagoner

Sue Wagoner on 7/11 reported via e-mail: This photo was taken by my boss, June Podjasek (perhaps a budding birder!) at Eaglebrook Golf Course [in Geneva] where she golfs regularly. She has seen this Sandhill crane family for weeks, and first saw the "colt" when it was about a foot tall (but she was without her camera). So nice to see successful Sandhill nesting!
 

Bryan Hix on 7/10 reported via e-mail: I had an exciting sighting right in my Gilberts backyard yesterday. I was out deadheading some flowers and heard quite a ruckus in a large tree behind our house. There were easily 20 robins swarming a bird sitting high up on a branch. I figured it was just the Cooper's Hawk that frequently visits to grab an unattentive bird. However, I stopped to check it out and it looked different so I grabbed by binoculars and I clearly, without a doubt saw it was a Peregrine Falcon. Eventually it flew off the branch and began to fly in large circles as all the birds chased him. Then it flew higher up and dove very quickly on some of the birds in mid-air directly above me where I could clearly see it was a Peregrine. It was unbelievable as I have only ever seen one live in downtown Chicago on a building.

Bob Andrini on 7/8 reported via e-mail: He and Kathy had this House Wren performing in their backyard.
 

House Wren photo courtesy Bob Andrini

Ken Schneider on 7/6 reported via e-mail: Mary Lou and I once again tried to find the Clay-colored Sparrows at Aurora West Forest Preserve, to no avail. Arriving around 7:15 AM, we spent over an hour scanning the area around the model airplane field. We did see a Yellow-breasted Chat that was calling, flying up and singing on the way down, about 100 yards east of the field. I photographed the chat for documentation purposes, but it was back-lit and too far away for a decent image. There were a few Song Sparrows present, and we heard Field Sparrows singing in the open areas, one Brown Thrasher and a Great-crested Flycatcher.

There were several non-vocal flycatchers present in the open habitat east of the flying field. Their wings had two fairly bright bars, they lacked conspicuous eye rings, had pale loral lines and their wings looked shorter than those of a wood-pewee. Undertail coverts were clear rather than smudged as in wood-pewees, pointing to Traill's complex, but I believe the relatively dry habitat favors Willow Flycatcher.

We saw no bobwhites in the area to the west of the parking lot where we flushed the covey and the pheasant yesterday morning.
 

Probable Willow Flycatcher. Photo courtesy Ken Schneider.

Ron Dickenson on 7/5 reported via e-mail: The bigger Eaglet of the two was off flying around the nest today. It flew around the nest three different times while we were there this morning. Here is a picture of the eaglet taking off, flying, and landing with a red winged black bird right on his tail when landing. Could have had more sun light - would have had better pictures but at least I got these.
 

Mooseheart eaglet returning to nest with a Red-winged Blackbird in pursuit. Photo courtesy Ron Dickenson.

Mark Bowman on 7/5 reported via e-mail: Yesterday, I was standing in my neighbors backyard talking when I saw a bird fly from my yard across his backyard about fifteen feet up in front of us. I thought it was a blue jay at first given its size and shape. As it got closer I thought it was an odd looking blue jay and then I saw the long tail and could tell it was dull colored. Thats when I realized it was a black-billed or yellow-billed CUCKOO. It went into one of my neighbors trees and I tried to look for it but could not find him. It was certainly an unusual site since I live in the middle of town. The nearest woods to me is Delnor and Norris woods

Ken Schneider on 7/5 reported via e-mail: Mary Lou and I visited West Aurora Forest Preserve for the first time this morning, in search of the Clay-colored Sparrows. Started by walking the undeveloped path to the west from the parking lot, and, at the top of the rise, encountered a covey of 6-8 quail, going away fast (presumably Northern Bobwhite, but I do not know whether exotic quail may have been introduced by local hunters). A female pheasant flushed up along with the quail.

We then took the main path to north and found the airplane field and walked the perimeter, but neither heard nor saw any Spizella sparrows. Next, we walked the grassy path at the east of the parking lot. To the north, along the power lines, near the termination of West Indian Trail, we saw what looked like an immature Clay-colored Sparrow. Photos show it was accompanied by an adult that looks very much like a Field Sparrow, so we dipped on the Clay-colored. Maybe we can try again tomorrow before going back to Florida!

More photos on my Flickr page.
 

Red-eyed Vireo photo courtesy Ken Schneider

Rich and Marion Miller on 7/5 reported via e-mail: After enjoying the July 3rd walk around Nelson Lake led by Terry Murray, we decided to revisit the Audubon Bridge area on the path on Sunday July 4th around 7pm. We spotted an Eastern Phoebe, Bobolinks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrow, Sandhill Crane, Great Blue Heron and many Barn Swallows. Viewing the feeding of some young barn swallows that were perched on a shrub was the highlight of this walk. We also spotted a deer laying in the field.

Tom Lebryk on 7/3 reported via e-mail: 18 or so people showed up for the morning Lake Nelson Loop walk led by Terry Murray. In the group was a photographer from Daily Herald which may run a birding story. Seen on the 3 mile walk were Indigo Bunting, way too many Cowbirds!, the usual Red-Wing Blackbirds, Sparrows, and Grackle, 2 Caspian Terns over the lake, a Green Heron resting on a stream log, Great Blue Heron, 2 Wood ducks, Cormorant, Barn and Tree Swallows, Bobolink, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, Eastern Meadowlark, House Wren, Orchard Oriole, Cedar Waxwing, Common Yellowthroat. Seeing the Green Heron through Terry's spotting scope was a great highlight!
 

Common Yellowthroat photo courtesy Tom Lebryk

Ron Dickenson on 7/2 reported via e-mail: They were busy going from branch to branch today. Should be flying soon.
 

Mooseheart's eaglets photo courtesy Ron Dickenson

Mark Bowman on 7/1 reported via e-mail: At Aurora West Forest preserve a few days ago, the CLAY COLORED SPARROWS were very active and vocal. HENSLOW SPARROWS were also active but a lot farther out toward the north part of the preserve. the clay colored were east of the airplane field.
 

Clay-colored Sparrow photo courtesy Mark Bowman

More sightings available here.