Only about 20 people gathered for the field trip today.  I wonder if some of the folks on the previous trips (with averages of 30 participants) are getting tired of all this great birding (and early mornings), or if they're off chasing all of the rarities that are being seen in the area.

We started off the day with lots of Wood Thrushes singing from the brush surrounding the parking lot.  Jonathan Simms then led us into the preserve, with our first stop being pretty much as soon as we entered.  The clearing between the pond and the latrines is generally a good spot for early morning birding and it was today, with Bay-breasted and Chestnut-sided warblers making appearances along with a bright Scarlet Tanager.

We then moved into the fields west of the pond and enjoyed a sun-drenched Blue-winged Warbler singing his little heart out from an in-the-open perch.  A Yellow-breasted Chat was heard but not seen without a little bushwhacking by some intrepid members of the party.

Continuing our walk, we found a very cooperative Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler and a less indulgent Connecticut that was heard, but not seen...ditto for a Northern Waterthrush.

The always popular Blackburnian Warbler made an appearance, albeit causing some neck pain.  Several members of the group thought they might have seen a Kentucky Warbler, but could not induce him to reappear. Another uncooperative little guy was an Orange-crowned Warbler.  A Green Heron squawked at our approach to the south pond.

There were lots of invisible (but vocal) Red-eyed Vireos around, as well as Least Flycatchers.

At the end of the trip, we tallied everything up and had 25 species of warblers.  And to top off the experience, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak put in an appearance.

"3 Bagger Attempt"

Kate and I then tried for a 3 bagger, but we came up a little short.  We thought we'd do a circle tour, starting off at Crabtree Nature Center for the Neotropic Cormorant, then heading out to Boone County for the Garganey, then topping it all off by picking up the Gallinule in DeKalb County.  2 lifers and a state bird in one circuit - are we greedy or what?

We DID get the Neotropic Cormorant.  We pulled into the parking lot, grabbed our scope, met some folks from the field trip, and got encouraging words from other birders who had just seen the bird.  We got to the blind, which was gloriously empty, and almost immediately saw the bird.  It was sitting on a sandbar out in the lake along with several Double-crested Cormorants, almost as if they were waiting for us.  However, it insisted on preening itself so we had to settle for only fleeting looks at its face.  Not exactly an Audubon Moment, but satisfactory for a state bird.  

Then, it was on to Boone County for the Garganey.  Our birding karma was catching up with us.  We'd had a reasonably good trip to Arizona last weekend, so the birding gods were not about to let us have the "3 bagger".  The Garganey was reported from a slough and fluddle area 1.5 miles south of Garden Prairie on Garden Prairie Road, just past Coon Creek.  As we rolled up, there were several birders spread out along the road, all idly scanning the slough - NOT a good sign.  But the birding was good, nevertheless.  This spot is a neat location, with marsh, mud flats and a riparian area with some reasonable trees and brush.  As for the Garganey, I can see why it is being seen only sporadically.  It could be out there and totally hidden; there are lots of nooks and crannies.  We did see two Blue-winged Teal, but they weren't entertaining any company.

After a stop at a deli in Genoa, we sought out the Wilkensen-Renwick Marsh in DeKalb county.  By the way, our Delorme's Atlas was VERY handy for finding our way on the back roads of Boone and DeKalb counties.  If you don't have one of these, you should pick one up.  

Wilkensen-Renwick Marsh is wonderful!  I only wish it was a little closer to home; we'd bird it as often as possible.  This forest preserve is located on Glidden Road about 1/4 mile north of Route 64, west of Sycamore.  There is no signage on the road...look for a parking lot - you'll see the woodlot.  As you walk down the path, you have swamps and woodland on one side, and marsh on the other.  It was a new experience to look DOWN on warblers who were active below the dike/path that we were on.  We had very interesting views of Blackpoll and Magnolia
Warblers, along with others.  I never have had such great looks at Blackpoll Warblers' feet - they are VERY red!  

Oh, we didn't get the Purple Gallinule.  But, as with the Garganey location, there are lots of places the Gallinule could be without being found.  

We hope to try again for the two misses tomorrow. Maybe I'll have a better story to tell.

Jim Frazier
5/15/1999