Coyote in Normal, IL

Carrie and I did have one more pretty cool find in April--a coyote in our yard!

Wilson's Phalarope and Snapping Turtle at Salem Ranch in Livingston County, IL

My last new bird in April was at Salem Ranch in Livingston County. It was another lifer for me--a Wilson's Phalarope.









And there was a snapping turtle nearby.





This post was written and published on September 2, 2013.

Yellow-throated Warbler, Green Heron, and Osprey in McLean County, IL

On April 28, Les Allen and I went birding and saw this Eastern Meadowlark somewhere in McLean County.



It was quite a surprise for us when we found this Yellow-throated Warbler at Centennial Park.



We also found an Osprey over a pond in Downs and a Green Heron at Angler's Pond.

Northern Parula, Pied-billed Grebe, and Spotted Sandpiper in McLean and Livingston Counties

On Saturday, April 27, I was standing in my driveway loading a table into the truck of one of my elders, George Drye, for a fundraiser at the church when we saw the beautiful Northern Parula, shown above.

Later that day, I found this Pied-billed Grebe at the Gridley Wastewater Treatment Ponds and a Spotted Sandpiper at a flooded field North of Gridley in Livingston County, where I was also able to relocate an American Avocet found by Les Allen and Dale Birkenholz.

Marbled Godwits, Osprey, and Yellow-throated Warblers in McLean County, IL

On April 26, Joe Phipps and I went to Funks Grove to look for a Yellow-throated Warbler. This species likes to nest in sycamore trees so we drove to the bridge by the cemetery and hiked along the creek to the sycamores on both sides of the bridge, but we were unable to hear or see any Yellow-throated Warblers. We did, however, see both species of waterthrush--Northern and Louisiana. Next we tried the sycamores on both sides of the bridge next to Sudden Impact Paintball. To our delight, we saw three Yellow-throated Warblers, and at least two of them were singing.



Later that morning, we went to Angler's Pond in Bloomington where we found an Osprey.



Late in the afternoon, Shanin Abreu found a pair of Marbled Godwits in a flooded field I had been checking South of Gridley. I was able to relocate them the same evening--another county and state bird!

Virginia Rail, Sora, Sandhill Crane, Prairie Warbler, and Marsh Wren at Evergreen Lake in McLean County, IL

Shanin Abreu found a Virginia Rail along the Deer Island Trail at Evergreen Lake. On April 24, I went there to see if I could relocate it, and it gave me quite a show, walking all around me, while I stood still taking photos. This bird was a lifer for me.











I went back to the same spot the next evening with Carrie, hoping that she would also be able to see the Virginia Rail. The Soras were calling and the rail was cooperative again. While we were watching the rail, a Sandhill Crane flew over. I was able to snap a quick photo, which did not turn out very well, but this was a new county bird for me and a new state bird for Carrie.







After the Sandhill Crane flew over, Les Allen, Dale Birkenholz, and Angelo Capparella showed up. Angelo heard a Prairie Warbler, which was another lifer for both Carrie and me.



And we were able to help them locate the Virginia Rail.





While trying to get another look at the Prairie Warbler, I heard some Marsh Wrens singing. What a nice evening we all had together with some great birds.

Pine Warbler, Purple Finch, Sora and Other Migrants in McLean and Livingston Counties

This Red-breasted Nuthatch was at Ewing Park early in the morning on April 22.



While at Ewing, I also saw this male Purple Finch feeding on the blossoms.



A little later the same day, I found this Greater Yellowlegs in a fluddle South of Gridley.



This Savannah Sparrow was standing on one of the broken concrete blocks beside the water at the Gridley Wastewater Treatment Ponds.



In the afternoon, I found this Sora at Salem Ranch in Livingston County. There was also a bashful turtle nearby.











In the evening, I returned to Ewing Park where I found a small flock of Pine Warblers.









From Ewing I went to White Oak Park where I found a Spotted Sandpiper and a female Purple Martin.





The next morning, I saw this Blue-winged Teal couple at Evergreen Lake.

Purple Finch, Pine Warbler, and Other Migrants in McLean County

On Sunday morning, April 21, before church at Ewing, I photographed a Broad-winged Hawk, shown below, and a male Purple Finch, shown above, which came down low to rest after feeding on the blossoms in the treetops.



With the help of Joe Phipps, I was also able to locate two or three Pine Warblers there North of Sugar Creek.



After, church I took Carrie to Ewing to show her the Pine Warblers, but we were unable to find them.However, we did find a Northern Waterthrush, which was a lifer for her, and an Eastern Kingbird.





Later the same day, I saw this Pied-billed Grebe in a flooded field South of Gridley.