Merlin in McLean and An Amazing Raptor Week

This morning, Les Allen and I went birding in McLean County. We decided to drive to the area North of downs, hoping to see another Red-shouldered Hawk, and then go on to Moraine View State Park to search for redpolls, raptors, waterfowl, etc.

At the last minute, I decided to stop at the pond at State Farm Corporate South. After viewing the 67+ Cackling Geese, we decided to head on toward Downs, but I ended up getting confused about how to get back to Ireland Grove Rd. I actually ended up on another road called Ireland Grove just off of Mercer, but this road dead ended into a loading dock. As we were headed toward the loading dock, I saw a bird in a small tree. I could not believe my eyes. It was a Merlin! These birds are around in Winter, but very difficult to find. I had seen my lifer at Ewing Park this Spring, but this bird was a county bird for Les today! Just to think, we would not have seen this bird if I had not turned the wrong way. What a providential blessing!



We did not have much success North of Downs or at MVSP. At MVSP, we saw five female Hooded Mergansers, some pheasants, American Tree Sparrows, and the typical feeder birds. As we were driving around the park, I stopped to look at a small mixed flock, which included White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Downy Woodpecker, and perhaps the best bird of the day other than the Merlin, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet!

After MVSP, we headed to the Schroeder Wildlife Preserve, where we had a Ruddy Duck and an American Coot at the end of a cold hike. After this, I drove Les home, and went to Evergreen to look for the Tundra Swans that Dave Weth had found there. Unfortunately, I was unable to relocate them, but the variety of waterfowl was a little better there. There were Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, and Mallards! I even saw an immature Bald Eagle! As I was heading back toward the highway to go home, I noticed this Red-tailed Hawk on the off ramp. I took a few shots, and then drove North so I could exit here and get one from the other side, since the bird was turned the wrong way!







I am thankful for all of the wonderful raptors I have seen this week . . .

Monday - Great Horned Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk
Wednesday - Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon
Thursday - Sharp-shinned Hawk, Short-eared Owl
Saturday - Merlin, American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk

It has been one amazing week for raptors--nine species in less than a week! I wonder what next week will bring!

Short-eared Owl and Peregrine Falcon in McLean County

Yesterday, I birded before work. I found five Bald Eagles and six Common Mergansers at Evergreen Lake. The oddest bird I found, however, was a Double-crested Cormorant. I'm not sure what this guy was doing around. I thought it was a little strange for this time of year, but the report was not flagged when I entered it into ebird.com.



On Christmas Eve, Given Harper reported a Peregrine Falcon on top of the south tower of Watterson Towers at Illinois State University in Normal. Yesterday afternoon, Shanin Abreu sent me a text when she was looking at the Peregrine in the same location. I was on my way home from work. So I picked up my wife Carrie, and we met up with Shanin and got great looks at this bird through the scope. This was county year bird #218 for me, the best look Carrie has ever had, and a lifer for Shanin. Thanks to Given and Shanin for the help with this amazing bird!



The Red-shouldered Hawk that Shanin recently helped me with brought me up to #249 in Illinois so I was hoping to see a Trumpeter Swan, a redpoll, or a Short-eared Owl before the end of the year to reach #250. I was thinking about this on the way home, but I did not have time to drive all the way to the Saybrook Habitat Area and then all the way home.

I did decide to search for raptors on my way home, and the Sharp-shinned Hawk I saw on N 400 E Rd. in Flanagan excited me more about the prospects. Perhaps I might see another Northern Harrier or Rough-legged Hawk. Then I decided to check an area in which I located a couple of Snowy Owls last Winter. I did not see any Snowies, but as I pulled out of N 1750 E Rd. onto Co Hwy 24, I saw what looked like a good sized hawk perched on a low red pole Just a few yards off the road. Once I saw the bird's face, I knew immediately that it was a Short-eared Owl. There's something about the face of a Short-eared Owl that reminds me of Halloween so I call them Halloween birds. This Short-eared Owl was a lifer for me and state bird #250! I went ahead and turned around on Co Hwy 24 and drove back to photograph the owl, which seemed completely oblivious to my presence, remaining on the pole until it became dark. Then the owl flew into the cornfields, and I saw it fly once or twice more before it disappeared into the darkness.





Here are a couple of videos I recorded of this awesome owl!

Finally, a Red-Shouldered Hawk in Illinois and Holiday Great Horned Owls

Saturday, Carrie was working so I decided to do some holiday birding. I wanted to get my Illinois life list up to 250 species by the end of the year, and I was only two species short. Shanin Abreu had been seeing Red-shouldered Hawks all over McLean County, and I still needed this species for the county and the state. Also, Given Harper had had a red morph Eastern Screech-owl in his screech-owl box, and although I had been blessed with great looks and photos of a screech-owl family of seven, they were all gray, and I had never seen a red morph. So I hoped his red morph would be in the box so I could see it and get some shots. However, the red morph had not been consistently roosting in the box so seeing it was not a guarantee. I also hoped to find some Trumpeter Swans at Dawson Lake, where they were seen last Christmas day.

My first stop was the home of Dr. Given Harper. Unfortunately, the screech-owl was not in its roost; however, conversation with Dr. Harper is always nice. After a brief chat, I headed toward the area where Shanin had seen the most Red-shouldered Hawks just North of Downs. I spent about an hour and a half driving around this area. There were at least six or seven Red-tailed Hawks, all pretty far away from the road. Shanin had recommended 2000 E, 950 N, 2100 E, and Cheney Grove Rd. When I drove down 2100 E Rd., it curved around and eventually turned into 2075 E Rd. There in a long fenced in yard on my left, I saw a hawk fly into a tree about 10-15 yards from the road. However, it was hidden behind too many branches so I could not get a clear view or photograph. Unfortunately, I flushed it while trying to reposition my car for a better view. It flew about a hundred yards back, and I took a few blurry photos of its back. I thought the bird was probably a Red-shouldered Hawk based on its size and behavior. I have noticed that Red-shouldered Hawks seem less conspicuous than Red-tails and that they often roost or perch somewhat hidden, mid-level in trees; whereas, Red-tailed Hawks tend perch higher up in the open and often pick the highest branches. The way the bird flew also reminded me of other Red-shouldered Hawks I had seen. Unfortunately, I could not get a good enough look at the bird for a positive I.D., and I could not tell from the poor photos I had taken either. So it was strike two.

After a detour to check out a Red-tailed Hawk my wife, Carrie, had seen on the way to a client's home, I headed toward Dawson Lake at Moraine View State Park, hoping to see Trumpeter Swans or possibly a Red-shouldered Hawk since Red-shoulders have occasionally been seen at Moraine View as well. I did see a couple of Red-tails and American Kestrels, but no Red-shoulders and no swans. In fact, the only waterfowl I did see on the lake were Canada Geese. Strike three!

It seemed my best birds of the day were not raptors but Galliformes, which were everywhere at Moraine View. Here are a few shots of some of the Ring-necked Pheasants and one of the Wild Turkeys I saw.









Before going home, I drove by the pond at State Farm Corporate South, hoping to see Snow Geese or some other waterfowl there. There were no Snow Geese, but I did see a few shovelers, Lesser Scaups, and about 15-20 Cackling Geese. Here are a few out on the ice with the Canada Geese.



And here are a few on the shore . . .





Here are a couple of shots of a partially leucistic Canada Goose also on the shore of the State Farm pond . . .





Sunday, Carrie had to work again, but I did not go birding. I went to church and spent the rest of the day shopping, running errands, and doing a little bit of cleanup around the house. Shanin texted me that she saw a Red-shouldered Hawk very close to where I had seen the bird that I thought might be a Red-shoulder the previous day, but I decided to wait until the next day, Christmas Eve, to make another attempt.

On Christmas Eve, I started out looking for some swans that Carrie had seen from 700 Rd., North of Schroeder Wildlife Sanctuary, the previous day. I found them in some fenced in open water not far from where she had seen them, but they were not Trumpeters. They were Mute Swans, and their were nine of them. I was only a little disappointed that they were not Trumpeters because I still enjoyed watching them feed. I also saw a nice flock of American Tree Sparrows next to the adjoining drive, and I was pleased to find a single Eurasian Tree Sparrow in this flock.



Next, I decided to head to Deanna Frautschi's yard not far from 51. She had just posted a photo of a red morph Eastern Screech-owl roosting in one of her screech-owl boxes on Facebook. Unfortunately, this screech-owl was absent from the box as well. However, as I arrived, Deanna saw one of her resident Great Horned Owls fly back into the pines in her backyard. She graciously allowed me to walk through her property to try for some photos of this glorious bird. As I walked along the pines, I saw the owl flush, and I was able to take a few photos when it landed. Unfortunately, I could not get into position for good lighting, but I have been told that any photo of an owl is good.





As I continued exploring the property I found many other delights such as Red-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker (heard), Carolina Wren, and Pine Siskin (heard). Then as I walked toward the pines on the other side of the yard, I saw a second Great Horned Owl flying back toward the creek. Then as I walked through the pines, I noticed an enormous knot on the trunk of one of the pines. Alas, it was not a knot, but a third Great Horned Owl! When it noticed that I was staring at it and that I had realized that it was not a knot, it also flushed. I followed it back to the creek and took this shot.



Before leaving, I enjoyed some conversation with Deanna and showed her the photos I had taken of her amazing yard birds.

Next, I explored the area North of Downs, still hoping to find a Red-shouldered Hawk; however, I did not even see a single Red-tailed Hawk. So I headed to Moraine View, where I saw a Bald Eagle in flight. I got out briefly to look for a Barred Owl. When I returned to my car, I found this Northern Cardinal confused and agitated by its own reflection in my car windows and rear-view mirror.



Much of Dawson Lake was frozen, and I did not have time to check thoroughly for waterfowl because I received a text from Shanin that she had just relocated the Red-shouldered Hawk. She texted me the location and told me she would wait until I arrived so that she could show me where it was. I hurriedly left the park en route to Downs.

When I pulled up next to the Shanin's hawk, which was only about 20 yards out from the road, it flushed before I could get a good look or photo. I observed it in flight, but could not see the field marks I was looking for. I relocated the bird and managed to get one shot in which its red shoulder was exposed. Then the bird flew again.



I eventually was able to relocate it a second time in a hedge of trees at eye level. This time the bird sat still, and I was able to take several shots of the immature Red-shouldered Hawk. When I later compared these shots to the photos I had taken of the hawk I had seen on Saturday, it became apparent that this was the same bird. So the bird I had seen on Saturday had been a Red-shouldered Hawk after all, and here it was again--Illinois bird #249!





Thanks to Shanin for helping me find a new state bird, and thanks to Deanna for letting me see and photograph her Great Horned Owls on Christmas Eve! Last Christmas Eve, Carrie and I saw our lifer Long-eared Owls! This Christmas Eve I was blessed to see Great Horned Owls and a Red-shouldered Hawk! I wonder what next year will bring.

Cooper's Hawk with Lesser Scaup Prey and Other Thanksgiving Birds in North Carolina

Thanksgiving is the one time each year that almost everyone in my family still gathers together. Traditionally, we meet at my brother Jamie's house in Raleigh, NC the day after Thanksgiving, and the whole family takes a walk through his neighborhood after we eat our Thanksgiving meal. Jamie's neighborhood is basically a pine forest with houses. The large pines attract Brown-headed Nuthatches and many other birds.

For the second year in a row, I saw and heard Brown-headed Nuthatches in the tall pines in my brother's neighborhood the day after Thanksgiving in 2012. A Brown-headed Nuthatch has an unmistakeable call. They sound like squeaky toys. Here is a photo I took of one of the Brown-headed Nuthatches I saw in the pines next to my brother's yard in 2011.



In 2011, I also saw my lifer Red-shouldered Hawks in Raleigh. However, it was still an unexpected surprise to see one in my brother's neighborhood this past day after Thanksgiving in 2012 on our after dinner walk.



After a few days in Raleigh, Carrie and I took my mother back home to Waynesville in Haywood County, where I grew up, which is in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The day before we returned home, I went birding at Lake Junaluska, which is also in Haywood County. After watching a bufflehead on the edge of the lake, I headed for the wetlands. While walking through the wetlands, I flushed a hawk that was on the ground. I followed the hawk to the tree it flew into, and it seemed reluctant to leave the area, thus I was able to take several photos of this young Cooper's Hawk.







As the Cooper's Hawk kept it's eyes on me, I walked back to the spot from which it had flushed and found the reason it seemed unwilling to fly away. Beside a pile of feathers was the fresh carcass of a Lesser Scaup.





It seemed such a feast for a Cooper's. No wonder this hawk did not want to leave.

I continued my walk, climbing to the top of a hill from where I had a nice vantage point to view the waterfowl on the lake. There was a nice smattering of Hooded Mergansers not far from shore.





They seemed very playful. This video shows some of their antics.



I started the trail around the lake over by the swimming pool. Before I crossed the bridge, I saw this Song Sparrow along the path.



As I walked across the bridge, I photographed this Mallard.



The area on the other side of the bridge is a great area to view songbirds. The birds here seem very accustomed to the walkers and the people who feed the ducks and geese. So it is easy to get close to these birds. In past years I have photographed Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Song Sparrows, Northern Mockingbirds, and Eastern Bluebirds. The first birds I noticed in this area on this walk were two Carolina Wrens, and they allowed great looks.







One of the wrens was scolding me so I recorded the scold on video.



The next bird I saw in the little trees by the sidewalk was another Song Sparrow.



Then a Northern Mockingbird flew in.



There were several Carolina Chickadees as well, but I was not able to get a photo of any of them. I was a little surprised that I did not see any Eastern Bluebirds on my walk. Here are a few shots I took of one of them in the same area in November of 2011.







As I continued around the lake, I took this shot of the Lambuth Inn.



I approached a little dock surrounded by a variety of mutt ducks. I am beginning to have a new appreciation for hybrid ducks because simply put, each of them is a one of a kind. Here is a short gallery.







Also near this little dock was a Mute Swan--one of several that have been brought to the lake.



The lake was full of American Coots, and there were a good number of Pied-billed Grebes as well.



Usually, I find it difficult to approach American Crows for photographs; however, this one seemed highly cooperative.





Indeed, it seemed that all of the birds were cooperating today, including this Rock Pigeon and this male Belted Kingfisher, which I saw near the dam.







Written and published on January 6, 2013.