2011 Trip Society PAID PEORIA ACADEMY of SCIENCE PERMIT NUMBER875 677 E HIGH PT TERRACE PEORIA IL 61614 PEORIA IL Ck the Che Ck Theyyourour FEB

Home , Fauna of Illinois, Prairie restoration

NON-PROFIT Peoria ORGANIZATION U.S.POSTAGE SAT.,Birding March Field 5, 2011 trip Society PAID PEORIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE PERMIT NUMBER875 677 E HIGH PT TERRACE PEORIA IL 61614 PEORIA IL ck the Che ck theyyourour FEB. 2011 111th Annual Christmas Count Resultsdate on 80 Inside: When does your annual membership expire?mailing label Peoria Audubon . . . Chapter of National Audubon since 1981 Board Dennis Endicott - President / Web Development Chapter of The Peoria Academy of Science since 1930 Mike Miller - Vice President/Program Chair www.peoriaaudubon.org Contact the Peoria Audubon Society at [email protected] Greet Princen - Treasurer Holli Cook - Secretary Maury Brucker - Conservation Chair Joe Van Wassenhove - Membership Chair / Board Member Peoria Audubon meets at 7:00 PM on the second Wednesday of each month, September Carol Borders - Education Chair through May at the Forest Park Nature Center (FPNC). It's a relaxed, friendly evening with Reflections on the history of Pete Fenner - Board Member an interesting presentation followed by refreshments. Free and open to the public. Deb Roe - Board Member / Newsletter Editor Peoria Audubon Society These are just a few of the upcoming Wed., Apr. 13, 2011, 7PM by Dennis Endicott Jim Miller - Board Member events listed at Adam Wallenfang - Board Member www.peoriaaudubon.org/calendar Monthly Membership Meeting at FPNC Starting off a new year provided me Susie Grana - Board Member Native Prairie Management with the Prairie with an opportunity to pause and reflect Wed., Feb. 9th, 2011 7 PM Dawgs. Doug Franks of the local volunteer group on the history and purpose of the Monthly Membership Meeting at FPNC known as The Jubilee Prairie Dawgs will talk about Peoria Audubon Society. At a recent Michael Reuter, Executive Director of the Great prairie restoration in Central Illinois. He will board meeting, Greet Princen, our Rivers Partnership for The Nature Conservancy, describe controlled burns, reseeding, and other long-time Treasurer of more than 35 will present “Thinking Like A Great River: From years, provided me with a stack of aspects of prairie restoration. One of the Peoria Audubon newsletters – some Sites to Systems on the Mississippi River”. properties that Doug and the Prairie Dawgs going back as far as 1993. Michael will discuss developing a systems manage is owned by the Peoria Audubon Society. approach to sustainable management of the Anyone with an interest in what it takes to manage With a stack of our rich history in my Mississippi River, and sharing expertise a native prairie. hands, I couldn’t resist the urge to (1) globally to support sustainable management of scan the old documents; (2) create a other great rivers. Sat., Apr. 23, 2011, 7:30 AM - 3 PM single, downloadable file for each Birding Field Trip - MSWRD Wetlands newsletter; and (3) upload the entire Feb. 18-21, 2011 Thad Edmonds will lead a spring birding trip to the stack of 40 or so newsletters to our The Great Backyard Bird Count 15,000-acre Chicago MSWRD wetlands, just website. Now anyone can go to Participants count birds anywhere for as little "http://www.peoriaaudubon.org", click southwest of Canton, IL. Goal is to gather some the button for “About PAS” and peruse or as long as they wish during the four-day data and assist in the effort to determine the effect through an archive of old newsletters. period. They tally the highest number of birds of the oil spill on wintering grounds of waterfowl by of each species seen together at any one time. assessing the impact on this very important Even with a few missing newsletters, the Biodiversity of Birds and Habitat To report their counts, they fill out an online migration flyway stop. Bring your lunch. documents stand as reminders of our checklist at the Great Backyard Bird Count historic purpose: “Our mission is to A few words om our recently elected Conservation chair: Advanced reservations are required preferably prior promote birding through education, web site. A link to the GBBC site is on the to April 2. Contact Thad Edmonds at calender page our website. nature appreciation, habitat preservation As your new Peoria Audubon Conservation Chairperson, I want to share with you my perspective of our conservation role. 309-243-1854 to make your reservation. and fellowship.” With last year’s Over the last 50 years, I have seen continuing loss of bird habitat and fewer native species in our area. In our bird counts Sat., May 7, 2011 acquisition and ownership of a small plot Sat., Mar. 5, 2011, 7AM - 4 PM of prairie in Peoria County, our Board is and other scienti c studies, we try to monitor these changes in the less common bird species. For us the term Field Trip - Birding the Illinois River Illinois Spring Bird Count continuing to work toward creating a conservation means seeking opportunities to stem the decline in less common bird species. This often means protecting More information inside this newsletter. Statewide bird count. This bird count consists of sustainable local wetland sanctuary. the habitat needed by these species. We are seeing some recent improvements in wetland habitats at Hennepin Hopper Pre-registration required Call Forest Park volunteers conducting bird censuses in all 102 With field trips and membership in Putnam county and the Emiquon project near Havana. Peoria Audubon is trying to establish a shorebird habitat project Nature Center @ 309-686-3360 for info and to counties in Illinois. The participants record all birds meetings at the Forest Park Nature in our area as this habitat is in short supply here during migration. The Illinois Audubon, an aliated group, is working register. Fee: $35/person, Nature Center and seen or heard, along with the number of hours they Center, Peoria Audubon continues the with IDNR to protect grassland habitat at Prairie Ridge state natural area near Engham, Illinois. Another example of Peoria Audubon Members’ discount price spend "owling" (pre-dawn hours), the number of rich tradition of promoting birding, $30/person. Meet at FPNC @ 7:00 AM, Return hours spent looking for birds during the day, the appreciation of nature, and conservation protecting biodiversity locally is our group protecting tall grass prairie plants by taking on the stewardship of the 6 acre through a generous dose of fellowship. Brim eld Railroad Prairie Nature Preserve. Also, we always encourage individual eorts to help with habitat. by 4:00 PM number of miles driven in a car, and the number of miles walked. To volunteer for Peoria County, Perusing through the archives leaves one Wed., Mar. 9th, 2011, 7 PM contact: Mike Miller (309) 681-2858. Volunteers are with a very deep and humbling Although the Peoria Audubon discusses many ideas for conservation Monthly Membership Meeting at FPNC opportunities, we still welcome new ideas for group eorts. Because also needed for Fulton, Mason, Tazewell, and appreciation of this heritage and the We will be showing the film: Opposable Woodford counties. work by other volunteers who came we have limited resources, we must be very selective on the projects Chums: Guts & Glory at the World Series of before us. to be pursued. Should Birding. This documentary won numerous Wed., May. 11, 2011, 7 PM awards by showcasing the world of Monthly Membership Meeting at FPNC Starting with a group of eleven science the board decide to teachers, back in 1930, the Peoria focus on a new idea, be "Competitive Bird Watching." The film includes Brian "Fox" Ellis of Fox Tales International will Academy of prepared to help with footage of several famous naturalists and provide an educational encounter with the earth's Sciences was the eort to pursue the birdwatchers. One reviewer claimed, "Equal wildest places. Through the ancient art of formed. The next idea. parts scavenger hunt, science expedition, and storytelling, "Fox" will leave you inspired as he year, the organiza- endurance test...." as teams go out to find and becomes the persona of "John James Audubon," tion created eight Maury Brucker count the greatest number of bird species in 24 celebrating the 200th anniversary of his arrival in sections, each hours. Free Attendance. Kentucky. emphasizing a Black-necked Stilts south Havana different scientific May 13-15, 2011 discipline. The SolitarySolitary andand PectoralPectoral SandpipersSandpipers phos by D. Endic FPNC = Forest Park Nature Center, Illinois Audubon Spring Gathering ornithological 5809 N. Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights Hosted by McHenry Co. Audubon Society, Crystal Lake, Illinois. More information coming soon. ...continued on page 2 ...continued from page 1 Volunteer section became the Peoria Audubon Society. A Nature And to be consistent with our chartered purpose of promoting Opportunities conservation and preservation of critical habitat, in 1981, the Peoria Documentary for Birders at Audubon Society elected to become an active chapter of the National Audubon Society. Later on, Peoria Audubon also became Comedy ??? Wildlife an affiliate chapter with the Illinois Audubon Society (“Helping to Competitive preserve the Flora and Fauna of Illinois since 1987”). Recently, birdwatching...may sound Prairie State Peoria Audubon became a member of the Bird Conservation like an oxymoron to you, but Network "http://www.bcnbirds.org", which is a coalition of Park organizations with an interest in the conservation of birds in NE it makes perfect sense to the Melissa Sauder is looking for help with the following items: Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and NW Indiana. participants of The World Series of Birding, who • Possible Guest Speaker and 1-2 Guides for a beginning birding class to be held on Friday, April 22nd. (Please contact ASAP if available) I feel very humbled by efforts of the earlier Audubon members who convene for one day each have worked to create the foundation for the efforts that we continue FieldField TripTrip spring to see which of the • Reestablishing Bluebird Box Routes today. more than 120 international teams can identify the most bird Assist with monitoring routes, record keeping, data collection, obser- species in 24 hours. Not one second later. BirdingBirding thethe IllinoisIllinois RiverRiver vations, and maintenance to develop a consistent yearly record. Sat.Sat. MarchMarch 5,5, 20112011 77 AMAM -- 44 PMPM • The contest goes from midnight to midnight. • Join our Wing Watchers Birding Club! Starting this Spring, we will be • The playing field is the state of New Jersey . establishing a group of birders who meet quarterly to divide and Join us for Peoria Audubon’s next birding trip. The trip will • Any vehicle except aircraft may be used. conquer the park to maintain a record of what species are at the park. Results of the 111th take us to the migratory hotspots of the Illinois River Valley. • All birds counted must be alive and unrestrained. We will meet in February, May, August, and November or December. Results of the 111th The areas visited will depend upon scouting reports shortly • Teams may begin the event anywhere in the state, and follow any AnnualAnnual Christmas Christmas Bird Bird Count Count before the trip. Typical locations include Spring Lake, Chau- route they devise, BUT- • Maintenance of the Hummingbird Feeders • Each team must hand in its totals at the Finish Line by midnight. tauqua, Emiquon and Rice Lake. The timing of the trip should • Assist in the development and implementation of our First Annual coincide with peak spring migration. Equal parts scavenger hunt, science expedition, and endurance test, International Migratory Bird Day Event (Will be held on Saturday, May The World Series of Birding is also a fundraiser, generating millions 14th). Since it is our first year…the possibilities are endless! We plan Participants in last year’s trip witnessed over 40,000 snow of dollars for conservation. The more bird species tallied, the more on including ‘All Things with Wings’, so all if you have an interest in geese in migration. Field trip will be hosted by experienced money raised. Past participants have included some of the most butterflies, moths, dragonflies, etc. and have an interest in developing birders Mike MIller and Maury Brucker. renowned birders in the world, such as Roger Tory Peterson, David a program, leading a hike, giving a demonstration or any other thoughts, please let us know! Trip includes transportation in Park District Van, snacks, Allen Sibley, Kenn Kaufman, and Pete Dunne. • One team mounts a paramilitary operation replete with infrared • Assist in the care of Education Department’s Raptors beverages and a box lunch. Spotting scopes and field guides and GPS devices. will be available along with experts to help identify the birds. • Another team does the event on foot, jogging almost 50 miles. Please contact Melissa at: [email protected] Attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars. The trips are • After scouting for weeks, one team has the entire 24 hours (309) 676-0998 ext. 6756 for any additional information great fun for both experienced and novice birders. planned to the minute. • A Seniors team counts only the birds that fly by the bench on February is National Bird-Feeding Pre-registration is required. Call Forest Park Nature Center at which it sits all day. Photo by Frank Ripp 309-685-3360 for more information and to register. Fee: $35 Month! per person, Nature Center and Peoria Audubon members’ “Opposable Chums” takes you along for the ride, with all of its The National Bird-Feeding Society (NBFS) is The Peoria Co. CBC was held on Saturday, Dec 18, 2010 and discount price $30 per person. Meet at FPNC at 7:00 AM, competitiveness, camaraderie, and caffeine. In doing so, the film pleased to announce that February is had 19 participants, sighting 74 species. According to Thad return anticpated by 4:00 PM. may be very first nature documentary comedy! National Bird-Feeding Month! The theme for Edmonds, the Peoria Count Compiler, "I think the surprises were 2011 is "Most Wanted - America's Top Ten a Turkey Vulture, a Double-crested Cormorant, and 2362 Rock Please join us on March 9 at 7 pm at Forest Park Nature Center Backyard Birds." Throughout the month, the Pigeons." during the general membership meeting for a special screening of NBFS will highlight the joys of bird feeding this film! The Chautauqua count was held on Dec. 23, 2010 by Richard by providing tips and techniques to create Bjorkland. Bjorkland reported 85 species, 37,220 individuals for Source: http://www.opposablechums.com/about_the_film.html a successful bird feeding and watching the Chautauqua count circle. experience, and attract America's top ten birds. The Chillicothe CBC was on Jan. 2, 2011. Tracy Fox, Chillicothe 2010 Peoria CBC: Count Details Count Compiler reported the following: While many of the top ten birds can GOLDEN EAGLE “Nothing exceptional to report on this year’s Chillicothe CBC: no by Maury Brucker be found year round, others may only new species, exceptional high counts or big misses. What With all the Bald Eagles we now visit during spring and fall migration or during the breeding or looked like it could be a miserable day, with freezing have wintering along the Illinois wintering season. By providing bird seed and bird feeders year round, temperatures and high winds, turned out to be a nice day to be River and in the Peoria area, we very offering alternative bird foods and water, putting up bird houses, and out looking for birds. rarely see a Golden Eagle. This is making your yard safe for birds, you can enjoy America's most wanted Thanks to all who got up early and helped out … despite the lack backyard birds. from a totally separate eagle family of rarities and big numbers, these efforts are still critical for and it inhabits mountains and dry tracking the health of our over-wintering Central Illinois birds. The Top Ten Backyard Birds east of the Rocky Mountains are the plateaus. The few Golden Eagles we American Goldfinch, Chickadee (Black-capped/Carolina), Dark-eyed Together, 11 birders in 7 parties found 8910 birds of 67 species. see are most likely vagrants from Junco, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Rose- Ring-necked ducks are infrequent on the Chillicothe CBC, but the western US although these this year a group of 10, a high for the count, was spotted off breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, same eagles are found in Siberia, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Spring Bay. Scandinavia and southern Europe. I was also pleased to see four of the seven teams saw John James Audubon’s depiction of a Whether you live in a rural, suburban or urban environment, there are Red-headed Woodpeckers but the overall count of 11 was still Adult male and female Golden always birds that can be attracted to your yard. Having the right pretty low. The high counts for Chillicothe were in 1993 and 1999 Eagles are all dark with small heads Golden Eagle when 40 Redheaded Woodpeckers were seen. This reinforces and beaks. Immatures have distinctive white patches on the wings combination of food and feeders is the key to a successful bird feeding experience. my perception that these birds were far more plentiful 15 years and rump; see your field guides for these markings. ago. On a birding trip to Alberta, Canada, Emiko and I were treated to an National Bird-Feeding Month was established in 1994. The NBFS is the In other woodpecker news, three of the seven teams reported eagle counting sit. Most of the eagles there were Golden Eagles proud host of National Bird-Feeding Month, and helps make the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers which may be having a mini-invasion Species Counted: 74 backyard bird feeding and watching hobby better for people and wild this year as several bird feeding friends have mentioned seeing Total Individuals: 12,316 coming through one pass in the mountains south of Banff. Count- ing all daylight hours for seven months in the spring and fall, they birds. The NBFS accomplishes its mission by connecting hobbyists them as well. The four Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers sighted tie with education and research about backyard bird feeding. 2009 for the high count record. Details of the local results are available on our website at: totaled up to 7,000 Golden Eagles a year. http://www. peoriaaudon.org/bcs.htm Misses (birds seen on at least 10 previous counts since 1992) Last year I saw my first Golden eagle in Illinois after looking for 20 For more information, visit the National Bird-Feeding Month page or included Killdeer and Wilson’s Snipe, Red-breasted Nuthatch, The national compilation is also available online at: years. I looked over many, many immature Bald Eagles before please contact the National Bird-Feeding Society at 1-866-945-3247 or Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-winged Blackbird.” http://www.cbc.audubon.org/cbccurrent/current_table.html [email protected]. finding one. ...continued from page 1 Volunteer section became the Peoria Audubon Society. A Nature And to be consistent with our chartered purpose of promoting Opportunities conservation and preservation of critical habitat, in 1981, the Peoria Documentary for Birders at Audubon Society elected to become an active chapter of the National Audubon Society. Later on, Peoria Audubon also became Comedy ??? Wildlife an affiliate chapter with the Illinois Audubon Society (“Helping to Competitive preserve the Flora and Fauna of Illinois since 1987”). Recently, birdwatching...may sound Prairie State Peoria Audubon became a member of the Bird Conservation like an oxymoron to you, but Network "http://www.bcnbirds.org", which is a coalition of Park organizations with an interest in the conservation of birds in NE it makes perfect sense to the Melissa Sauder is looking for help with the following items: Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and NW Indiana. participants of The World Series of Birding, who • Possible Guest Speaker and 1-2 Guides for a beginning birding class to be held on Friday, April 22nd. (Please contact ASAP if available) I feel very humbled by efforts of the earlier Audubon members who convene for one day each have worked to create the foundation for the efforts that we continue FieldField TripTrip spring to see which of the • Reestablishing Bluebird Box Routes today. more than 120 international teams can identify the most bird Assist with monitoring routes, record keeping, data collection, obser- species in 24 hours. Not one second later. BirdingBirding thethe IllinoisIllinois RiverRiver vations, and maintenance to develop a consistent yearly record. Sat.Sat. MarchMarch 5,5, 20112011 77 AMAM -- 44 PMPM • The contest goes from midnight to midnight. • Join our Wing Watchers Birding Club! Starting this Spring, we will be • The playing field is the state of New Jersey . establishing a group of birders who meet quarterly to divide and Join us for Peoria Audubon’s next birding trip. The trip will • Any vehicle except aircraft may be used. conquer the park to maintain a record of what species are at the park. Results of the 111th take us to the migratory hotspots of the Illinois River Valley. • All birds counted must be alive and unrestrained. We will meet in February, May, August, and November or December. Results of the 111th The areas visited will depend upon scouting reports shortly • Teams may begin the event anywhere in the state, and follow any AnnualAnnual Christmas Christmas Bird Bird Count Count before the trip. Typical locations include Spring Lake, Chau- route they devise, BUT- • Maintenance of the Hummingbird Feeders • Each team must hand in its totals at the Finish Line by midnight. tauqua, Emiquon and Rice Lake. The timing of the trip should • Assist in the development and implementation of our First Annual coincide with peak spring migration. Equal parts scavenger hunt, science expedition, and endurance test, International Migratory Bird Day Event (Will be held on Saturday, May The World Series of Birding is also a fundraiser, generating millions 14th). Since it is our first year…the possibilities are endless! We plan Participants in last year’s trip witnessed over 40,000 snow of dollars for conservation. The more bird species tallied, the more on including ‘All Things with Wings’, so all if you have an interest in geese in migration. Field trip will be hosted by experienced money raised. Past participants have included some of the most butterflies, moths, dragonflies, etc. and have an interest in developing birders Mike MIller and Maury Brucker. renowned birders in the world, such as Roger Tory Peterson, David a program, leading a hike, giving a demonstration or any other thoughts, please let us know! Trip includes transportation in Park District Van, snacks, Allen Sibley, Kenn Kaufman, and Pete Dunne. • One team mounts a paramilitary operation replete with infrared • Assist in the care of Education Department’s Raptors beverages and a box lunch. Spotting scopes and field guides and GPS devices. will be available along with experts to help identify the birds. • Another team does the event on foot, jogging almost 50 miles. Please contact Melissa at: [email protected] Attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars. The trips are • After scouting for weeks, one team has the entire 24 hours (309) 676-0998 ext. 6756 for any additional information great fun for both experienced and novice birders. planned to the minute. • A Seniors team counts only the birds that fly by the bench on February is National Bird-Feeding Pre-registration is required. Call Forest Park Nature Center at which it sits all day. Photo by Frank Ripp 309-685-3360 for more information and to register. Fee: $35 Month! per person, Nature Center and Peoria Audubon members’ “Opposable Chums” takes you along for the ride, with all of its The National Bird-Feeding Society (NBFS) is The Peoria Co. CBC was held on Saturday, Dec 18, 2010 and discount price $30 per person. Meet at FPNC at 7:00 AM, competitiveness, camaraderie, and caffeine. In doing so, the film pleased to announce that February is had 19 participants, sighting 74 species. According to Thad return anticpated by 4:00 PM. may be very first nature documentary comedy! National Bird-Feeding Month! The theme for Edmonds, the Peoria Count Compiler, "I think the surprises were 2011 is "Most Wanted - America's Top Ten a Turkey Vulture, a Double-crested Cormorant, and 2362 Rock Please join us on March 9 at 7 pm at Forest Park Nature Center Backyard Birds." Throughout the month, the Pigeons." during the general membership meeting for a special screening of NBFS will highlight the joys of bird feeding this film! The Chautauqua count was held on Dec. 23, 2010 by Richard by providing tips and techniques to create Bjorkland. Bjorkland reported 85 species, 37,220 individuals for Source: http://www.opposablechums.com/about_the_film.html a successful bird feeding and watching the Chautauqua count circle. experience, and attract America's top ten birds. The Chillicothe CBC was on Jan. 2, 2011. Tracy Fox, Chillicothe 2010 Peoria CBC: Count Details Count Compiler reported the following: While many of the top ten birds can GOLDEN EAGLE “Nothing exceptional to report on this year’s Chillicothe CBC: no by Maury Brucker be found year round, others may only new species, exceptional high counts or big misses. What With all the Bald Eagles we now visit during spring and fall migration or during the breeding or looked like it could be a miserable day, with freezing have wintering along the Illinois wintering season. By providing bird seed and bird feeders year round, temperatures and high winds, turned out to be a nice day to be River and in the Peoria area, we very offering alternative bird foods and water, putting up bird houses, and out looking for birds. rarely see a Golden Eagle. This is making your yard safe for birds, you can enjoy America's most wanted Thanks to all who got up early and helped out … despite the lack backyard birds. from a totally separate eagle family of rarities and big numbers, these efforts are still critical for and it inhabits mountains and dry tracking the health of our over-wintering Central Illinois birds. The Top Ten Backyard Birds east of the Rocky Mountains are the plateaus. The few Golden Eagles we American Goldfinch, Chickadee (Black-capped/Carolina), Dark-eyed Together, 11 birders in 7 parties found 8910 birds of 67 species. see are most likely vagrants from Junco, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Rose- Ring-necked ducks are infrequent on the Chillicothe CBC, but the western US although these this year a group of 10, a high for the count, was spotted off breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, same eagles are found in Siberia, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Spring Bay. Scandinavia and southern Europe. I was also pleased to see four of the seven teams saw John James Audubon’s depiction of a Whether you live in a rural, suburban or urban environment, there are Red-headed Woodpeckers but the overall count of 11 was still Adult male and female Golden always birds that can be attracted to your yard. Having the right pretty low. The high counts for Chillicothe were in 1993 and 1999 Eagles are all dark with small heads Golden Eagle when 40 Redheaded Woodpeckers were seen. This reinforces and beaks. Immatures have distinctive white patches on the wings combination of food and feeders is the key to a successful bird feeding experience. my perception that these birds were far more plentiful 15 years and rump; see your field guides for these markings. ago. On a birding trip to Alberta, Canada, Emiko and I were treated to an National Bird-Feeding Month was established in 1994. The NBFS is the In other woodpecker news, three of the seven teams reported eagle counting sit. Most of the eagles there were Golden Eagles proud host of National Bird-Feeding Month, and helps make the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers which may be having a mini-invasion Species Counted: 74 backyard bird feeding and watching hobby better for people and wild this year as several bird feeding friends have mentioned seeing Total Individuals: 12,316 coming through one pass in the mountains south of Banff. Count- ing all daylight hours for seven months in the spring and fall, they birds. The NBFS accomplishes its mission by connecting hobbyists them as well. The four Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers sighted tie with education and research about backyard bird feeding. 2009 for the high count record. Details of the local results are available on our website at: totaled up to 7,000 Golden Eagles a year. http://www. peoriaaudon.org/bcs.htm Misses (birds seen on at least 10 previous counts since 1992) Last year I saw my first Golden eagle in Illinois after looking for 20 For more information, visit the National Bird-Feeding Month page or included Killdeer and Wilson’s Snipe, Red-breasted Nuthatch, The national compilation is also available online at: years. I looked over many, many immature Bald Eagles before please contact the National Bird-Feeding Society at 1-866-945-3247 or Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-winged Blackbird.” http://www.cbc.audubon.org/cbccurrent/current_table.html [email protected]. finding one.