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Volume 21, Number 4 ILLINOIS ORNITHOLOGICAL SocIETY

Guest Essay

Springs of a different feather: Watching Mother Nature

BY NICK MINOR

We humans love organization. We love identifying patterns and rules, themes and motifs, and understanding the cycles that envelop us. We like order and consistency, for example, consider taxonomy. HLU1lanity has Publisher spent centuries (and continues today) refining and correcting rules and Illinois Ornithological Society categories to be applied to nature. But very often--enough to keep scien­

President tists at the grindstone--we find nature doing something that has scrambled Robert Fisher our brains. She breaks the rules.

Vice President This spring of 2013, we saw nature break down our organization of Urs Geiser migration. We have determined an established order in which species are supposed to come through, a way birds are supposed to move with the Treasurer weather, but thanks to a rather late-staying winter, all this was thrown Alex Meloy to the wind. Wilson's Warblers influxed with waterthrushes, Mourning Recording Secretary Warblers with redstarts, panilas with Blackpoll Warblers. And minds were Denis Bohm indeed scrambled. Spring Bird Counts, normally catching a massive brunt Membership Secretary of the migratory load, we1·e re_latively quiet in much of our state. April Barbara Williams Big Day came up mysterl usly short of what they had been in years past. Chief Editor Species variety in gencraL1luctuated widely. Our systems of categoriza­ Sheryl DeVore tion broke down completely. But it gets even better when compared with the spring of2012. Even Past President mi Jenny Vogt on annual scale, Lbis past 'ptlng 0'f2013 broke any sort of streak or pat­ tern we could have dreamed up. Wi1h early heat in 2012 (exceptional on Board of Directors it· own), birds migrated north far ahead of schedule, whereas in 2013,any AmarAyyash birds that could have headed 1iorth a little early were barricaded by a line Tara Beveroth of cold insect-suppres ing air that covet·ed northern and central Illinois. Joan Bruchman While species variety was great in some warmer parts of Illinois, even Josh Engel into May, many places in the prairie state had little more than Yellow­ Matt Fraker rumped Warblers and kinglets. That, my friends, is weird. Bob Fisher, And all it took was some strange weather patterns. Kenn Kaufman Urs Geiser once said, "Nature defies our every attempt to define and categorize Matt McKim-Louder it," and he was right. But this phenomenon shouldn't be looked at with irritation; nature gives us the power and opportunity to discover new Barbara Williams mechanisms, perspectives and understandings ad infinitum. She compels Associate Editors us to keep learning by constantly defying our expectations. And let's not Steven D. Bailey forget the birds specifically. This is the best part of the story. The bird Jeffery Walk adapted. They went with it. Birds genetically programmed to migrate at specific times lo specific places changed to survive the challenges they Photo Editor faced this spring. MiUlon of year of aclapfation and here we see the Steven D. Bailey beautiful intersection and balancing of nature's systems. The complexity of it all is mind-boggling. We are but tiny observers of one of the grandest StaffIllustrators cycles to ever exist. Peter Olson The spring of 2013 didn't just teach me which birds moved when, or Michael L. Retter P. how to read radar and weather patterns, it also taught me a little bit about Barbara Williams why I'm a birdwatcher. Moving forward, I appreciate a little bit more the kind of people who are birdwatchers. It's about the perpetual discovery Pre-Press Production that birds, and ultimately nature, empower us to make, and that, my Kathy Ade friends, is priceless. [email protected] - After telling his mom that he wanted to be an ornilhologlst at age 3, Printing Nick Minor has been qctively seeking new IU1owledge and experiences related to birds. He spenl the summer of 2013 if!temtng al the Field CityWide Printing, Des Plaines, Illinois Museum and teaching abow nature at Makajawan Scout Rese/'vation. Letter from the Editor MEADOWLARK A JOURNAL OF ILLINOIS BIRDS Leaving a legacy to Volume 2I, Number 4 - 2012 the Illinois Young Birders ISSN 1065-2043 As I read the essay in this issue written by young Visit Our Website at: http://www.illinoisbirds.org birder Nick Minor, I thought of the legacy we at IOS are leaving to the next generation of birders and ornithologists. What began more than 20 years ago Articles ------has grown into an organization that has published Elaeniamania 126 without fail four issues each year that young ornithologists can peruse when looking for patterns -Aaron Gyllenhaal in bird populations and distributions. Those same Illinois's first winter record of the Black- 128 ornithologists and birders will, we hope, help us get throated Blue Warbler at sapsucker wells all that information up electronically for easy access. with notes on other Midwest and Mid-Canada Remember, though, that the information would not winter records be available had it not been forthe countless IOS - David B. Johnson members and volunteers who have turned in reports, written stories and compiled seasonal reports now for 21 volumes. The bridge between the old and the new

can be achieved with understanding and hard work Photo Gallery ______from all ages. Spring Birds 144 & 145 These young birders and ornithologists will someday become the editors, compilers and Web Departments masters of the future for IOS. Indeed, some of them are already contributing now. See Nandu Dubey's The 2012 Illinois Statewide Spring Bird Count 131 drawing on the front cover. - Michael P. Ward and Tara Beveroth I'm also a firm believer in our grant program, which helps young ornithologists gather data to help Field Notes: The 2012 spring migration 138 us better understand the aviafauna population and distribution in Illinois, as well as offer ways to help - Geoffrey A. Williamson the birds that need it the most.

There is gratitude in my heart for all those who have helped all those years, and hope in my heart for those who are to follow. I'm not ready to leave the fold now - I'm having too much fun and feel I can still make a valuable contribution to the organization . But I'm thrilled we have young and old members on the board, or should I say young minds and About Our Cover: old experienced folks, working togetherto Nandu Dubey drew the cover illustration of an keep !OS going. elaenia species. He is a member of the Illinois Young Birders Club and often contributes his artwork to the Illinois Ornithological Society.

Copyright©2013 by the Illinois Ornithological Society.

No part of this journal may be reproduced without the written permission of IOS and the chief edit01· except brief passages of a paragraph or less in which attribution is made to the journal and author.

Volume 21, Number 4 125 Elaeniamania

By Aaron Gyllenhaal

The sun was shining, birds were made this bird most likely a Least next day during school. After get­ singing, and the sky was a bright Flycatcher. After our first good look, ting no responses for a whole day, I blue. It seemed like a great day for something seemed off. The behavior, created a separate thread. This one an afternoon stroll through the local molt pattern and overall coloration of focused on the ID of the flycatcher. park. I was with my dad, Eric, and this bird confused us. We slowly elim­ Ethan posted his photos to this thread my brother, Ethan, and we were doing inated the species of Empidonax fly­ which included another photo of the just that in mid-April 20 1 2. We were catchers one by one. Yellow-bellied crown stripe. Ethan posted the thread looking for birds at the park I moni­ Flycatchers are much more yellow. to Facebook. This caused the thread tor, right after school got out for the Acadian Flycatchers are greenish to spread like wildfire. One of the day. This park, Douglas Park, is in the and they have a completely differ­ first responders was Greg Neise, the middle of a rough neighborhood on ent body shape. Willow Flycatchers founder of the forum who was con­ lhe west side of Chicago, so nobody have a fairly close resemblance to veniently at an ABA meeting so he gives it a chance. Douglas Park is in our bird, but have an orange tip to was surrounded by experts on this fact a great birding place. The one the lower mandible, and so do Alder subject. He stated that it looked to be thing that sets it aside is the marsh, Flycatchers. After effectively elimi­ an elaenia. Some of the best birders which is a rare thing in this part of nating other Empids, the bird flew in the count1y, Kenn Kaufman, Doug Chicago. We were looking for an away. We left it in peace and moved Stotz and Alvaro Jaramillo, indepen­ American Bittern, which had been on, somewhat content with the answer dently responded by concurring that hanging around the marsh for the of Least Flycatcher. this bird was in fact an elaenia. Now, past couple days. After a short search, We finished birding Douglas Park the debate was between Small-billed we flushed it from the same area as and went home. I posted pictures Elaenia and the Chilean subspecies of before and snapped a couple pictures, of the flycatcher onto a forum for White-crested Elaenia. Small-billed appreciating its presence. Illinois birding. One of my young would be a first ABA record, while When we started to walk around birder friends, Nathan Goldberg, White-crested would be a second as it the edge of the marsh, Ethan noticed weighed in saying that the flycatcher was previously found in south Texas a bird flitting around in the willows. looked like it could be an elaenia, 9-10 Februaiy 2008. After experts We thought it was an Ernpidonax­ a bird that would be thousands of seemed to agree on the fact better type flycatcher. Empidonax flycatch­ miles away from its homeland of photos were needed to reach an abso­ ers are a group of flycatchers con­ South or Central America. This rein­ lute consensus, I went to bed. taining five species regularly seen in stated my suspicions and caused me We left early the next morning, Illinois, and are notorious for being to look at my photos again. This time just beforesunrise, in hopes of finding difficult to identify. They tend to 1 noticed a white crown stripe in one the elaenia. My dad let me cut the first arrive in early May, except for Least of my photos. I responded to Nathan half of the school day, so I had about Flycatcher, which arrives one or two and asked for the opinion of others. five hours to search for it. Birders weeks before the others. This fact Nothing. I was in suspense the whole descended on the park from all over

126 Meadowlark Elaenia species.

Oak Park, Cook County. 21 April 2012. Photos by Ken Koontz.

Note the central white crown stripe indicative of several elaenia species. Also note, the presence of a third white wingbar.

the Chicago area and beyond. Despite the evening, I watched as the thread or small for White-crested. Most all of the eyes looking, we had no erupted with various opinions from importantly, the bird never called. luck for the first five hours, but other observers. This continued for another Calls are extremely important to birds were everywhere. A LeConte's day. Even though my dad had to leave flycatcher identification as they are Sparrow was the best find with a town, my mom was able to take us to almost always conclusive to species. singing Sora taking second. Also seen Douglas Park on Saturday. As a young birder, this is the type were Wilson's Snipe, Sharp-shinned Saturday was not nearly as good of find that you would only dream Hawk, and flocks of Double-crested of a birding day as Thursday. The about. The fact that it was found in the Cormorants. Five hours after our only positive was the elaenia was park l monitor made the experience arrival, I had some great new park less challenging to find. Other birds even more special. birds but was convinced we would were almost non-existent. There was not refind the elaenia. The story of this bird was so a crowd of birders from many states compelling that CBS Evening News, The second we got back to our car, including California,Te xas, Colorado, National Public Radio, Chicago ready to head back to school, I saw and North Carolina. The elaenia was newspapers, and websites across the Joe Lill running across the front of the seen the whole day on Saturday and world all picked up this story. fieldhouse. I followed him and learned Sunday, but when Monday came, it Editor's Note: Both White-crested that Doug Stotz has just refound the was nowhere to be found. With that, and Small-billed Elaenias have very elaenia! After a moment of relief, I Elaeniarnania drew to an end, as did large South American ranges with searched ravenously for the elaenia, the most memorable birding experi­ the White-crested breeding through­ along with the few dozen birders ence I have ever had. out much of the Andes in both the remaining. It was found again in half No matter how many people tried, an hour and we all saw it. The views northern and southern portions of no absolute conclusion could be met these mountains in South America, were not anything conclusive beyond between Small-billed and White­ what we had previously seen. The with some races wintering over a crested Elaenia. This bird's plumage large portion of the rest of South elaenia flew into a large tree and sight was so worn, that it caused prob­ was lost. It disappeared fora while, but America during the austral winter. lems when trying to identify it. For Small-billed breeds in the southern other great birds popped up. Osprey example, Small-billed Elaenias have and Merlin were the highlights. portion of South America and also three wingbars while White-crested disperses widely, northward over Three hours later, the elaenia was usually have two. Wear erased half much of northern South American refound northeast of where it had of the wingbar on one side and faded during the austral winter. been. After everybody got it, it wan­ it on the other, making this fieldrnark -Aaron Gvllenhaal dered north throughout the park. Great inconclusive, as White-Crested can 1003 S. Elmwood photos were obtained and I hoped that have a faded third wingbar. The white Oak Park, IL 60304 it could be identified to species. In crest was either big for Small-billed [email protected]

Vo lume 21, Number 4 127 Illinois's first winter record of the Black-throated Blue Warbler at sapsucker wells with notes on other Midwest and Mid-Canada winter records

By David B. Johnson

On the morning of 27 December Subsequently, for just over two was noted along with a white edge 201 l, I was on my way to work weeks, at least 50 observers were to the folded wing. The warbler's in downtown Chicago, Tllinois. able to see this rare wintering warbler. soft parts included a black eye, thin T had taken an alternate route just Bob Andrini took photographs of pointed blackish bill and darkish­ east of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in both the warbler and sapsucker on fleshy colored legs and feet. Later Millennium Park at the north end 5 January 2012; the photographs photographs would reveal a greenish of Grant Park, Cook County. I took are published in Illinois Audubon tinge to the cobalt blue back feathers this route to search for the Harris's (Andrini 2012). During one of my that first year males have (Dunn and Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) that early afternoon visits on 6 January Garrett 1997, Pyle et.al. 1997). This Robert Hughes had observed on 2012, l witnessed at least 22 birders feature is shown well on the Chicago 23 December 2011 in front of the and photographers at the 239 East Tribune video (Bzdak 2012) and Aon Building on Randolph Street Randolph Drive site watching and other photographs. east of Michigan Avenue. On my photographing the warbler. The next Feeding and Interaction way I heard several White-throated day the warbler's presence made a with an Immature male Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) bit of media frenzy when both a and while at the sidewalk next to link to a video (Bzdak 2012) of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker the McDonald's Cyclery Center the warbler at Millennium Park and During the Black-throated Blue at 239 E. Randolph Drive I heard an article (De Vore 2012) appeared Warbler's stay at Millennium Park another White-throated Sparrow in the Chicago Tribune's Saturday from 27 December 2011 through 12 under a juniper along with some paper. More birders, photographers January 2012, the warbler was most House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). and passers-by came to view the often seen in association with an I pished toward the juniper and rare warbler. To my knowledge, Lisa immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker amazingly out flew a male Black­ Rest and I were the last to observe at drill holes, feeding on the rows throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga the warbler just before and during of fresh oozing sap at a hybrid caerulescens), feeding on the ground the beginning of a snowstorm on 'Homestead' elm tree, though often with the sparrows. Later the warbler 12 January 2012. Despite extensive the warbler would get chased off by flew to one of three trees next to the searching for several days the warbler the sapsucker. Holmes (2005) makes sidewalk where I noticed sapsucker was never found again though the no specificmention of Black-throated drill holes were being used by the sapsucker lingered until 16 January Blue Warblers feeding on/at sapsucker warbler to obtain food from sap. Soon 2012. wells, though this specie feedjng I also saw an immature male Yellow­ Prior to this winter record the latest habits have been studied extensively bel Ii ed Sapsucker ( Sp hyrapicus fall date for lllinois was 27 November during the breeding season. However, varius) on the other side of the tree. 2009, a male photographed by Gail L. as noticed with the Millenium Park I couldn't believe it! l studied the Sadock in Grant Park, Chicago, Cook bird, Black-throated Blue Warblers Black-throated Blue Warbler for 10 Co. (Paul Clyne pers. comm.). Bohlen routinely feed (on insects) by hover­ minutes and, after taking some field (1989) has listed 14 November, a gleaning, and will do so, especially notes, T posted the sighting on TBET male in Champaign Co., forthe latest on their wintering grounds while (email list: IL Birders Exchanging departure date for the state. occasionally feeding on small fruits Thoughts) with my Iphone. Then, T and flower nectar, as well as sugar­ Identification rushed across Randolph Drive where, water at hummingbird feeders and almost immediately, I ran into Robert Upon first observing the warbler frequently on honeydew excreted by Hughes and told him ofthe news. Most I was immediately struck by cobalt scale insects on Bursera simaruba importantly Robert had a camera! We blue dorsal surfaces of the warbler's (gumbo-limbo) trees in Hispaniola raced back across Randolph Street back, nape and crown feathers; the (Latta et al. 2001). Mousley (1917) whereupon Bob began to capture long black flanks extending up to does mention an instance of a female images of the warbler on one of the the black chin and throat; black in Black-throated Blue Warbler that trees. We, then, had photographic the face contrasting with the very he watched, apparently in Quebec, documentation of this extremely rare white ventral breast, belly, vent and on 16 October 1916 (his latest record winter warbler sighting just two days undertail coverts. The distinctive for the species there), hover gleaning after Christmas. white square on the black wings

128 Meadowlark at sapsucker wells in an Black-throated Blue Wa rbler American beech tree sipp ing sap from sapsucker tree­ (Fagus gr andifolia) for holes in Millenium Park, Chicago, the sap and possibly insects Cook County. 9 Ja nuary 2012. Th e attracted to it. tree was a hybrid 'Homestead' elm. This commensalism or symbiotic relationship where the warbler bene­ Ye llow-bellied Sapsucker fited without harming the at the same tree where the sapsucker was noted by Black-throated Blue Wa rbler Bob Andrini (2012) and was seen in Millenium Park, other observers of the Chicago, Cook County. warbler and sapsucker. 9 Janua1y 2012. Other times the warbler was Photos by Ja ckie Bmvman. observed feeding on insects or other in extreme southern fooditems under leaf litter, sunflower Florida with very few and millet seeds put out for the wintering farther north. sparrows and the warbler, mealworms, Eastern seaboard and suet plugged into some of the wintering records sap-sucker drill rows and knots of north of Florida are the deciduous trees in front of the extremely rare (Holmes McDonald's Cycle Center. The warb­ et al. 2005). During ler also associated with several early winter the last Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile 30 years of Christmas atricapillus) in the park and seemed Bird Counts, numbers also loosely associated and fed with of Black-throated Blue White-throated and House sparrows. Warblers reported have The warbler was often seen hover­ ranged from 3 to 29 gleaning like a kinglet over the drill individuals every year holes looking forfresh sap ooze. I had in Florida. In California, seen warblers at these sapsucker drill where they are casual holes earlier in the fall at Bicentennial in winter, reports have Plaza and Millennium Park in North ranged from one to three Grant Park - particularly Yellow­ birds in 10 years of the rumped (Dendroica coronata), Cape last 30 years of CBCs May (Dendroica trigrina), and (Audubon website: www.audubon. ly all in early winter (Alan Worm­ Orange-crowned Warblers ( Vermivora org/ c bco b serv a tion /Historic al/ ington pers. comm.). All Midwest celata), and Ruby-crowned Kinglets SpeciesData). Winter vagrants seem records have occurred mostly in early (Regulus calendu!a), watching them to be more regular in far western December through January with no getting sap nutrients fromthese holes states with 3 records in Oregon, two sightings in February. However, there and not just insects though they could in western Washington, one from is one Ontario, Canadian record for be at these holes, too, when insects British Columbia, 4 in Arizona and a February. There are four records for were still prevalent. January specimen from Idaho (Dunn Ohio, all in Cuyahoga Co., except and Garrett 1997). Within the United for one, as follows: 4-5 Dec. 1993: Winter Range States or Canada an observation of a one at Garfield Heights; 3 and 10 For purposes of this paper winter Black-throated Blue Warbler, except Dec. 2000: one at Lakewood; 10 Dec is defined as meteorological from l for Florida, is an extreme rarity in 2003: one in Elmwood Park, Rocky Dec - 29 February. The normal winter winter with most birds departing River, and 10-13 Dec 2008: one near range of the Black-throated Blue by mid-November - if not earlier. Salem, Mahoning Co. (photographed). Warbler is in the Greater Antilles, Early winter stragglers are extremely Indiana, too, has four records: 8 Dec from Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba rare though they have occurred 111 1949: one at Goshen College in Elkhart to Jamaica; also in the Bahamas. northern inhospitable climes. Co. (a bird flew into a classroom; was It occurs occasionally in the Lesser Other Midwest and caught and released); 30 Dec l 988 - 5 Antilles as far south as Trinidad and Jan 1989: one in Delaware Co.; 8 Dec Mid-Canada winter records along the Caribbean coast of the 1986 - 9 Jan 1987: one in Vigo Co.; Yucatan, Belize, Honduras, becoming There are twelve Midwest winter and 16 Dec 1979 - 30 Jan 1980: one rarer or casual on the Caribbean coasts records for Black-throated Blue in Boone Co. Michigan has but one of Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia and Warbler plus a remarkable 10 in record: 15-24 Dec 1974: one at feeder Venezuela. Small numbers do winter southernmost Ontario, Canada - near- in Berrien Co., photo in University Vo lume 21, Number 4 129 of Michigan Museum of Zoology Acknowledgments to the following individuals who so (Mlodinow 1984, Payne 1983). A special thanks must go to Greg kindly provided recent informationon Wisconsin has two winter records: 27 Neise who kindly provided a topic the lingering and wintering records of Nov - 25 Dec 1996: one, Ozaukee Co. thread on the Millennium Park Black­ the Black-throated Blue Warbler for (likey Mequon, Bob Domagalski pers. throated Blue Warbler on the Jllinois their states or Canadian provinces comm.); and 23 Dec 2011 - 14 Jan Birders Forum (www.ilbirds.com). I (in parentheses are the number of 2012: one, Glendale, Milwaukee Co. am grateful to Robert Hughes, Bob winter records): Illinois (1): Paul photographed by Dan Panetti (this was Andrini, Aaron Gyllenhall, Sam Clyne; Indiana(4): Ken Brock; during nearly the same time period as Burckhardt and other photographers Ohio(4): Craig Caldwell; Kansas this article's bird). Minnesota has one who documented this rarity; particu­ (0): Gene Young and Sebastian Patti; record: 13 Nov 1983 - 2 Dec 1983: larly to Jackie Bowman for the Missouri(O): Charlene Malone and one male, Washington Co., just north wonderful, demonstrative photos that Joshua Uffman; North Dakota(O): of Hastings. This bird lingered just into appear with this article, "Z" Bzdak Ron Martin; South Dakota(O): Ron winter at a suet feeder and survived of the Chicago Tribune who took Martin and Vic and Donna Fondy; two snow storms, a wonderful color both photos and video and to Sheryl Wisconsin(2): Bob Domagalski photograph graces the cover of "The DeVore who got some great press for and Kay Kavanagh; Iowa(O): John Loon" (56:65). Ontario has ten records this bird's occurrence in Chicago (so Bissell and Stephen J. Dinsmore; most of which occurred in early much so that the video had the most Nebraska(O): Ross Silcock and December except for two lingering number of bits during the winter Dave Heidt; Minnesota(l): Kim R. into January, and amazingly one into according to a Tribune photographer Eckert; Michigan(!): Karl Overman; February. These records (pers. comm. pers. comm.). Thanks to Amar Ontario(! 0): Alan Wormington; Alan Wormington) are as follows: 23 Ayyash for providing a website link Manitoba(O): Rudolf Koes. Finally, Nov 2008 - 1 Jan 2009: one female, for the sapsucker "sugar wells" for a thanks must go to all birders, really, Aldershot, Halton County (Rohan A. birds (http://northernwoodlands.org/ too numerous to name, who came to van Twest et al.); 1 December 1995: outside_story/article/yellow-bellied­ see this extreme winter warbler rarity one at Mallory Beach, Bruce County saps uckers-prov ide-food-for-many­ and who shared their notes on IBET (Shawn Giilck); 1 Dec 2008 - 6 Jan species ). A special thanks must go and IBF. 2009: one male, Toronto, Metropolitan Toronto (Steven Rowe et al.); 3-19 Literature Cited Dec 2008: one male, Toronto, Metro­ Andrini, B. 2012. Get a little help The Birds of North America Online politan Toronto (Donald Baxter et from your friends. Illinois Audubon: (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca. Cornell Lab of al.); 5 Dec 1979: one male, Point 320: 23. Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds Pelee National Park, Essex County Bohlen, H. D. 1989. The birds of North America Online: http://bna. (R. Douglas McRae); 5-8 Dec 1993: of Illinois. Indiana University Press. Birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/087 one female, Toronto, Metropolitan Bloomington, IN. 221 pp. Latta, S.C., H.A. Gamper, and J.R. Toronto (Patrick Stepien-Scanlon et Bzdak, Zbigniew. 2012. Video: Tietz. 2001. Revising the convergence al.); l 0 Dec 2011: one, Huntsville, Bird that should be in Caribbean hypothesis of avian use of honeydew: Muskoka District (Trisha Healy, Paula spotted in Chicago. Chicago Tribune, evidence from Dominican Subtropical Jackson); 14-16 Dec 1992: one male, 7 January 2012; Retrieved from dry forest. Oikos 93: 250-259. Port Stanley, Elgin County (Robert A. http ://www. chi cagotri bun e. com/ Mlodinow, S. 1984. Chicago area Hubert et al.); 14-26 Dec 1993: one videogallery/67210775/News/Bird­ birds. Chicago Review Press, Chicago, female, Port Stanley, Elgin County that-s ho u Id-be-in-Carib bean-spotted­ Illinois. 222 pp. (Robert A. Hubert et al.); 13 Jan - i n-Ch icago Mousley, 917. Sap drinking 19 Feb 1989: one female, Toronto, H. l DeSante, D. and P. Pyle. 1986. habits of warblers. Auk 34: 484-485. Metropolitan Toronto (Naomi LeVay, Distributional checklist of North Don Peurarnaki et al.). Payne, R. R. 1983. A distributional American birds. Artemisia Press, Lee As of this writing there are no checklist of the birds of Michigan. Vining, California. 442 pp. Museum of Zoology and Division of winter records for North and South DeVore, S. 2012. This year, flying Biological Sciences, University of Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, south is for the birds (or not). Chicago Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 71 pp. Missouri or Manitoba, Canada. Tribune, 7 January 2012; Retrieved Pyle, P. 1997. Identification guide Author's Note from http://chicagotribune.com to North American birds. Part I. Slate As this article goes to press Dunn, J. and K. Garrett. 1997. Creek Press. Bolinas, California. 732 have again found Black-throated Blue A field guide to warblers of North pp. Warblers (up to 2o, 1 Cfl) regularly America. Houghton Mifflin, New - David B. Jo hnson, visiting sapsucker wells in late York, NY. 656 pp. 504 Cro wn Point Drive, September 2012, solely for the sap, Holmes, R. T., N. L. Rodenhouse Bitffalo Grove, IL 60089; this time at another Chicago lakefront and T. S. Sillet. 2005. Black-throated dj [email protected] park, Bicentennial Park. B Jue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens ),

130 Meadowlark I ' 1 ' 'Ulle• 2011121 lillirm.is Startewide. gpniing�Bi11d Count

nu�rks nhe 4Q>t1cl Sp11ing' Bi1;.cl

New Approach (2 DAYS) In addition Common Redpolls were reported from Will In 2013, we tried something new. Several goals are County. Some other interesting observations to note from associated with the Spring Bird Count and one is to this past year are listed below. While the all-time high sample the bird communities throughout Illinois. While counts are interesting, it is also important to note the spe­ we generally accomplish this goal in many counties, a few cies that were recorded in ve1y low numbers. counties are infrequently covered during the count and some counties with very few censusers; thus the decision •A Purple Gallinule was found in Putnam County. to add one more day to the Spring Bird Count in 2013. It • More Mute Swans were recorded this year than provided for greater coverage of the state and in general ever before. more data, however it did create a greater burden on com­ • Only 12 Upland Sandpipers were located. pilers. Results on Spring Bird Count 2013 with two days are forthcoming. •Black-necked Stilts were detected in 13 counties a new county high record. Spring Bird Count days will now be on the Saturday or •A record number of counties (4) found Scissor­ the Sunday that falls between the 4th and the 10th of May. tailed Flycatchers. The 2013 dates were May 4 and May 5. The goal is not to have censusers go to the same location in consecutive days, •Acadian Flycatchers were widespread with the most ever counties detecting them and at record levels. but rather to do different counties on each day. • Eurasian Collared-Doves continue their invasion with detections in 65 counties. 2012 Results • Bald Eagles were detected in 67 counties, a new A total of 471,597 birds of 222 species were detected. record high. The spring of 2012 in Illinois set many records associ­ •Bell's Vireos were found in the most counties ever ated with an extremely warm March. This early warmth (32) and at record nmnbers. resulted in a much earlier phenology for many plants, and • Henslow's Sparrows were in 43 counties, the most begged the question of whether birds would also arrive ever and a record number were found (263). early. Th SBC aata suggest that either birds did nol arrive • Warblers and thrushes were again low this year in early. If anything, they arrived \ate r imply did not stop many counties throughout the state. For example, in the are

Vo lume 21, Number 4 131 Exotic Bird Species There is a long history of exotic species in lllinois from Rock Pigeons to Gray Partridge to Eurasian Collared-Dove. These are often oddities forbird watchers but in some circumstances can pose significant challenges to native species. The data from the Spring Bird Count can help track the spread of these species. While some pecies appear to have fixed ranges, semember that many invasive plant species oflell reside in an area for decades before their populations explode. We choose to highlight four species.

Figure 1: Eurasian Tree Sparrow 1975-1 985 & 1986-2012. Although Eurasian Tree Sparrows were released in St. Louis in 1870 they have not spread at the rate of other species, notably their congener House Sparrow. While they are not spreading quickly, they appear to be steadily spreading northward along the Tllinois and Mississippi Rivers. lCOt" lr�O SJl.'UOYI

,,.,, ...... , •••II " IDl•IO ttl

Em

Mute Swan The stronghold of this

invasive species is in northeast Lcueu� Lc�Clld SOC Eur�1l•n TrccS�"'O"N SOC Euroll•11 Trre S�•now an central lllinois along the r,,�"'I"" '�"" lllinois River. • Ill • ...... -Uf• tli " .,...�.,, ... f}!� Ui•lf S\tl1�1 u - ·- 1• �-.� . ._ ...... :.... · II - ·····

Figure 3: House Finch 1975 -1985 & 1986 -2012. House Finches are native to western North America, but were transported to New Yo rk as a caged bird. With the pass­ ing of the Migratory Bird Act pet stores in New York released the birds in 1918. The species quickly expanded west, as can be seen in the first map that shows the first arrivals in Illinois were on the easternedge of the state. '' �· �•• u U•H ... . -·� ' ......

132 Meadowlark Species 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Ta ble 1. The relative rank Red-winged Blackbird I l l 1 l of species in terms of American Robin 2 2 2 2 2 abundance (top 20 European Starling 3 4 3 4 4 in 2012) in a Common Grackle 4 3 6 3 3 given year. Canada Goose 5 5 7 5 5 House Sparrow 6 9 9 7 6 American Goldfinch 7 6 10 10 7 Northern Cardi11al. 8 JI 14 11 10 Brown-headed Cowbird 9 7 12 9 :8 Mourning Dove 10 14 l5 12 9 Barn Swallow I I 12 4 8 11 Tree SwaU.ow 12 10 5 6 13 - Michael P Wa rd Indigo Bunting 13 20 18 13 12 203 W Grand Ave. American Coot 14 39 93 46 57 St. Joseph, IL 61873 American Golden-Plover 15 53 48 70 59 [email protected] Ye llow-rumped Warbler 16 15 17 17 32 Mallard 17 18 19 21 20 - Ta ra Beveroth Ring-billed Gull 18 17 16 14 14 1816S. Oak St. Double-crested Cormorant 19 38 32 35 23 Champaign, IL 61820 Common Ye llowthroat 20 33 35 31 27 [email protected]

One of the more interesting data sets is one that shows how common species are tlu·ough time. Though this can be difficultto Key: interpret due to differential effort To p II = Species Bottom II = Observers through years, one approach is to simply rank how common a spe­ cies is in a given year and com­ pare that rank to previous years. Red-winged Blackbirds continue to retain the designation of being the most common along with American Robin, which continues to be the second most common species detected.

Figure 4. The number of species detected and participants (in parenthe­ ses) in Illinois Counties in 2012. The hatched coun­ N ties were not censused. A

Volume 21, Number 4 133 Table 2 - 2012 County Statistics

County Sp. Birds Obs Plys. Start End Miles Miles Miles Hrs Hrs Hrs Walk Drive Other Walk Drive Other Compiler Adams 156 6668 19 9 15 2145 12 443 0 18 42 0 Al Dierkes Alexander 118 3284 5 3 530 1930 5.25 168.25 0 8 26.25 0 Ida Domazlicky Bond 107 2767 4 1 600 1930 3 126 0 5 8.5 0 Charley Marbut Boone 118 2880 3 2 545 1930 14.1 90 0 18 3 0 John Todt Brown 152 3064 3 2 0:00 1730 3 134 0 5 10.5 0 Mike Ward Bureau 137 7177 4 4 330 1915 16.5 267 0 18.5 20.75 0 Doug Stotz Calhoun 135 3534 6 4 350 2150 6.75 286.5 0 6.75 33.25 0 Bill Atwood Carroll 146 5676 4 3 130 1730 8 136 0 9.75 15.25 0 Jeff Baughman Cass 110 2255 2 I 500 1730 I 145 0 j 11.5 0 Robert Randall Champaign 160 8126 35 21 400 2200 66 269.5 0 76.75 18.95 3 Beth Chato Christian 22 188 2 1 820 1230 2 0 0 2 0 0 Nata1 ie Porter Clark N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. Clay 109 1306 2 1 N.R. N.R. 3 115 0 3 4.5 0 Terry Esker Clinton 165 7424 9 6 0 2000 25.5 522 0 25 47 0 Dan Kassebaum Coles 157 753 1 10 5 345 2030 19.5 184 0 23.75 18.75 0 Tyler Funk Cook 193 39845 142 75 500 2000 258.8 330.7 0 334. 18 3 3.33 Alan Anderson Crawford 99 2478 10 4 516 1800 11 220 0 14 22 0 Patricia Neighbors Cumberland 116 1881 7 3 400 2100 6 79 0 10.5 7.75 0 Larry Thorsen De Kalb 131 690 1 17 9 300 2200 34 463 0 47 26.5 3 Darrell Shambaugh De Witt 100 1366 6 3 N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. 0 Lynnette Miller- Ishmael Douglas 100 3106 2 l 700 1500 4 102 0 3 5 0 Mark Alessi Du Page 166 27203 132 41 400 2030 207 324 0 252 18 0 Bob Fisher Edgar 34 1156 2 1 545 1500 3 115 0 1.25 6,75 0 Kendall Annetti Edwards 104 3580 6 4 600 2000 5,5 165 0 7 24 0 Bob Shelby Effi ngham N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. Fayette 157 6095 24 14 445 2245 18.2 577 0 32.5 33 0 Kathy Stokes Ford 71 701 l l 525 1500 3.23 61 0 6 2 0 Eric Smith Franklin 126 3028 5 3 530 1900 14.5 75.5 0 14 10 0 Robert Drennan Fulton 109 3436 9 3 600 2100 11 126 0 12 19 0 Helen Gasdorf Gallatin 81 43 1 2 I 505 1345 6 60 0 4.75 3.92 0 Jake Hennig Greene 97 447 I 1 500 1500 0 10 0 0 9.5 0 John Andrews Grundy 81 1617 5 3 515 1945 9.25 135 0 15.25 9 0 Diane Cooper Hamilton 124 2122 7 3 610 2220 4 168 0 4.15 22 0 Craig Taylor Hancock 110 3467 8 4 630 1807 6 257 0 5 32 0 J. Michael Sallee Hardin 91 667 2 1 710 20 18 1.5 66.8 0 l 10.8 0 Elizabeth Raikes Henderson 122 2591 7 4 205 2000 12.5 187 0 12 16.25 0 Chuck Leib Henry 82 1183 2 I 445 1530 5 76 0 4 5 0 Ed Anderson Iroquois 95 2241 12 9 630 2115 5.15 110 0 22.3 8. 15 0 William Burwell Jackson 141 4595 9 5 400 2023 8.75 281 67.6 8.25 37.5 3.58 Rhonda Rothrock Jasper 115 1431 2 2 330 1430 3 20 1 0 4 15.5 0 Scott Simpson Jefferson N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. Jersey 119 454 1 10 3 430 2130 3.25 61 0 15 10 0 Blair Campbell Jo Daviess 138 10741 30 9 500 1830 14 468 0 28. l 63 0 Grace Storch Johnson 102 1355 4 2 610 2040 3 184 0 8 10 0 Ray Boehmer Kane 165 22216 63 25 430 2030 150 355 25 185 37 4 Jon Duerr Kankakee 129 3934 13 8 535 2000 25.5 107 5 37.25 6.75 l.5 David Atkinson Kendall 152 6696 14 7 415 2000 37.5 205 0 45.9 10 0 Keith Johnson Knox 136 4621 18 II 15 2130 19.4 414.6 0 23.5 41 .4 0 Jim Mountjoy Lake 165 13772 28 9 400 2115 76 327 0 89.75 15 3.25 Gary Hantsbarger La Salle 151 12533 21 12 330 2045 45.5 792 0 57.5 63.25 0 John McKee Lawrence 124 3253 7 3 N.R. N.R. 4.5 200 0 6.5 22.75 0 Julie St. John Lee 97 1542 8 5 600 1900 11 28 0 23 2 0 John Bivins Livingston 138 3638 13 9 N.R. N.R. 18.5 354.4 0 28 34.5 0 David Johnson Logan 95 3086 14 7 520 2026 22.5 188 0 28.5 25.25 0 Steve Coogan Macon 98 2085 15 10 600 20 15 29 53 0 32.5 7.5 0 Melody Arnold Macoupin 97 1526 4 2 444 1830 6.5 73 0 6.75 5.75 0 Vicki Hedrick Madison 132 237 1 6 3 400 2000 11.9 154 0 18 9.5 0 Frank Holmes Marion 134 1805 3 3 300 1500 6 156 0 8 9 0 William Burwell ..; Marshall 70 982 2 1 530 1630 I 125 0 1 10 0 Mary K. Hill Mason 131 4553 4 2 445 1530 6.5 114.5 0 630 2230 0 Richard Bjorklund Massac 119 1646 I l N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. 0 Matt Mckim-Louder McDonough 139 7622 27 15 455 2055 38 388 0 59 43 0 David and Heidi Benson McHenry 143 19000 49 31 500 2000 86.5 669.5 0 97.75 54.75 0 Rob Gough McLean 132 4540 8 5 530 1800 21 225 0 32 9 0 Dale Birkenholz

134 Meadowlark Table 2 - 2012 County Statistics, continued

County Sp. Bircls Obs Ptys. Start Encl Miles Miles Miles Hrs Hrs Hrs Walk Drive Other Walk Drive Other Compiler Menard 103 917 3 2 545 2000 6 62 0 6.5 3 0 Jim Herkert Mercer 105 2605 5 4 53 1932 3.6 108.4 0 4.2 20 0 Bill A. Bertrnncl Monroe 166 9374 9 7 500 2100 21 229 0 21 28.5 0 Carl Daubach Montgomery 127 2967 5 3 458 2045 16.5 196 0 21 15 0 Mark Phipps Morgan 145 4296 4 2 430 2000 6.5 318 0 6.5 26 0 Bill Atwood Moullrie N.R. N.R N.R N.R N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. Ogle 84 1564 5 4 700 1900 7 103 0 10.5 8 0 Richie Wolf Peoria 128 3062 6 3 545 1845 9 1 57 0 1 8 1 0 0 Mike Miller Perry 74 395 1 l 530 1200 2 17 0 2 3 0 Brian Chandler Piatt 104 2212 14 9 545 21 15 20 36 0 24.47 5 0 Charlene Anchor Pike 137 7943 23 13 437 2145 23.5 462 0 23 39 0 Evelyn Hoover Pope 123 2972 9 6 200 2230 JO 155.2 0 16.5 24.75 0 Andrea Douglas Pulaski 102 1551 2 2 530 1330 1.5 66 0 N.R. N.R. N.R. Bob Lindsay Putnam 103 3278 2 2 335 1900 4 49.6 0 6 5 0 Michelle Simone Randolph 143 2778 4 2 539 2015 4 180 0 13.93 12.13 0 Ann Sanders Richlrn1d 140 4862 17 9 400 2000 11.75 347.5 0 12.25 32.25 0 Karen Marie Jameson Rock Island 126 60 17 12 6 430 1900 16.5 283 0 16.5 38.5 0 Tim Murphy SL. Clair 146 5635 8 4 515 2040 15.35 354 0 23.7 17.3 0 Richard Call Saline 114 1302 2 I 340 1730 2 135 0 I 12 0 Tara Bevcroth Sangamon 150 5203 IO 7 430 1930 28.5 199 0 21 23.5 0 Joe Gardner Schuyler 70 1403 19 16 300 1800 12 11.5 0 32.5 6.5 0 Jack Ramsey Scolt 99 819 3 I 600 1730 2.5 96.5 0 3.5 7 0 Marlys Bandy Shelby 126 3020 3 2 500 2200 9 122 0 10 10 0 l<111:en Forcum Stark 107 2180 1 I 415 20 15 4.5 73 0 5 3 0 Jeff Wa lk Stephenson 77 819 3 2 810 2000 4 14 0 12 7 0 George Visel Tazewell 132 5612 7 4 600 2000 12.75 219.2 0 10 31 0 Thud Edmond Union 160 7899 6 5 145 2200 20 385 0 17 42.5 0 Ve rnon Kleen Vermilion 142 6132 9 6 500 2300 18 333 0 35.5 22.75 0 Mt1rily11 Campbell Wabash 123 1302 3 2 730 1830 5 102 0 7.5 5 0 Jacqucllue L. Efallnm Warren 69 1164 10 8 845 1200 22.25 55 0 27.5 6.5 0 Lynn Schoonover Wa shington 105 1223 8 4 700 2000 5.1 66 0 19 3.75 0 Mar.·llnKem per Wayne 106 516 I I 1330 2020 2 99 0 1.83 5 N.R. Marcia Shelby White 95 747 2 l 530 1030 I 90 0 l 4 0 Bob Shelby Whiteside 118 4632 II 6 510 2335 17 343 0 11 23 0 Charlene Knucltcn Will 163 15442 49 19 600 2000 70.4 539.6 0 74 59 0 Bob Harrison Wi lliamson N.R. N.R N.R N.R N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. N.R. Winnebago 170 25075 31 13 330 2359 95.75 799.4 26 114.58 43.25 7 Jack Armslrong Woodford 148 3173 7 5 545 2000 26 147 0 29 15 0 Matthew Winks

N.R. =No Report ** =No data

Table 3 - Species accounts for the 2012 Spl'ing Bird Count

Species To tal No. o[ High County Key to Table: Cos. Birds (Total) * New Spring Bird Count High Total Greater White-fronted Goose 2 2 2 Counties (I) #Ties Previous Spring Bird Count High Total Snow Goose 8 50 2 Counties (15) New species to Count in Bold Face and Underlined Ross's Goose Franklin (I) Species Reported from a Single County in Bold Face Cackling Goose I 1 Richland ( 1) Canada Goose 96 18212 Kane (1668) Mute Swan 18 330" Fulton (78) Species T!.!lilf o. of High County Trumpeter Swan 2 5 Carroll (3) Cos. Birds (Total) 1\mclra Swan 1 1 Champaign (I) Lesser Scaup 34 249 Cook (35) Wood Duck 85 3352 Cook (275) Surf Seater 2 2 2 Counties (I) Gad wall 21 134 Woodford (33) Bufflehead 3 18 Cook (10) American Wigeon 7 14 Union (4) Common Golcleneye I I Sangamon (I) Mallard 90 6427 Cook (1079) Hooded Merganser 32 95 Winnebago (12) Blue-winged Teal 76 1886 Cook (182) Common Merganser 3 7 Will (5) Northern Shoveler 42 527 Clinton (108) Reel-breasted Merganser 19 113 Lake (60) Northern Pintail 4 6 2 Counties (2) Ruddy Duck 21 182 Cook (76) Green-winged Te al 17 65 Cook (17) Ring-necked Pheasant 49 541 Champaign ( 111) Ca nvasback 4 18 Pike (12) Greater Prairie-Chicken 2 42 Marion (33) Redhead 5 8 2 Counties (2) Wild Turkey 84 957 Winnebago ( 133) Ring-necked Duck JO 22 2 Counties (4) Northern Bobwhite 68 733 Edwards (62) Greater Scanp LaSalle (I) Common Loon 21 49 Jasper (7)

Vo lume 21, Number 4 135 Table 3 - Species accounts for the 2012 Spring Bird Count, continued

Species Io ta I No. of High County Species Tot!!! !::la. !lf High County Cos. Birds (Total) Cos. Birds (Total) Pied-billed Grebe 52 229 Cook (28) Dunlin 20 395 Fayette (235)* Horned Grebe 8* 11 DuPage (4) Stilt Sandpiper 5 16 Fayette (I 0) Eared Grebe 2 2 2 Counties (I) Short-billed Dowitcher 22 162 Fayette (63) Western Grebe Clinton (l) Long-billed Dowitcher 6 28 Fayette ( 12) American White Pelican 32 2330 LaSalle (440) Wilson's Snipe 25 96 DuPage (27) Double-crested Corrnoranl 64 6061 Lake (23 14) American Woodcock 27 100 Winnebago (16) Neotropic Cormorant 1# 1# Cook (!)# Wilson's Phalarope 5 6 Cook (2) American Bittern 15 22 Cook (3) Laughing Gull 2 2 2 Counties (I ) Least Bittern 8# 12 Massac (4) Franklin's Gull l Sangamon (l) Great Blue Heron 94 3374 DuPage (345) Bonaparte's Gull 6 174 Hancock ( 100) Great Egret 52 1416 Cook (312) Ring-billed Gull 40 6148 Cook (2298) Snowy Egret 6 37 Monroe (12) Herring Gull 10 414 Lake (322) Little Blue Heron 14 86 St. Claire (42) Lesser Black-backed Gull J Lake (I) Cattle Egret 7 88 St. Claire (44) Caspian Tern 26 796 Lake (373) Green Heron 77 457 Cook (58) Common Tern 7 60 Lake (49) Black-crowned Night-Heron 16 263 Cook (209) Forster's Tern 22 176 Lake (106) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 5 10 Union (4) Black Tern 4 9 Lake (6) Glossy Ibis 1# 1# Will (!)# Rock Pigeon 87 2533 Cook (266) Black Vulture 10 85 Pulaski (20) Eurasian Collared-Dove 65* 377 Shelby (24) Turkey Vulture 96 4039 Pike (l70) Mourning Dove 97 9275 Winnebago (470) Osprey 21 48 DuPage (5) Monk Parakeet 2 34 DuPage (25) Mississippi Kite 12 40 Union ( 17) Black-billed Cuckoo 14 29 Pike (8) Bald Eagle 67* 244 Jo Daviess (25) Yellow-bi lied Cuckoo 52 190 Union (27) Northern Han·ier 25 36 3 Counties (4) Barn Owl 4 13* Union (7) Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 29 Cook (10) Snowy Owl l* I* Dekalb (I)"' Cooper's Hawk 59 214 DuPage (47) Eastern Screech-Owl 34 73 Winnebago (8) Red-shouldered Hawk 36 124 DuPage (35) Great HornedOwl 53 177 Cook (17) Broad-winged Hawk 20 34 Union (19) Barred Owl 77 482 Adams (36) Red-tailed Hawk 93 II14 3 Counties (4) Short-eared Owl Dekalb (l) American Kestrel 83 313 DuPage (79)'1' Common Nighthawk 48 191 Hamilton (18) Rough-legged Hawk Livingston (I) Clrnck-wi 11 's-widow 6 19 Marion (8) Merlin 2 2 2 Counties (I) Eastern Whip-poor-will 33 290 Adams (52) Peregrine Falcon 8 12 Cook (5) Chimney Swift 89 4866 Kane (509) Ye llow Rail Sangamon (I) Ruby-throated Hummingbird 88 924 Schuyler (80) King Rail 2 2 2 Counties (I) Belted Kingfisher 73 324 Cook (40)* Virginia Rail 18 55 Lake (10) Reel-headed Woodpecker 94 1155 Pike (79) Sora 47 38 1 Cook (55) Red-bellied Woodpecker 95 3498 DuPage (339) Purple Gallinule I I Putnam (I) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 19 52 Cook (12) Common Moorhen 8 14 Marshall (4) Downy Woodpecker 92 1993 Cook (209) American Coot 75 7731 Putnam (1285) Hairy Woodpecker 83 548* Cook (7 1) Sandhill Crane 17 219 McHenry (57) Northern Flicker 90 1381 Cook (188) Black-belliecl Plover 1 Fayette (1) Pileated Woodpecker 67# 356 Union (42) American Golden-Plover 25 6882 Coles (3800) 01 ive-sided Flycatcher 10 12 2 Counties (2) Semipalmated Plover 24 142 Fayette (29) EasternWood-Pewee 90 1058 Union (126) Killdeer 94 3250 Cook (149) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 4 5 Union (2) Black-necked Stilt 13* 54 Fulton (13) Acadian Flycatcher 57* 539* Union (140) Greater Yellow legs 49 409 Clinton (78) Alder Flycatcher 2 4 Jackson (3) Lesser Yellow legs 63 1161 Cook (167) Willow Flycatcher 19 30 2 Counties (4) Solitary Sandpiper 70 961 Cook (189) Least Flycatcher 55 287 Cook (67) Willet 3 55 LaSalle (48) Eastern Phoebe 92 1615 Winnebago (84) Spotted Sandpiper 69 777 Cook (84) Great Crested Flycatcher 92 1924"' Winnebago (155)* Upland Sandpiper 7 12 Jasper (3) Western Kingbird 1 l Madison (I) Rudely Turnstone 3 Lake (3) Eastern Kingbird 97 2526 DuPage (125) Sanderling 3 5 Fayette (3) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4 4 4 Counties (!) Semipalmated Sandpiper 17 104 Fayette (22) Loggerhead Shrike 11 25 Edwards (7) We stern Sandpiper 4 19 Alexander (l3) White-eyed Vireo 65 775 Union ( 137) Least Sandpiper 46 815 Cook (131) Bell's Vireo 32* 101" St. Clair ( 17) White-rumped Sandpiper 5 11 2 Counties (4) Ye llow-throated Vireo 69 598 Winnebago (59) Baird's Sandpiper 3 10 Monroe (7) Blue-headed Vireo 36 102 DuPage (14) Pectoral Sandpiper 41 469 Stark (80) Warbling Vireo 88 2055 Cook (151)

136 Meadowlark Table 3 - Species accounts for the 2012 Spring Bird Count, continued

Species To tal No. of High Count}' Species To tal No. of High County Cos. Birds (Total) Cos. Birds (Total) Philadelphia Vireo 37 77 Champaign (8) Black-and-white Warbler 67 496 Cook (148) Red-eyed Vireo 86 1426 Union (103) American Redstart 75 1251 Cook (149) Blue Jay 97 5392 DuPage (5 I I) Prothonolary Wa rbler 63 483 Union (70) American Crow 96 4438 Winnebago (35 l) Worm-eating Warbler 31 120 Union (34) Fish Crow 17# 120 Alexander (21) Swainson's Warbler I I Franklin (I) HornedLark 86 1052 Clinton (86) Ovenbird 72 600 Cook (115) Purple Martin 83 3149 Vermilion (139) NorthernWaterthrush 61 648 Cook (227) Tree Swallow 88 8329 McHenry (743) Louisiana Waterthrush 54 209 Union (26) No. Rough-winged Swallow 88 3390 Kane (3 15) Kentucky Warbler 62# 483 Union (9 1) Bank Swallow 54 3517 McHenry (1101) Connecticut Warbler 4 4 4 Counties (I) CliffSwallow 71 5444 Bureau (399) MourningWarbler 9 21 Macon (7) BarnSwallo w 95 8414 Cook (604) Common Yellowthroat 92 5763 Cook (406) Carolina Chickadee 38 576 Richland (59) Hooded Warbler 24 68 Union (18) Black-capped Chickadee 62 3283 Winnebago (488) Wilson's Warbler 21 68 Cook (IG) Tufted Titmouse 89 2759 Union (240) Canada Warbler 10 17 2 Counties (4) Brown Creeper 21 31 3 Counties (3) Yellow-breasted Chat 68 545 U11ion (78) Reel-breasted Nuthatch 10 25 Iroquois (5) Summer Tanager 63 568 Union (106) White-breasted Nuthatch 90 1756 Winnebago ( 169) Scarlet Tanager 81 834 Cook (97) Carolina Wren 77 1131 Union (190) Eastern Towhee 91 2083 DuPage (154) Bewick's Wren I Brown (1) American Tree Sparrow 3 4 Macon (2) House Wren 90 435 1 Winnebago (541 )"' Chipping Spmrnw 95 56 19 Winnebago (506) Sedge Wren 22 119 Kane (32) Clay-colored Sparrow 12 51 Winnebago (9) Marsh Wren 35 233 2 Counties (38) Field Sparrow 95 3002 DuPage (255) Golden-crowned Kinglet I Scott (!) Vesper Sparrow 51 327 Winnebago (33) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30 226 Cook (87) Lark Sparrow 38 152 Winnebago (27) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 94 3876 DuPage (402) Savannah Sparrow 74 1675 Cook (28 1) Eastern Bluebird 94 2765 Winnebago (I 17) Grasshopper Sparrow 68 55 1 Jo Daviess (I 18) Veery 47 202 Cook (79) Henslow's Sparrow 43* 263"' Union (36) Gray-cheeked Thrush 40 131 Cook (18) Le Conte's Sparrow 2 3 Saline (2) Swainson's Thrush 71 505 Cook (63) Fox Sparrow 4 4 4 Counties (I) Hermil Thrush 26 52 Cook (ll) Song Sparrow 94 57 12 DuPage (645) Wood Thrush 92 1249 Winnebago (85) Lincoln's Sparrow 34 191 Cook (58) American Robin 97 34462 Cook (2996) Swamp Sparrow 58 1052 Cook (390) Gray Catbird 92 4845 Cook (551) White-throated Sparrow 72 1974 Cook (732) Northern Mockingbird 72 519 Richland (38) White-crowned Sparrow 84 2777 Cook (883) Brown Thrasher 94 1855 Jo Daviess (66) Dark-eyed Junco 4 4 4 Counties (I) European Starling 96 22086 Cook (1806) Smith's Longspur 2il 3 Winnebago (2) American Pipit 12 65 Winnebago (29) Northern Cardinal 96 10846 Winnebago (830) Cedar Wa xwing 76* 2123 Adams (l14 ) Rose-breasted Grosbeak 92 324 1 Cook (307) Blue-winged Warbler 33 193 Cook (28) Blue Grosbeak 49 220''' Union (23) Golden-winged Warbler 24 126 Cook (36) Indigo Bunting 96 7851 Union (507) Te nnessee Wa rbler 82 2282 DuPage (428) Dickcissel 83# 4058* Monroe (3 15) Orange-crowned Warbler 22 96 Cook (24) Bobolink 68 1650 DuPage (141) Nashville Warbler 72 1072 Cook (292) Red-winged Blackbird 96 55759 McHenry (4868) NorLhernPamla 83 1247 Union (109) Eastern Meadowlark 96 4545 Jo Daviess (l 88) Yellow Warbler 88 2645 Cook (402) Western Meadowlark 26 113 Jo Daviess (20) Chestnut-sided Warbler 64 419 Cook (87) Yellow-headed Blackbird 5 29 Cook (12) Magnolia Wa rbler 61 49 1 Cook (143) Rusty Blackbird 2 2 2 Counties ( l) Cape May Warbler 35 106 Cook (24) Brewer's Blackbird 2 13 Lake (12) Black-throated Blue Wa rbler 10 25 Cook (13) Common Grackle 97 21154 Cook (l 170) Yellow-rumped Warbler 83 6601 Cook (2227) Brown-headed Cowbird 96 9863 Cook (737) Black-throated Green Warbler 60 716 Cook (2 13) Orchard Oriole 83 824 Monroe (94) ·I BlackburnianWarbler 35 130 Cook (33) Baltimore Oriole 95 4939 Cook (488)'' Yellow-throated Warbler 57 228 Union (34) Purple Finch 19 113 Pike (30) Pine Warbler 25 104 DuPage (18) House Finch 90 1923 Winnebago (148) Prairie Warbler 24 131 Pope (35) Common Redpoll I* 2* Will (2)"' Palm Warbler 76 3829 Cook (1776) Pine Siskin 8 44 DuPage (24) Bay-brem;ted Warbler 21 51 Cook (10) American Goldfinch 96 11159 Winnebago (978) Blackpoll Warble!' 56 286 Clinton (27) House Sparrow 96 12920 Cook (1014) Cerulean Warbler 27 76 Jackson ( 18) Eurasian Tree Sparrow 30* 516 Pike (70)

Volume 21, Number 4 137 Field Notes:

The 2012 Spring Migration

By Geoffr ey A. Williamson

Wh ite-winged Dove drawing by Na ndu Dubey...... mii E?:::::::==:::r" I

Many observers lamented that the 2012 spring season was a Below are discussed some of the more significant aspects and poor one characterized by very low numbers of migrants. Eric records of the season. Walters remarked that this "was the worst spring passerine migra­ Virginia Rails arrived very early. Previously, there had been tion in 35 years." H. David Bohlen commented that high counts 11 March records involving 14 birds. This spring added three "were among the lowest for many species of any spring since March records to the mix: 15 Mar in Kankakee County, 16 Mar 1998." He also stated, "Almost all counts of warblers were low, in Massac County, and 23 Mar in Jasper County. The first two and the weather and the very dense vegetation made viewing ex­ bested the prior record-early date set 19 Mar 1987 in Springfield. tremely difficult." Yet this spring season provided an incredible This year's two record setting dates plus that of Lhe 1987 Spring­ number of early arrival dates, making it one of the more inter­ field bird are the only ones earlier than the 23 Mar date for this esting one from the standpoint of the state's avian annals. The year's Jasper County bird. reason? Exceptionally hot and dry conditions. Black-necked Stilts made significant incursions into the cen­ The average statewide temperature for the period from March tral and northern tiers of the state. Counties in the central por­ to May was in 2012 a whopping 8°F warmer than normal, provid­ tion of the state from which stilts were reported included Adams, ing for the hottest spring among the 118 years for which we have Brown, Champaign, Coles, Fulton, Mason, McLean, Mercer, and temperature records. March was particularly warm, with record Sangamon, while the northern counties hosting these birds were setting average tempatures of 55.3°F, more than 15° hotter than Lake, McHenry, Putnam, and Will. Lake County's first record of the 40° norm. In Chicago between the 14th and 22nd of March, Black-necked Stilt occurred 22 Apr 1992, and was just the ninth temperatures exceeded 80° on eight of those nine days and set record statewide (Johnson, 1992). The 1998 spring season, just records on each, peaking at 87° during a period when 60° would 14 years prior to this, marked the first county records for Black­ be considered unusually mild. The one day in that span when neckecl Stilt in Champaign and Sangamon counties (Clyne, 1998). tempertures reached "only" to 78°, the record high for the elate The total number of Black-necked Stilts reported statewide that was still tied. These warm temperatures followed one of Illinois's season was 15, a significantly high total at that time. This spring, mildest winters, which concluded with a February that was 5.5°F eBird (Sullivan et al., 2009) included reports total ling to 659 warmer than normal, though in June temperatmes returned close sti lts. This total from eBird certainly includes duplicate sightings to the usual level. Seasonal change in vegetation occurred some of some birds. Nonetheless, eliminating al I potential duplicates three to fourweeks ahead ofscbeclule, with the leafing out of de­ still leaves at least 68 stilts from central Illinois and nine or more ciduous trees being especially noticeable. Furthermore, precipita­ from northern Illinois in the total . The presence of Black-necked tion levels were well below normal between February and June. Stilt in Illinois has clearly changed in the last 15 to 20 years. The impact of the season's warmth on bird migration was The Spotted Sandpiper spotted in early March by Mark Sei­ very apparent and drew the attention of many observers. Associ­ ffert at Carlyle Lake (and possibly the same bird three days later ated with the high temperatures early in the season was an early by Dan Kassebaum) smashed the previous early arrival date by exodus of gulls and other winter residents along with early arriv­ two and halfweeks. This year's birdjoins only three prior March als by many passerine migrants. Richard Bjorklund noted that records for the species. migration at Chautauqua was a fu ll month early. Bohlen com­ Big shorebirds were in good supply. The Whimbrels seen mented that "many species left very early, especially the spar­ 16 Apr at Mermet Lake tied the earliest arrival date, arriving rows." At least 12 species bested or tied record early arrival dates a month ahead of normal. Sightings involving more than one in 2012. These were Virginia Rail, Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Whimbrel are infrequent, as are those away from Lake Michgan, White-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray making the 15 at Spunky Bottoms doubly significant. Conserva­ Gnatcatcher, Worm-eating Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ten­ tively there were at least 25 Hudsonian Godwits noted this spring, nessee Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Henslow's Sparrow. which is a respectable season total. Amazingly, Nathan Goldberg Aclclitionally, record early elates for American Woodcock, Marsh photographed 24 Marbled Godwit$ in one group passing by Chi­ Wren, and Orange-crowned Warbler were also set, if the indi­ cago's Montrose Point; this total is one shy of the state record viduals involved were not in fact overwintering birds. high count. At least 13 others were seen during the season. The dry conditions also had an impact. Water levels were very The flight of White-rumped Sandpipers this spring was very low in the Illinois River valley in Mason County, and Richard nice, with reports of 20+ coming from five different locations. Bj orklund remarked that the Great Blue Heron and Great Egret The Purple Sandpiper 31 Mar in Waukegan is really rather unusu­ colonies suffered widespread failure there. Water birds in other al. There are just five prior spring records: one 23 Feb to 2 Mar areas were sparse because of the dryness.

138 Meadowlark 2002, another 14 Mar 1961, and records from June in 1979, 1951, clays earlier than average. Prov iding the second earliest arrival and 1895. Dunlin made an early splash into the state. The bird date were five Cliff Swallows 19 Mar, and a Barn Swallow 5 Mar seen 20 Mar in Marion County by Leroy Harrison provided the tied the 2nd earliest arrival date for the species. th ird earliest arrival ever and the two birds in Sangamon County Three very early House Wrens were noted 22 Mar, 29 Mar, found26 Mar by Dave Bohlen were the fo urth earliest for central 30 Mar. The only other March dates for the species are cited in Illinois. This spring's three March records involving 14 Dunlins Bohlen (1989): 16 Mar 1982, 26 Mar fro m early in the 20th cen­ join the prior 14 March records involving 22 birds. The Buff­ tury, and 3 I Mar 1986. Two Marsh Wrens were seen in southern breasted Sandpiper 24 May at Chicago's Montrose Point was just Illinois in early March. In the literature, the earliest date noted for the ninth spring record for the slate. migrant birds is 20 Mar, so these would be record early migrants The American Woodcock on 20 Jan reported by Leroy Har­ unless they represent wintering individuals. However, there were rison in southeast 111 inois was thought to be an early migrant. If no winter reports of Marsh Wren from the areas where these were so, this may be a record early date. Another contender for that dis­ reported. tinction is a bird noted 19 Jan 1985 (Kleen, 1986). Though there The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher seen by Frank Bennett on 17 Mar are four records of American Wo odcock from the first six days of set a new record arrival date. Furthermore, the two gnatcatchers January, the historic record shows a gap with no sightings from seen 25 Mar apparently represent the 5th and 6th earliest records, 7 Jan to 18 Jan of any year. The possibility of birds attempting or but see below. Records earlier than 25 Mar include 23 Mar 201 1 actually managing to winter is difficultto exclucle, nonetheless. (2) from Montrose Point, 23 Mar 20 11 in Johnson Count, 22 Mar The one published record that suggests this may happen concerns 2009 in Urbana. The 22 Mar 2009 was noted in Mahan (2009) as reference to one to three woodcocks in Mas sac County reported the 2nd earli est arrival date, but the review of the literature done by Frank's bird fits the pattern of many early arrivals, but also in preparation of this report did not turn up any ea rlier date. coLtld reflect the impact of a mild winter. The Catharus flight was considered by several reporters to be The incredible invasion of Snowy Owls during the 2011/2012 quite poor. Lower than usual high counts of Gray-cheeked Thrush winter including some late lingering birds. Among them were and Swain son 's Thrush appear to bear these observations out, but three individuals that stayed into May. The birds noted 14 May Hermit Thrush totals in contrast seemed strong. and 11 May are now the first and second latest on record, and The last Snow Buntings noted were seen 24 Feb. This depar­ the one on 5 May the fifth latest. There are only two prior May ture is a month ahead of the average 21 Mar departure date. records forthe species: 9 May 1964 and 8 May 2002. Also very Six of the 36 species or warblers seen this spring had notably late was a Northern Saw-whet Owl photographed in a Champaign early or record early dates. There are only tour earlier records of County garage by Gene Campbell. Only two prior May records Ovenbird ( 4 Apr 1969 and 14 Apr of 1986, 1992, and 2002) than exist, and this year's is the latest. this year's 15 Apr 20 12 bird. The Wo rm-eating Warb ler noted 6 Hands down, the bird of the season was the flycatcher dis­ Apr tied the record early elate from 1977. The Louisiana Water­ covered and photographed by Aaron and Ethan Gyllenhaal in lhrush 14 Mar was the state's third earliest, bested only by birds Oak Park, Cook County, on 17 Apr. When photos were posted to seen 11 Mar 1986 and 12 Mar 20 l l. The Black-and-white War­ the internet, Nathan Goldberg suggested the bird was an elaenia, bler seen 21 Mar by Dave Bohlen in Springfield, the two seen 25 setting off"Elaenia Mania" for the remainder of the bird's visit, Mar at Ft. Massac State Park by Keith McMullen, and the ones 29 which lasted to 22 Apr. While a conclusive identification to spe­ Mar in New Columbia in Massac County fo und by Frank Bennett cies has not yet been made, evidence is currently leaning toward and in Whiteside County by Dan Williams were all notably early. Small-billed Elaenia, which would constitute a firstrecord for the Prior to this season there were only nine March occurrences of United States. The other possibility is White-crested Elaenia, in Black-and-white Warbler. Of these, eight were during the range which case this would be a second United States record. from 29 to 31 Mar, with the rema ining one on the record early Of the six regularly occurring vireo species, five posted no­ date of 16 Mar set in 2003 at Carlyle Lake. Birds seen 29 Mar tably early arrivals this spring. An early White-eyed Vireo seen 1981 and 1991 in Springfieldby Dave Bohlen and 29 Mar 2003 19 Mar by Keith McMullen at Mennet Lake Conservation Area in Waukegan by Joan Bruchman were the only March records beat the previous record arrival date by one day and provided outside the southern tier, so that Dave Bohlen's bird this year just the fifth March date for the species in Illinois, all of which posted a new record-early date for central Illinois and Dan Wi l­ have occurred in the southernportion of the state. Frank Bennett's liams's bird tied the record date for northern Illinois. The total sighting on 28 Mar, also at Mermet Lake, provided a sixth March number of March records for the species jumped from nine to record. Early as well was the Ye llow-throated Vireo on 31 Mar, 13 in just one year. Keith McMullen located two Prothonotary wh ich is but the fifth March record. Furthermore, there are only Warblers in the first third of April: 6 Apr in Johnson County and nine dates forBell's Vireo that are earlier than this year's sighting 9 Apr at Mennet Lake. Both these birds bested the prior recorcl­ on 28 Apr. Seven of these occurred in the last six years, which early date of 11 Apr for the species. The Tennessee Warbler found lies in the period of the Southernmost Illinois Birding Blitz. That by Frank Bennett 6 Apr in Massac County joins last year's 9 Apr event may encourage more effort forlocating early arrivals of this 2011 bird (also Massac County) as the two earliest on record and species. The Wa rbling Vireo foundby Keith McMullen 31 Mar al the only ones from the first third of April. There are a couple of Mermet Lake Conservation Area was record-early by two days, dates from the first few days of April for Orange-crowned War­ and McMullen 's Red-eyed Vireo on 6 Apr at Pomona in Jackson bler, and these are the earliest migrants of the species we have County was record-early by three days. on record. The Orange-crowned seen 31 Mar at Ft. Massac State Swallows arrived early as well. The only records earlier than Park by Keith McMullen nudges th is record arrival date back. the Purple Martins seen 2 Mar are of birds 24 Feb 1923 (see However, Leroy Harrison noted as an early arrival an Orangc­ Bohlen ( 1989)) and l Mar 2008. The Northern Rough-winged crowned Warbler 25 Feb in southeast lllinois. If not a wintering Swallow seen th is year on 18 Mar provided a sighting earlier than bird, or one that wintered nearby, this would be an exceptionally all others except for one 16 Mar 1996. Bank Swallows arrived six early elate for a northbound bird.

Vo lume 21, Number 4 139 Josh Engel noted a late lingering American Tree Sparrow in sightings to eBird and to submit their most notable observations Chicago's Grant Park 10 May. There are few later records for the with commentary directly to the seasonal report editor. I nfor­ species, all from the northeast portion of the state. The latest was mation reported in other venues is easily overlooked, and some 27 May 2011 in Chicago's Lincoln Park, with another 21 May significant information in eBird can easily evade notice in the 1985 from Joliet (Will County), and the other later record 16 May volume of data appearing there without attention being brought 1996 in Palatine (Cook County). to it by observer notes. Perspectives on the season as a whole or Alex Bloss's Ve sper Sparrow 11 Mar at Montrose tied the on parts of the season are also quite valuable. record early northern Illinois arrival date from 1985. There are The observers for individual records in the report are cred­ only three Lark Sparrows known to have arrived in ll\inios ear­ ited by including their initials immediately following mention lier than the two seen 9 Apr at Carlyle Lake (Dan Kassebaum) of the record . The individL1als cited are listed below, with the and in Fulton County (Larry Hood). The Grasshopper Sparrow order of the list alphabetic in relation to the observers' initials. photographed 14 Mar at Chicago's Montrose Point by Josh En­ Where more than one observer shares the same initials, a modi­ gel, and presumably the same bird seen there three days later, fied set of intiials is used to provide disambiguation, with this provided record early arrival dates for the species. The previous modification shown in the list of observers. In some cases, a record early date was set 22 Mar 1938, 74 years ago. citation pertains to an organization or institution. Abbreviations Before 2012, there had been 12 Henslow's Sparrows fo und forthese are I isted separately. in March in Illinois. Eleven of these were located in southern Illinois during the spring seasons from 2007 to 20 I 0, so there has List of Organizations and Institutions: been a recent trend for earlier arrival of this species. However, the eight to 10 individuals found 21 Mar of th is year at Prairie BWBW = Busey Woods Bird Walks led by Ridge State Natural Area by Leroy Harrison was unprecented, Greg S. Lambeth at Urbana's Busey Woods both in terms of !he number of individuals for that time of year IORC = Illinois Ornithological Records Committee and also for21 Mar besting the old record early arrival by fo ur IOS = Illinois Ornithological Society field trips days. The 1-lenslow's Sparrow that Josh Engel photographed at NPBW = North Pond Bird Walks led by Chicago's Northerly Island is the second earliest for the state and Geoffrey A. Williamson at Chicago's the earl iest for northern Illinois. The only other March record Lincoln Park from northern Illinois comes fro m a specimen taken in DuPage County 011 28 Mar 1910. Also notable were Keith McMullen's three 1-lenslow's Sparrows 25 Mar in Johnson County, though List of Individual Observers: these "only tied" the prior record early date. Amar A. Ay yash, Alan B. Anderson, Andrew S. Aldrich, Char­ Leroy Harrison's Nelson's Sparrow 4 Jun at Prairie Ridge lene K. Anchor, Cindy M. Alberico, Daniel J. Anzia, David K. An­ State Natural Area set a record late date forsouthern Illinois. All tieau, Les Allen, Alex B. Bloss, Bill A. Bertrand, Jill S. Anderson, Lhe previous eight June records were from northern Illinois (with Kim D. Ainis, To dd Anderson, Don Blecha, Frank K. Bennett, H. seven of those in Chicago). Just three were later than Harrison's David Bohlen, John Bates, Jackie Bowman (JBn), Ken Bohlen, bird: one 5 Jun 1983 in Chicago noted by Jim Landing, one 6 Keith Bowers (KBs), Kathy Bowersox (KBx), Larry G. Balch, Jun I 97 1 at Goose Lake Prairie seen by Larry Balch and Charlie Mark Bowman, Michael J. Baum, Margaret L. Baker, Nick Bar­ Clark, mid the latest 11 Jun 1997 seen by John Purcell in Chicago. ber, Nicholas L. Block, Richard Biss, Ron Bradley (RBy), Rob­ A 1-farris's Sparrow in Logan County was seen on the excep­ ert C. Bailey, Richard G. & Sigurd N. Bjorklund (RG&SNB), tionally early date of 5 Mar by Andy Sigler and Mike Madsen. Samuel B. Burckhardt, Steven D. Bailey, Tim Balassie, To dd E. The only earlier date for Harris's Sparrow in at least the last 27 Bugg, Angelo P. Capparella, Bob Carper, Cody Considine, Con­ years was a bird 14 Feb 2010. nie Carroll-Cunningham, Doug Crane, Elizabeth J. Chato, Frank The Ye llow-headed Blackbird fo und 18 Mar at Emiquon Pre­ Cooper, Gene Campbell, Hal Cohen, Karin M. Cassel, Matthew serve was exceptionally early. [t is the fifth earliest 011 record, and Cvetas, Paul R. Clyne, Rob Curtis, Rena Cohen (RCn), Scott A. one of only 11 for March. Cohrs, Steve & Dot Cooper (S&DC); Alfred G. Dierkes, Bonnie This summary of the spring season would not be possible Duman, Colin Dobson, Carl & Pen DauBach (C&PD), Donald R. without the reporting of sightings in various venues by observers Dann, Jeff Dundek, Jon J. Duerr, Michelle Devlin, Mike Daley throughout the state. The information used to create th is report (MDy), Paul Dacko, Paul K. Doughty, Richard Davis, Roger came from seasonal fieldnotes and sightings submitted to the au­ Digges (RDs), Sheryl L. DeVore, Ty son Dallas, Tim J. Dever, thor, from documentation submitted to the Illinois Ornithological Joshua I. Engel, Kristin Ellis, Robert Erickson, Karen D. Fisher, Records Committee, from reports to eBird (Sullivan et al., 2009), Michal Furmanek, Marylou Flemal (MFI), Matthew E. Fraker, from reports to the several birding list serves in Tllinois, and from Richard Funk, Robert E. Fisher, Sue Friscia, Sean Fitzgerald . - posts to the Illinois Birders' Forum internet bulletin board. The (SFd), Ty ler D. Funk, Aaron Gyllenhaal, Bryan Guarente, Ethan author expresses special appreciation to those 37 individuals who Gyllenhaal, Evan Graff (EGf); Evan Glynn (EGn); Eric D. Gyl­ submitted field notes and commentary directly lo him, as those lenhaal, Eric J. Ginsburg, Glenn Gabanski, Julia Glahn, Nathan submissions always prove especially helpfol in preparing the sea­ Goldberg, Urs W. Geiser, Cathie Hutcheson, Cary D. Hillegonds, sonal summary and add context that is frequently not available C. Leroy Harrison, Dustin Holschuh, Don Hartzler (DHr), Frank through other sources such as eBird and posts to internetbul letin R. Holmes, James Hoyt, Jed B. Hertz, James E. Hampson, Kanae boards and list serves. With more than about 220 cited observers, Hirabayashi, Larry L. Hood, Matt Hale, Michael Hogg (MHg), less than 20% of the individuals are providing information this Mark Hurley (MHy), Robert D. Hughes, R. Given Harper, Scott way. Of course, the effort made by observers to make informa­ Hierbaum, Steven J. Huggins, Ted Hartzler, Tom Heine (THe), tion about sightings available through other means is also appre­ Trevor Hinckley (THy), David B. Johnson, Rhetta Jack, Ye anette ciated. However, I strongly encourage individuals to submit their Johnson, Dan M. Kassebaum, Eric L. Kershner, Greg Keller, Mar-

140 Meadowlark tin 1-1. Kehoe, Peter Kasper, Rob Kanter, Tho111as Kovacs, Thom­ Anne Stra ight, Adam Sell (ASI), Alan F. Stokie, Andrew P. Sigler, as F. [(cl ly, Ve rnon M. Kleen, Cyndi Lubecki, De111elri Lafkas, Bob Schifo, Beverly Seyler (BSr), Brian Stearns (BSs), Beth A. Gregory S. Lambeth, Joshua Little, John Longhenry (JLy), John Simkins, Beau J. Schaefer, Dave Sperry, Douglas F. Stotz, Darrell P. Leonard, Joseph W. Lill, Karen M. Lund, Peter Lowther, Pa111 J. Shambaugh, Eric E. Secker, Jennie Strable, J i111 Smith (JSh), Leiter (PLr), Vicki Lang, Ve rnon La Via (VLa), Wade E. Louis, John Schwegman (JSn), Janice Sweet (JSt), Jeff A. Smith, Jeffrey Anita L. Morgan, Ben Murphy, Carolyn A. Marsh, Cynthia K. 0. Sundberg, Jeffrey R. Sanders, Jeffrey R. R. Skrentny, Jim S. McKee, David & Mary Anne Matjarnaa (D&MAM), D. James Solum, Ken Schneider, Mark S. Seifferl, Paul W. Sweet, Ran­ Mountjoy, Fran R. Morel, Jean Mendoza, Keith A. McMullen, dy L. Shonkwiler, Robert E. Shelby, Suzanne Smith, Stan Stec Karen K. Mansfield, Luis G. Munoz, Mike Mulcahy, Maureen (SSc), Scott A. Simpson, Steven G. Spitzer, Vicky Sroczynski, Marsh (MMh), Michael A. Madsen, Matt McKim-Loudcr, Nick Wesley S. Serafin, Brian Ta ng, Craig A. Tay lor, Craig B. Thayer, Minor, Pete A. Moxon, Vince Moxon, Walter J. Marcisz, Roberl David L. Thomas, Gayle & William Te ltz (G&WT), Michael A. Morgan, Travis A. Mahan, Carrie Nixon, Greg Neisc, Joan Topp, Mary Anne Tho111as, Michael L. Trahan, Nancy Tikalsky, l. Norek, Jill N. Niland, Daniel Obrzut, Dan J. Olson, Peter Ol­ Rita To rrado, Bob Va iden, Jenny Vogt, Ann Whitney, Barbara C. son, Sa111 & Patty Oliveri (S&PO), Glenn Perricone, John Picken, Wil liams, Benjamin M. Winger, Charles A. Westcott, Christine John H. Purcell, Linda Padera, Phyllis Petrilli, Peter J. Page, Ste­ L. Williamson, David Wachtel, Dan Wy lie (DWe), Dan Wenny phen F. Pack, Ari Rice, Adam M. Reyburn, Gary Russell, Jessica (DWy), David E. Wi l lard, Daniel T. Williams, Eric W. Walters, Runner, Kevin B. Richmond, Laurance Recd, Melissa Ricketts, Geoffrey A. Williamson, Jason D. Wcckstein, Jeffery W. Walk, Mary Kay Rubey, Phil J. Reyburn, Rhonda S. Rothrock, Sarah Mark Webster, Matthew J. Winks, Tony Ward, Charles Yo ung. Roper, Tim Rye, W. Douglas Robinson, William M. Rudden,

Th e fo llowing abbreviations have been used throughout this report:

EA = earliest arrival(s) 1st /2nd / ... = first plumage cycle/ NP = Nature Preserve

MC = maximum count(s) second plumage cycle/... NWR = National WildlifeRefuge LD = latest departure(s) CA Conservation Area p =Park * = documented record Co(s) County (Counties) Pr = Prairie m.ob. = many observers CP County Park R = River n.cl. = no details Crk Creek Res = Reservoir :ph = photographed FP Forest Preserve SF State Forest spec(s) = specimen(s) FS Field Station SFWA State Fish and Wildlife Area ad(s) = adult(s) FWA Fish and Wildlife Area SHS State Historic Site alt = alternate I Island SI Slough imm(s) = immature(s) L Lake SNA State Natural Area juv(s) = juvenile(s) L&D Lock & Dam SP State Park

plum =plumage M = Marsh Wds Woods NC = Nature Center

Th e fo llowing abbreviations fo r place names have been used throughout this report:

Adams Wildlife Sanctuary = Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, Springfield(Sangamon Co) Arnn Bot = American Bottoms (Monroe County) DYNL Dick Young/Nelson Lake Forest Preserve (Kane Co) Aroma Park = Aroma Park (Kankakee Co) ECapcGir = Easl Cape Girardeau (Alexander Co) BakersL = Bakers Lake, Barrington (Cook Co) EForkL = East Fork Lake (Richland Co) Beall Wds = Beall Woods State Park (Wabash Co) Emiquon = The Nature Conservancy Emiquon Preserve Bcllrose Rsv = Frank Bellrosc Waterfowl Reserve (Pulaski Co) (Fulton Co) Bloomington = Bloomington (McLean Co) EPSTP = El Paso Sewage Treatment Plant, El Paso BraidwoodL = Braidwood (Will Co) (Woodford Co) BuseyWds = Busey Woods Park, Urbana (Champaign Co) ESTL = East St. Louis (St. Clair Co) Car!L = Carlyle Lake (Bond, Clinton, and FayeUe Cos) EwingP = Ewing Park, Bloomington (McLean Co) CMIL-B = Carlyle Lake (Bond Co) Fermi = Ferrnilab(DuPage Co) CarlL-C = Carlyle Lake (Clinton Co) FishHatchery = Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery (Mason Co) Car!L-F = Carlyle Lake (Fayette Co) Ft. Massac = Ft. Massac State Park (Massac Co) CBG = Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe (Cook Co) GLPSNA = Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area (Grundy Co) Champaign = Champaign (Champaign Co) GrantP = Grant Park, Chicago (Cook Co) Chau = Lake Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge GLNTC = Great Lakes Naval Training Center (Lake Co) (Mason Co) GreenR = Green River Conservation Arca (Lee Co) Chi = Chicago (Cook Co) Greene Va l = Greene Va lley Forest Preserve (DuPage Co) CIPS L = Central Illinois PLLblic Service Company Lake HennepinL = Hennepin-Hopper Lake Resloratio11 Area (Jasper Co) (Putnam Co) ClcarL = Clear Lake (Mason Co) Heron Pond = Heron Pond Nature Preserve (Johnson Co) ClinL = Clinton Lake (DeWitt Co) HL = Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison Co) COLSP = Chain-0'-Lakcs Stale Park (Lake Co) HLCA = Horseshoe Lake Conservation Arca CON WR = Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (Alexander Co) (Williamson Co) IBSP = Illinois Beach Stale Park (Lake Co)

Vo lume 21, Number 4 141 Abbreviations fo r place names, continued

JP = Jackson Park and vicinity, Chicago (Cook Co) Palos = Palos area (sw. Cook Co) � Kankakee = Kankakee (Kankakee Co) Paul Douglas = Paul Douglas Forest P1eserve (Cook Co)

KLMSNA = Kidd Lake Marsh State Nalllra l Area Peabody = Peabody River King Slate Fish and Wildlife (Monroe Co) Area (St. Clair Co)

Larue-Pine Hills = Larue-Pine Hills Research Natural Area PeacockM = marsh al Peacock Engineering Company (Union Co) warehouse, Bolingbrook (Will Co)

LaSalleL = LaSalle Lake State Fish & WildlifeAr ca Pecatonica = Pecatonica (Winnebago Co)

(LaSalle Co) Pembroke Twp = Pembroke Township (Kankakee Co)

LCal = Lake Calumet area (Cook Co) Pomona = Pomona (Jackson Co)

LcVasseurl' = Le Vasseur Park-Perry Farm, Kankakee PrRdg = Prairie Ridge Slate Natural Area (Jasper & (Kankakee Co) Marion Cos)

LincP = Lincoln Park, Chicago (Cook Co) PrR

LoslMound = Losl Mound National Wildlife Refuge PrRdg-M = Prairie Ridge Stale Natural Area (Marion Co)

(Jo Daviess and Carroll Cos) Quincy Bay = Quincy Bay, QLiincy (Adams Co) LRen = Lake Renwick (Will Co) Rckfd = Rockford (Winnebago Co) l LSbel = Lake Shelbyville (Moultrie Co) RendL = Rend Lake (Franklin and Jefferson Cos)

L&D 13 = Lock & Dam 13, Mississippi River RendL-F = Rend Lake (Franklin Co) (Whiteside Co) RendL-J Rend Lake (Jeffe rson Co)

MArb = Morton Arboretum (DuPage Co) RockCul Rock Cut State Park (Winnebago Co)

MBC = Mackinaw Bluffs Corridor (Woodford Co) RollinsSav Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve (Lake Co)

McGinnisSI = McGinnis Slough (Cook Co) Ryerson Ryerson Conservation Area (Lake Co)

MeadbrkPk = Meadowbrook Park, Urbana (Champaign Co) Sangchris = Sangchris Lake Slate Park (Sangamon

McrmetL = Menne( Lake Conservation Area (Massac Co) and Christian Cos)

Midewin = Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (Will Co) SantaFe = Santa Fe Bottoms (Clinton Co)

MidSav = Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve (Lake Co) ShabbonaL = Shabbona Lake Stale Park (DeKalb Co)

MissPalis = Mississippi Palisades Slate Park (Carroll Co) Shirland = Shirland (Winnebago Co)

MomenceSod = Momence sod farms(Kankakee Co) SNF = Shawnee National Forest (various Co)

Momence Wet = Momence Wetlands (Km1kakee Co) Spfld = Springfield (Sangamon Co)

Montrose = Montrose Point, Lincoln Park, Chicago SpringL = Spring Lake (Tazcwel 1 Co)

(Cook Co) StarvedRock = Starved Rock Slale Park (LaSalle Counly)

Mskoda = Mskoda Sands Preserve, St. Anne To wnship TOT = Trail ofTear·s State Forest (Union Co)

(Kankakee Co) UCCA = Union County Conservation Area (Union Co)

Nachusa = Nachusa Grasslands (Lee Co) Urbana = Urbana (Champaign Co)

NONO = NorthernOzark Natural Division, Mississippi Wauk = Waukegan (Lake Co)

River Blufflands(Monr oe Co) WhalonL = Whalon Lake Forest Preserve (Will Co)

Nol' = North Pond, Lincoln Park, Chicago (Cook Co) WhisperingWil lows = Whispering Willows Park, Bourbonnais

Oakwood Btms = Oakwood Bottoms (Jackson Co) (Kankakee Co)

O'Fallon WTP = O'Fallon Wastewater Treatment Plant WinthropH = Winthrop Harbor (Lake Co) (St. Clair Co)

2012 Spring Migration Field Notes BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK BRANT MermetL, 3 May (JSn:ph, GK:ph). [MermetL, 2-8 May]. Greater White-fronted Goose Cackling Goose EA: 19 Feb (95+), Sparland (Marshall Co) (EWW); 19 Feb (18), Ocoya EA: 12 Feb, se Illinois (CLH); 20 Feb, Aledo (Mercer Co) (BAB); 29 (Livingston Co) (EWW); 20 Feb, Aledo (Mercer Co) (BAB); 25 Feb (5), feb (4), WhispcringWillows (JBH). MC: 58, Kane, 3 Mar (DFS); 30, Wilmington (Will Co) (JBH); 29 Feb (33), JP (PRC). MC: 1367, ClinL, 9 HcnnepinL, 4 Mar (BC); 19, WhisperingWillows, 4 Mar (JBI-1); 13, Mar (MEF); 586, HL, 4 Mar (FRH); 450, L&D 13, 20 Feb (DTW); 171, Ridott (Stephenson Co), 11-13 Mar (DTW). LD: 5 May, EForkL (CUI); Ridott (Stephenson Co), 13 Mar (DTW); 160+, L&D 14 (Mississippi R, 22 Mar (2), e Grundy (JBH). Rock Island Co), JO Mar (EWW); 154, KLMSNA, 4 Mar (C&PD). LD: Canada Goose 25 May, Emiquon (KAM); 12 May, Thompson L (Fulton Co) (AAA); 5 EA: 17 Jan (IOOO+ flying wnw), Mundelein (Lake Co) (TA); 31 Jan May, L&D 20 (Mississippi R, Adams Co) (AMR, PJR); I May, JP (RLS); (13), Zion (Lake Co) (EWW); 29 Feb (23 migrants), JP (PRC). MC: 22 Apr, HL (FRH); 6 Apr (2, injured), CarlL-C (DMK). 948, JP, 19 Feb (PRC); 512, Ridott (Stephenson Co), 13 Mar (DTW); Snow Goose 500, HenncpinL, 4 Mar (BC); 300, WhisperingWillows , 29 Feb (JBH); MC: 800, CarlL-C, 8 Mar (DMK); 440, ClinL, 9 Mar (MEF); 438, 76, Chau, 2 Mar (RG&SNB). LD: 7 Mar (254), JP (PRC), "last elate for KLMSNA, 4 Mar (C&PD); 125, e. Grundy, 1 Mar (JBH); 9, JP, 14 discerned migrants at this location." Mar (PRC et al.). LD: 30 May (2, injured), CarlL-C (DMK); 27 May, Mute Swan Montrose (LGM); 19 May (5), w of Prairie City (McDonough Co) EA: 25 Feb (3), Wilmington (Will Co) (JBI-1). MC: 40, SpringL, 10 (LLH); 15 May, Sa11gamo11 (HOB); 12-13 May, L&D 21 (Mississippi R, May (MJW); 25, Emiquon, 22 May (KAM); 17, LCal, 27 Mar & 2 May Adams Co) (AMR, Pm.); 30 Apr, I-IL (FR H). (W.IM). LD: 13 May (migrating), Sibley Grasslands (Ford Co) (EWW). Ross's Goose Tru mpeter Swan MC: 32, ClinL, 9 Mar (MEF); 20, e. Grundy, l Mar (JBH); 20, CarlL-C, MC: 18, Ridott (Stephenson Co), 11 Mar (DTW); 7, Upper Mississippi LD: 10 Mar (DMK); 9, HL, 6 Mar (KAM). 30 Apr, I-IL (!'RH); 23 Apr NWR (Carroll Co), IO Mar (DWy). Others: Lincoln (Logan Co) (2), 9 (2), Bolingbrook (Will Co) (BT:ph); 16 Apr, CarlL-C (KAM); 7 Apr, Salt May (JWW). ForkR (Vermilion Co) (JSh); 27 Mar (2), LCal (WJM). 142 Meadowlark Tu ndrn Swan Northern Shoveler EA: 6 Feb (6), L&D 13 (DH); 19 Feb (14), EA: 26 Feb, Heron CP (Vcl'll1ilion Co) (l3S); Sparland (Marshall Co) (EWW); I 9 Feb 7 Mar (4), JP (PRC). MC: 2500, E!miquon, 18 (61 ), ClinL (GSL); l 9 Feb (45), Kennekuk Mar (JIE); 1600, CarLL- 8 M11r (DMl<.); l200, CP (Vel'ln ilion o) (SR). M : 153, L&D 13, CnrlL-F, 6 A11r (DMK); 846, Chau, 16 Mar 10 Mar (DWy); 61, see above; 45, see nbove; (RG&SNB); 500, L&D 13, 17 Mar (JAS ct al.). ·11, Sauer Fnmlfy Prn irie Kame FP (Knne .LD: 2 Jun (4), Nygren Wellancls (Winnebago o), 1 Mar (JJD); 17, Middle .Fork Rived'P Co) (DTW); 30 May, CarlL-F (DMK); 25 May (CharnpDickson Mounds (Putton Co) (KA�); 24 May (Q' & 'jl, o 1�maining into Jui1}, (LLH); 4 Mar, RockCut (DTW). MC: I 91, Pr.Rdg-M (CLl-l.); 2.0 May, CarlL- (DMK); 19 Chau, 13 Apr (RG&SNB); 137, AmnBot, 20 May, l

Vo lume 21, Number 4 143 European Goldfinch. Waukegan, Lake County. 1 April 2012. Photo by Mark Bowman.

Black-bellied Cerulean Warbler. Whistling-Duck. Rock Cut State Mermet Lake, Park, Winnebago Massac County. County. 3 May 2012. Photo by 19 May 2012. John Schwegman. Photo by Jackie Bowman.

Red-breasted Merganser. Diversey Harbor, Eared Grebe. Chicago, Fermi lab, Cook County. DuPage County. I March 2012. 28 April 2012. Photo by Photo by Steve Sp itzer. Jackie Bowman.

144 Meadowlark Summer Ta nager. Goreville, Johnson County. 19 May 2012. Photo by Karen Lund.

I

Canada Wa rbler. Montrose, Chicago, Cook County. 8 May 2012. Photo by Steve Spitzer.

American Avocets. White Oak Park, Bloomington, McLeanCounty. 28 April 2012. Photo by Benjamin Murphy.

I Green Heron with frog. Rock Cut State Park, J Winnebago County. 19 May 2012. Photo by Jackie Bowman.

Ruddy Tu rnstones. Montrose, Chicago, Cook County. 16 May 2012. Photo by Jackie Bowman.

Vo lume 21, Number 4 145 Surf Scoter Rudely Duck MC: 2, Montrose, 14 Apr EA: 25 Mar, Aledo (Mercer (GAW, CLW); 2, see below. Co) (BAB); 15 Apr (9), JP LO: 5 May (ad c3' ), Livingston (PRC). MC: 3996, Chau, (DB.I ct al.); 26-28 Apr I 6 Mar (RG&SNB); 1200, (2 y), Chau (KBR el al.); 22 CarlL-C, 11 Mar (DMK); 42, Apr, Monlrose (KI-I); 6 Apr, McGinnisSI, 5 May (WSS). McrmctL (KAM); 25 Mar (y), LO: 30 May, Lenzburg (St. Spfld (HOB). Clair Co) (TJ D); 25 May White-winged Scoter ( 12), Erniquon (KAM); 20 EA: 1 Mar, Saganashkee SI May, I-IL (PRH); 12 May, Greater Prairie-Chickens. Prairie Ridge Stale Na tural Area, (Cook Co) (WSS). MC: 3, ,IP, CarlL-C (DMK); 5 May, 26 Feb (PRC); 2, Winlh1·opl-I, Jasp er County. 30 Ma rch 2012. Aledo (Mercer Co) (BAB); 11 Mar (B.IS). LO: 13 Apr (y), Photo by Ja ckie Bowman. 5 May (5), BakersL (GAW, GLNTC (DRD); 11 Mar (2), CLW, JY). sec above; 11 Mar, Monlrose (G AW, Northern Bobwhite CLW, JIE). MC: 20, Hamilton, 5 May (CAT); Long-tailed Duck 11, Mskocla, 5 May (JBJ-1); J 0, PrRdg EA: 2 Feb (95), IBSP (EWW). MC: (CLJ-1, VMK, ct al.); 6, Jackson, 19 275, Winthropl-l, 18 Feb (IOS); 120+, May (VMK, CLI-1,el al .); 6,Jo hnson, IBSP, 4 Mar (EWW). LO: 27-3 1 Mar 28 Apr (SOB, CAT); 4, CarlL-C, J 2 (2), Spoon L (Knox Co) (MJB,DJM); May (DMK); 4, PrRdg-M, 30 May 28 Mar (y), Spfld (H DB); 11 Mar, (DMK); 3, CarJL-C, 22 Apr (DMK); Morris (G1·undy Co) (JAS, PAM); 10 3, McDonough, 5 May (LLI-1). Mar (9), EForkL (CLl-1). Remarks: "Numbers continue to Bufflehead decline (McDonough Co area); few calling males" (LLI-I). MC: 165, McGinnisSI, 20 Mar ... (WSS); 80, Carl L-C, 8, 10, & 25 Mar Ring-necked Pheasant MC: (DMK); 70, SpringL (Carroll Co), 17 8, Mskocla, 15 Mar (.IBH); 8, Mar (J AS ct al.); 24, Chau, 13 Apr MBC, 6 May (MEF); 6, DYNL, 17 Apr (JAS); 3, GLPSNA, 22 May (RG&SNB); 20, .I P, 18 Mar (PRC). Common Loon. Mo ntrose, Chicago, LO: 15 May, G1·antP (JIE, JDW); 15 (KAM). May, Eggc1·s Weis l'P (Chi) (DI'S); Cook County. 14 April 2012. Greater Prairie-Chicken 6 May (8 w/injured eye), Urbana Photo by Steve Sp itzer: MC: 23, PrRdg-J, 9 Mar (RES); (Weaver P) (GSL:ph el al.); 5 May 6, PrRdg-M, 24 Apr (JWW, ELK, (2), JP (RLS); I May (y), Sangamon (H DB); 22 DJO, WEL). Apr, CarlL-C (DM I(); 21 Apr, HL(FRII). Wild Turkey Common Golclcneye MC: 31, Me1'111elL, 19 Mar (KAM); 27, MC: 350, Skokie Lagoons (Cook Co), 3 Mar Pecatonica, 5 Mar (DTW); 16, CarlL-C, 9 (MD); 81, JP, 26 Feb (PRC); 51, Chau, 2 Mar Apr (DMK); 13, Rekfd, I Mar (DTW); 4, (RG&SN B). LO: 8 May (o'), Sangamon (I-IDB); LeVasscurP, 17 May (J Bl-1 ). 23 Apr, CarlL-F (Ci\T, MSS); 9 Apr, ArcolaM Common Loon (Douglas Co) (MM-L el al.); 28 Mar (2), JP EA: 4 Mar, 1-l L (FRH); 5 Mar, se. Illinois (PRC); 24 Mar, Montrose (JIE). (CLl-1); 11 Mar (ad), Spfld (HOB); 16 Mar (2), BARROW'S GOLDENEYE ClinL (MEF); 21 Mar (3), LZurich (Lake Co) LD: 6 Mar, Skokie Lagoons (Cook Co) (c3') (Al'S), (SOB); 24 Mar, RockCut (DTW, BCW); 30 Mar, continuing from winler season. WhalonL (CMA). MC: 64, Lake, 24 Mar (OBJ); Hooded Merganser 16, Antioch (Lake Co), 16 Mar (BJS). LO: 26 EA: 4 Mar, E1niquo11 (LLH); 12 Mar, Quincy May, ShabbonaL (DJS); 21 May (3), ErorkL, Bay (AGD). MC: 40, Palos, 4 Mar (.IAS); 27, one remaining into Jun (CLl-1); 12 May, Palos KLMSNA, 20 Apr (C&l'D); 25, Sagrn1ashkee (N LB, JDW, JB, NG); 7 May, Spfld (HOB); 6 SI (Cook Co), I Mar (WSS); 9, RockCul, 4 Mar May (3), EvergreenL (Woodford Co) (M EI'); 5 (DTW). LO: 4 Jun, Montrose (RDl-1); 26 May May, LVe nn ilion (Vermilion Co) (E.IC, JSh); 4 (2'�), Hancock (AMR, P.IR). May, MermctL (EWW). Common Merganser Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe. Mo ntrose, Chicago, MC: 670, LRen, 4 Mar (DPS); 600, Sagairnshkce EA: 8 Mar, I-IL (FRH); 8 Mar (2), CarlL-C SI (Cook Co), 1 Mar (WSS); 128, ClinL, 2 Mar Cook County. 14 April 2012. (DMK); 8 Mar (3), lBSP (EWW); I 0 Mnr, JP MC: (MEF); 80, ShabbonaL, 4 Mar (DJS). LO: 27 May Photo by Steve Sp itza (KMC). 1 18, CONWR, 3 Mar (WDR); 42, (c3'), Spfld (HOB); 6 May (3), Des Plaines CA PowderhornL FP (Cook Co), 3 Apr (DFS); 30, (Will Co) (JAS); 4 May Cn CIPS L (CLH); 27 Apr (3), l'ermi (BD); I 0 L&D 13, 17 Mar (JAS el al.); 24, MennetL, 6 Apr (KAM); 19, Chau, 27 Mar (2), CarlL-C (DMK). Ap1· (RG&SNB). LO: 8 May, Spfld(I -IDB);5 May, JP (PRC). Reel-breasted Merganser Horned Grebe

MC: 800, CarlL-C, 11 Mar (DMK); 350, Skokie Lagoons (Cook Co), EA: I 0 Feb (8), Randolph (MSS); 14 Feb, BraidwooclL (J BH); 19 Feb .- 13 Mar (MC); 250, Norlherlyl (Chi), 19 Mar (JDW); 141, Palos, 3 Mar (2), O'Fallon WT!' (D&MAM); 24 Feb (2), Bloomington (BM); 24 Feb MC: (CAT); 90, JP, 29 Feb (PRC); 55, I-IL, 8 Mar (FRI I); 38, ClinL, 2 Mar (3), Elgin (Kane Co) (SAC). 27, Ta ze1Fell, 25 Mar (MJW, TH); 20, (MEF). LO: 29 May (2), LCa l (CAM); 26 May (12), Rainbow P (Chi) ClinL, 9 Mar (M EF); 18, PistakecL (Lake Co), 18 Mar (DBJ); 10, Chau, (DFS); 22 May, CarlL-C (DMK); 20 May, Metropolis (Massac Co) 13 Apr (RG&SNB). LO: 26 May, LaSalleL (BC); 17-20 May (2), IBSP (CLH, VMK, el al.); 20 May, MendotaL (LaSalle Co) (JEJ-1); 20 May (EWW); 14 May, CarlL-C (KAM); 5-7 May, EForkL (CLI-1); 5 May, (6y), IBSP (EWW); 17 May (C\1), Sangamon (HDB). LVcrrn ilion (Verm ilion Co) (EJC, JSh); 2 May, JP (PRC); 2 May, LCal (WJM); 28 Apr (2), GlcndaleL (Pope Co) (GAW, CLW).

146 Meadowlark Red-necked Grebe (GAW, CLW, JV); 200, Alexanda, 25 Apr (KAM); 200, Jo hnson, 26 Apr EA: 3 Mar (2), Peabody (TJD). LD: 25 Mar, Wh iteside (DH). (KAM). LO: 2 Jun, JI' (JIE). Eared Grebe Snowy Egret EA: 8 Apr, Spfld (I-I DB); 21 Apr (all plum), CharleslonL (Coles Co) EA: 4 Apr, i'vladison (KAM); 8 Apr, HL (FRH). MC: 15, Jo hnson, 26 (RBy); 23 Apr - 3 May, Fermi (PK, ASA:ph, NG:ph, 111.ob.:ph). LD: 3 Apr (KAM); 8, 1-J L, 5 May (FRH); 5, Alexander, 25 Apr (KAM); 4, Jun,Del Monle Ponds, Mendota (LaSalle Co) (JEH); 6 May, GrantP (Chi) Cahokia Mounds Historic Sile (St. Clair Co), 27 May (DMK); 3, Forbes (DEW); 4 May (ad), Spftd (HOB); 30 Apr, JP (HC). SP (Marion Co), 16 May (CLl-1). LO : 27 May, Elgin (Kane Co) (EES); Western Grebe 26 May, Upper SpringL (Carroll Co) (EWW). LIJ: 5 May, Carl L-C (DMK). Little Blue Hernn NEOTROPIC CORMORANT EA: 22 Mar (ad), Spfld (HOB); 24 Mar (ad), LCal (MT); 30 Mar, SaugctM (St. Clair Co) (KAM); 30 Mar, Fairview Heiglhts (St. Clair l l-29 Apr (ad), Calumet P, Chi (AAA:ph); 5 May (ad), LCal (*WJM, Co) (TJD); 31 M ar, I-IL MC: 35, Alexanda, 25 Apr (KAM); 26, MLB, JIN) [IORC review pending]; (11 May, MerrnelL]. (FRI·!). St. Clair, I I Apr (KAM); JO, Cahokia Mounds Historic Site (St. Clair Double-crested Cormorant Co), 26-27 May (DMK); 3 (ads), LCal, 29-3 1 May (WJM). LO: 19 May, EA: 8 Mar (120), New Athens (SL. Clair Co) (TJD); 8 Mar (30), Quit1cy Glacial P (McHenry Co) (RAM ). Bay (AGO); JG Mar (4), ClinL (MEf'); 18 Mar (8), JP (PRC, KMC). Cattle Egret MC: 4000, Car!L-F, 6-15 Apr (DMK); 2350, Rainbow P (Chi), 26 May 2 Apr, New Athens (St. Clair Co) (TJD); 7 Apr, L!Zen (DFS); 13 (DFS); 1220, LRcn, 20 May (DFS); 600, CarlL-C, 22 Apr (DMK); 59 1, EA: Apr, HL(l"'RH); 17 Apr, Macomb (McDonough Co) (LLH); 17Apr, Oak JP, 18 Apr (PRC); 505, BakersL, 5 May (GAW, CLW, JV); 460+, IBSP, Lawn (Cook Co) (AAA:ph); 18 Apr (2), Sangamon (I-IDB). MC: 60, 21 Apr (EWW). Cahokia Mounds Historic Site (St. Clair Co), 26 May (DMK); 6, Pulaski, ANHINGA 28 Apr (KAM). LD: 4 May, Sangamon (HDB). EA: 21 Apr, Emiquon (TW, CD:ph). MC: 3 (2c)',

American Wh ite Pelicans. Channahon, Wi ll County. 1 April 2012. Photo by Don Blecha.

Vo lume 21, Number 4 147 \. t , Osprey Rough-legged Hawk EA: 17 Mar, CarlL-C (DMK); 22 Mar, Palos (WJM, LO: 9 May, Bushnell (McDonough Co) (LLH); r NT); 23 Mar (2), Joppa (Massac Co) (FK13); 24 10 Mar, e. Kankakee (JBH); 9 Mar (dark morph), Mar, River Bend FP (Champaign Co) (BSr); 26 Durand (Winnebago Co) (DTW); 7 Mar, MBC Mar, Sangchris (HOB); 30 Mar (2 ads), LCal (MEF); 4 Mar (dark morph), IBSP (EWW). (WJM). MC: 6, Palos, 7 Apr (WSS). LO: 28 May, Golden Eagle Saline (RES); 26 May, ShabbonaL (DJS); 21 May, ' LO: 6 Apr, Quincy (Adams Co) (AMR); 17 Mar BrnidwoodL (JBH). (i111111), UCCA (KAM). Mississippi Kite BLACK RAIL EA: I 5 Apr, HL (FRH); I May (ad), Mc Lean (RGH); LD: [22 May, l'rRdg-J] 3 May, Wh ite (RES); 4 May (3), Rckfd (LGB). MC: King Rail I 0, TOT, 19 May (ASA); 5, Thebes (Alexander EA: 29 Apr, Farina Wetlands (Fayette Co) (CAT). Co), 27 Apr (SDB, CAT). LO: 31 May, HL (FRH). MC: 2, Farina Wetlands (Fayette Co), I 0 May Others: Olney (Richland Co) (ad), 29 Apr (CLl-I); (CLJ-1). Others: PrRdg-J, I 0 May (RES); MidSav, Michael Wolff Wetlands, Little Black SI SNA (2), 11 May (MF); PrRclg-M, 15 May (CLH). 28 Apr (SOB, CAT). Virginia Rail Bald Eagle EA: 15 Mar, Mskoda (J13H); I6 Mar, MerrnetL EA: 18 Feb (3), Urbana (fide EJC); 6 Mar (3), (FK13);23 Mar, PrRdg-J (RES); I8 Apr, Sangchris Severson Dells FP (Winnebago Co) (DTW); 17 (l-1013);22 Apr, JP (PRC ct al.). MC: 3, PrRdg-M, Mar (imrn), Moraine Hills SP (McHenry Co) 30 Apr (CLH); 3, Deer Grnve East FP (Cook Co), (RAM, ALM). MC: 1 43, FrcntressL (Jo Daviess 22 Apr (GAW, CLW). LO: 17 May, PrRdg-J (RES); Co), 8 Mar (DWy); 34 (4 ad, 30 imrn), Chau, 16 '· 27-28 Apr, Cypress Crk NWR (Johnson Co) (SOB, Mar (RG&SNB); 16, Upper Mississippi R NWR ' u . CAT). (Calhoun Co), I 0 Mar (DWy); I 0, CarlL-F, 17 & Broad-winged Hawk. 25 Mar (DMK). LO: 27 May, HL (FRH); 23 May Sora Reed To wnship, Will County. (imm), RollinsSav (KAM); 19 May (ad), Glacial P EA: 1 9 Mar, se. Illinois (CLJ-1); 21 Mar, Rochelle (McHenry Co) (RAM). 21 April 2012. (Ogle Co) (DTW); 24 Mar, Sa11gamo11 (I-1013); 24 Mar, Winnebago (Winnebago Co) (DTW, BCW); NorthernHar rier Photo by Don Blecha. 25 Mar, Oakwood l3l111s (KAM); 28 li:A: 3 Mar, e. Kankakee (J13H); 3 Mar, Half Day l'P (Lake Co) (SOB, Mar (2), Montrose (RDH). MC: JO, SLD). MC: 10, HennepinL, 26 AJJr GLPSNA, 3 Mar (CAT); 9, Spring (DFS); 7, Amnl3ol, 5 May (C&PD): Bluff FP (Lake Go), 2 May (EWW); 4, MermetL, Apr (KAM); 4, 5, PrRdg-.1, 23 Apr (JWW, ELK, 26 LO: into Jun, DJO, WEL); 5, PrRdg-M, 24 Apr Msk-0da,5 May (JBH). PrRdg-M (CLFI); 22 May, PrRdg-J (JWW, ELK, DJO, WEL). LO: 12 (CLl-I); 14 May, Lenzburg (SL May, Palos (NLB, JDW, .18, NG); Cla.irCo) (TID); 13 May (2), l..incP 8 May, Iroquois (.113H); 5 May, (GAW, LW); 5 May, Mo111gome1J' McDonough (LLH). (RJ); 5 May, CarlL-C (DMK); 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk May (2), Running Lake, Wolf Lake EA: 8 Mar, Zion (Lake Co) (EWW); (Union Co) (SOB); 26-28 Apr (2), 14 Mar, Ra11dolph (KAM); 14 Mar, Cypress Crk NWR & GrnssySI JP (PRC); 17 Mar, CarlL-1' (DMK). Banded Whooping Cranes. Sauer Fa mily Praire (Johnson Co) (SOB, CAT). MC: 2J!, Spring BlufrFP(Uik e Co), Kame f1'ol'es t Preserve, Kane County. Common Gallinulc (EWW); (Cook 2 Mny 13, Evanston 23 April 2012. Photo by AndrewAl drich. EA: 26 Apr, MertnctL (KAM); 28 o), 2 May (MC); 2 M11y 5, LGal, Apr, Cypress Ct•k NWR (Johnson (W.I M); 4, JP, 2 May (PRC). LO: 13 May, Rckfd (DTW, 13CW); 5 May, Co) (SOB, CAT); 30 Apr, WhalonL (VS). MC: 2, Massac, 5 May e. Kankakee (J13H); 2 May, see above; 2 May, Monlrose (OKA); I May, (MM-L); 2, PaulDouglas, 5 May (SSt). Others: Wyoming (Slark Co), McL ean (RGH); 27 Apr, Fish Hatchery (RG&SNB). 5 May (JWW); s. Ford, IO May (TH); PrRdg-M, 15 May (CLH, RES); Cooper's Hawk HcnnepinL, 22 May (K/\M). EA: 8 Mar, GLNTC (EWW). 7, Spring Bluff FP (Lake Co), 2 May MC: American Coot (EWW); 6, Evanston (Cook Co), 2 May (MC); 3, LeVasscurP, 8 Apr E/\: 25 Feb, BraidwoodL (JBH); 4 Mar, Emiquon, new arrivals (LLH); (.IBH); 3, NoP, I Apr (NPBW); 3, JP, 5 May (J S et al.). I I Mar ( 19), JP, inftux of migrants (PRC). MC: 4093, Chau, 16 Mar Northern Goshawk (RG&SNB); 2000, CarlL-F, I Apr (DMK); 1500, Emiquon, 25 May LO: 3 Apr (i111m), Bloomington (APC). (K/\M); 1200, McrmeLL, 26 Apr (KAM); I 000, I-I L, 6 Mar (KAM), LO: .. Red-shouldered Hawk 9 May (3), JP (PRC); 5 May (3), Un ion (SDB); 28 Apr (2), Johnson EA: 15 Mar, Quincy 13ay (AGO). MC: 4, Oakwood Blins, 25 Mar (SOB, CAT). (KAM); 4, Johnson, 28 Apr (SOB, CAT); 4, Mcr111elL, 6 Apr (KAM); 3, Sandhill Crane Shirland, 16 Mar (DTW)_ EA: I7 Feb (17), LCal (WJM); 17 Feb (9), Busse Wds FP (Cook Co) Broad-winged Hawk (ABA); 17 Feb (42), Naperville (DuPage Co) (MAM); 23 Feb (200), EA: I Apr, Kankakee (J l3H); 6 Apr, Jackson (KAM); I l Apr (2 ads), Danville (Vertnilion Co) (BS). MC: 6200, Lake Villa (Lake Co), IO Spftd (I-IDB); 1 3 A pr (2), Marengo (McHenry Co) (KML). MC: 86, Mar (RB); 4336, Columbus P (Chi), I 0 Mar (AG); 845, LCal, I I Mar Knox, 24 Apr (MJB); 41, McLean, I May (RGH); 39, Bloomington, 26 (WJ M). LO: 9 May, LaSalle (BC); 8 May, Nachusa (JWW, CC); 27 Apr, Apr (RGI-I); 32, Spring BluffFP (Lake Co), 2 May (EWW); 24, Edwards , PrRdg-J (SAS); 23 Apr, Kankakee R SP (Kankakee Co) (JBH); 2I Apr, I4 Apr (RES); 13, Avon (Warren Co), I May (LLH); 12, Rckfd, 21 Apr JP (RLS); 19 Apr, Emiquon (KBR); 18 Apr, Sangamon (I-IDB). Others: (BCW). LO: 20 May (irnm),Spild (HOB). Nygren Wetlands (Winnebago Co) (4), 29 May (DTW); L&D 13, I 9 May Swainson's Hawk (EWW); HcnnepinL (3), 23 May (DTW, BCW); Fu/1011, 19 May (EWW); Middle Fork River FP (Champaign Co) (2), 22 Ma (13Ss). EA: 14 Apr, !vlcHemy (RAM, ALM). MC: 2, Kane, 29 Apr(RAM, ALM). y Red-tailed Hawk WHOOPING CRANE EA: IO Mar (2), Midcwin (CMA); 15 Mar (2), Edwards (RES); I 7 Mar MC: 36, Wo odford & McL ean, 4 Mar (MEF); 11, Spt•ing BluffFP (Lake 28-29 Co), 2 May (EWW); I 0, CarIL-C, I 0- 11 & I 7 Mar (DMK). (male #19-11), CarlL-F (DMK); Mar, Shirland (Winnebago Co)

148 Meadowlark (AS, MHK). MC: 6, MauoonL (Coles Co), Black-necked Stilt I 0 Mar (CAT). LO: 23 Apr (2), Sauer Family EA: 29 Mar (2), Emiquon (KBR); 31 Mar, Prairie Kame FP (Kane Co) (ASA:ph). Others: CarlL-F (DMK); 2 Apr, Abington Twp (Mercer Bailey Wetland (Richland/Wayne Cos) (2), Co) (BAB); 12 Apr, Lenzburg (St. Clair Co) spenl Lwo months here during winter, lasl seen (TJD); 18 Apr (4), Sangamon (HOB); 20 Apr, 2 Mar (CLH). All sightings above presumably Quincy Bay (AGO, AMR, P.IR). MC: 65, pertain to the reintroduced population. Erniquon, 22 Apr (KBR); 20, Carl L-r, 6 Apr Black-bellied Plover (DMK); 14, KLMSNA, 3 May (C&PD); 11,

EA: 6 May (2), CarlL-F (DMI(, KAM); 9 May • CarlL-B, 14 Apr (ICAM); 10, Chau, 11 May (3), Wh ire (CLI-1, RES); JO May, Montrose (RG&SNB). LD: 28 May (2), PeaeockM (JP); 11 May (2), WhispcringWillows (J B\-1); (BT, J/\S, m,ob.); 19 May (<;l), Sanga111011 13 May, LincP (GAW, CLW). MC: 31, Pratt's (I-IDB). Others: Crystal Lake (McHenry Co) Wayne Wds FP (DuPage Co), 30 Apr (SAC); 17, (<;l), 6-7 May (KM L:ph, SOB); IBSP(3), 5 CarlL-C, 14 May (KAM); 16, Wauk, 12 May May (.I SS, BJS); HenncpinL (2), 2 May (BC); .• (Fl.JS);8, Whispering Willows, 15 May (J BH); 6, ·· �! J Bloomington, I 0 May, (MJW); Urbana (U of CarlL-F, 21 May (DMK). LO: 6 Jun, GrccnR Black-bellied Plova Mo ntrose, I South Farms (2), 5-6 May (DWe, TD, EJC, (DH); 3 Jun, E111iquon (JJE); 29 May (2), Bailey Chicago, Cook County. 8 May 2012. JG); Humboldt (Coles Co) (3), 3 May (EWW); Farina Welland (Fayette Co) (3), 6 May (SOB); Wetland (Wayne Co) (CLI-1); 25 May, CarlL-r Photo by Dick Ya masaki. (DMK); 25 May (4), Emiquon (KAM). Bailey Welland (Wayne Co), 12 May (CU-I); American Golden-Plover Big MuddyR (Union Co) (2), 5 May (SOB). EA: 12 Mar (35+), PrRdg-M (CLI-1); 14 Mar (12), Oakwood Bt111s American Avocet (KAM); 14 Mar, Sangamon (I-IDB); 16 Mar (23), New Athens (SL Clair EA: 14 Apr, CarlL-B (KAM, MSS); 14/\pr (4), sec below; 2 J Apr, HL Co) (TJD); 24 Mar (80), CarlL-B (DMK); 10 Apr (4), MornenccSod (FRI-I). MC: 6, White OakL (McLean Co), 29 Apt· (Tl-I,MJW); 4, Spfld, (.IB H). MC: 5000- 1 0,000, rarina Wetland (Fayette Co), 2 Apr (CLI-l); 14 Apr (HOB); 3, ClinL, 30 Apr (M.J W); 2, Cha111paig11, 30 Apr (DWe). 5300, CarlL-F, 18 Apr (KAM); 5000, Wheeler (Jasper Co), 7 Apr (.IWW LO: 3 Jun, Emiquon (J I E, AAA el al.). Others: Chau, 5 May (RG&SNB). ct al.); 3500, Sidney Twp (Chatnpaign Co), 21 Apr (GSL); 1815, Newman Spotted Sandpiper (Douglas Co), 21 Apr (GSL); 1700, CarlL-C, 2 Apr (KAM); 980, New EA: 5 Mar, CarlL-C (MSS) - t'ecord early by 18 days; I Apr, Sangamon Athens (St. Clair Co), 23 Mar (TJD); 921, ClinL, \8 Apr (MEI'). LO: (HOB); \3 Apt', Four Lakes FP (Winnebago Co) (DTW); ISApr, JP (PRC, 16 Jun, Nygren Wetlands (Winnebago Co) EJG); 15 Apr, Rainbow P (Chi) (GAW, CLW, (DTW); 25 May (3), Emiquon (KAM); l 9 NG). MC: 46, Chau, 11 May (RG&SNB); May, Upper SpringL (Carroll Co) (EWW); 40, CarlL-C, 5 May (DMK); 22, LCal, 5 May 17 May ( 175), Ma rion (CLH); 14 May (2), (WJM, SBB); 13, Kankakee R SP (Kankakee WhisperingWillo ws (JBH). Co), 16 May (J Bl-1); 10, JP, 28 May (PRC). Semipalmatecl Plover Solitary Sandpiper EA: 9 Apr (3), Bcllrnse Rsv (KAM); 18 EA: 20 Mar, e. of Spfld (H OB); 25 Mar, Apr, CarlL-F (DMK); 19 Apr, se. Illinois Massac (KAM); 31 Mar, CarlL-C (DM K); 3 (CUI); 22 Apr, Sibllcy Grasslands (f'ord Co) Apr, GrecneVal (UWG); I O Apr, Pecatonica (EWW); 30 Apr (2), Sangamon (HOB); 11 (DTW). MC: 78, LCal, 5 May (WJM, MLB, MC: May (10), WhisperingWillows (JBH). SBB); 20, Champaign, I May (DWe); 19, 11111. 200, AndersonL (Fulton Co), 20 May (MJW, Cook, l May (JV); 15, Johnson, 28 Apr (SOB, TW, CD); 150, CarlsonL (Fu llon Co), 19 May CAT); 10, CarlL-C, 22 Apr (DMK). LO: 4 (KBR); 120, Car!L-F, 12-13 May (DMK); 60, Jun (2), Montrose (DKA); 19 May, near Van Spunky Bottoms (Brown Co), \6 May (TW, Piping Plova Mo ntrose, Chicago, Patten Weis FP (Lake Co) (EWW); 18 May, LO: CD); 50, Emiquon, 25 May (KAM). 21 Cook County. 15 April 2012. Spfld (I-IDB); 17 May, LeVasscurP (JBH); 12 Jun, Montrose (ROH); l 0 Jun, PcacockM Photo by Steve Sp itze1'. May, CarlL-C (OM K); 12 May, Heron Pond (JAS); 3 Jun (4), Emiquon (JIE); 3 Jun (2), (KAM); 12 May (3), MermetL (KAM). Spflc\ (I-IDB); 2 Jun, LCal (J IE, NM); I Jun PeacockM (AS/\); 30 May, Greater Ye llowlegs Car!L-F (DMK). EA: 7 Mar, se. Illinois (CL!-!); 9-1 1 Mar, Heron CP (Vermilion Co) Piping Plover (KBx, BS); I 0 Mar, CarlL-F (DMK); I 0 Mar, MermetL (KAM); I 5 Mar, EA: 14 Apr (without leg bands), Montrose (DO:ph, LR:ph, rn.ob.); 15 Sangchris (HOB); 15 Mar (2), GreeneVal (JAS); 18 Mar, I-I L (FRH). Apr (with leg bands), Montrose (SGS:ph); 28 Apr, BigL (Fulton Co) MC: 1200, Carl L-r, 6 & 9 Apr (DMK); 300, BigL (Fulton Co), 22 Apr LD: (KBR). 6 May, BigL (Fulton Co) (KBR). (KBR); 100, CarlL-B, 14 Apr (KAM). LO: 30 May (2), Lenzburg (St. Killdeer Clair Co) (TJ D); 26 May, Spunky Botlorns (Brown Co) (CD); 24 May, EA: I 7 reb, River Bend FP (Champaign Co) (EJC); 19 Feb (8), ClinL Kendall (ASA); l I May (9), ClinL (MEF); 10 May, Sangamon (HOB). (GSL); 27 Feb, LeVasseurP (JBH); 28 Feb (4), Avon (Warren Co) (LLH); Willet MC: 29 Feb (14), JP (PRC); I Mar, HL (FRH). 200, CarlL-C, 30 Mar EA: 15 Apr (2), Spfld (HOB); 18 Apr, ClinL (MEF:ph); 19 Apr, Faye/le (DMK); 60, CarlL-F, 18 May (DMK); 30, Chau, 16 Mar (RG&SNB); 30, (CLH); 20 Apr, Emiquon (KAM); 21 Apr, LaSalleL (BC). MC: 50+, LCal, 5 May (WJ M, MLB, SBB). EPSTP, 30 Apr (MJW, TH, MEF:ph); 44, Wauk, 30 Apr (ASI, AFS); 40+,

American Avocet. Kidd Lake Marsh, Mo nroe Coun(v. 23 April 2012. Photo by Jackie Bowman.

Vo lume 21, Number 4 149 Below: Ma rbled Godwits. Montrose, Chicago, Cook County. 14 April 2012. Photo by Nathan Goldberg.

I

Hu dsonian Godwits with one Black-necked Stilt. Ma rbled Godwit. Emiquon Preserve, Fulton County. Orangeville, Stephenson 18 April 2012. Photo by Ma tthew Wi nks. County. 21 May 2012. Photo by Anne Straigh t. l I

Sander!ings. Montrose, Chicago, Co ok County. 29 May, 2012. Photo by -1 Steve Sp itzer:

Heron CP (Vern1ilio11 Co), 7 May (JR); 21, CarlL-C, 29 Apr (DMK); 11, ClinL, 30 Apr (MJW). LO: 4 Jun, Kane (ASA); 2 Jun, LaSallcL (BC:ph); 13 May, Montrose (GAW, CLW); 5 May, CarlL-F (KAM). Lesser Yellowlcgs EA: 9 Mar, se. Illinois (C LH); 1 0 Mar (2), Ed1 1•ard1· (RES); 10 Mar (2), Wh ite-rumped Sandpiper. Mo ntrose, Ma ssac (KAM); 10 Mar (4), Pulaski (KAM); 14 Mar, Sangamon (HOB); Chicago, Cook County. 4 June 2012. 16 Mar, Quincy Bay (AGD); 21 Mar (2), Rochelle (Ogle Co) (DTW). Photo by Ste ve Sp itzer MC: 6000, Car\L-F, 6 & 8 Apr (DMK); 3000, Cal'I L-B, 14 Ap1' (KAM); 1500, BigL (FuI Lon Co), 22 Apr (KBR); 363, ClcarL, 27 Apr (RG&SNB); Ruddy Turnstone 129, LCal, 5 May (WJM, SBB); 108, ClinL, 4 May (MEF). LO: 3 Jun, EA: 6 May, see below; 13 May, Montrose (GAW, CLW); 18 May, Aflon FP (DeKalb Co) (TB); 1 J un (2), Fayellevillc Twp (SL Clair Co) SlarvcclRock (EWW); 20 May, CarlL-F (KAM). MC: 22, CarlL-F, 30 (TJ D); 30 May, CarlL-F (DMK); 30 May (2), Sangamon (HDB); 25 May May (DMK); 8, Wauk, 6 May (BJS); 3, Spunky Bottoms (Brown Co), 20 (2), Emiquon (KAM); 3 May, I-IL (FRH). May (CD). LO: 4 Jun (2), Emiquon (KBR, CD); 3 Jun, HennepinL (JIE, Upland Sandpiper AAA); I Jnn, GLNTC (ORD); I .Jun (2), Chau (RG&SNG). EA: 2 Apr, PrRdg (KAM); 21 Apr, Stark/Peoria (DJM); 5 May (2), Sanderling New Philadelphia (McDonough Co) (LLH); 5 May, Manhattan (Will EA: 4 May (4), CarlL-F (KAM). MC: 9, Montrose, 22 Muy (MD). LD: Co) (CMA). MC: 6, Lexington (McLean Co), 18 May (DTW, BCW); 6 Jun (5), Monlrnsc (MD, SGS); 4 Jun, Emiquon (KBR); 2 Jun (9), 4, Monticello Rd f'S (Champaign Co), 6 May (SOB); 4, PrRclg-J, 17 WinthropJ-1 (NT); 21 May, CarJL-f'(DMK). Apr (CL!·!). Others: McL ean, 1 1 May (LA, BM:ph); Grundy, 1 6 May (DB:ph); Ma rion, 17 May (CUI); PrRdg-M, 17 May (CLH). Whimllrel RA: 16 Apr (3), MennetL (FKB); 17 Apr, Emiquon (KBR). MC: J.2, Spunky Bottoms (Brown Co), 26 May (TW). LO: 3 Jun (3), Spfld (HDB). I sl Jun record & MC ever for Sangamon County. Others: Emiquon(2), 25 May (KBR, KAM). Hudsonian Godwit EA: 15 Apr, CarlL-F (DMK); 15 Apr, Emiquon (KBR); 18 Apr, Kaskaskia R Sf'WA (Moultrie Co) (TDF). MC: 14 & IO, Erniquon, 21 & l 8 Apr (TW, CD & KBR, MJW:ph resp); 4, KLMSNA, 20 Apr (C&PD). LO: 4-6 Jun, Erniquon (KBR); 26 May, Stephenson (DBJ, RE); 13-23 May, CarlsonL (Fulton Co) (KBR); 22 May, AnclersonL (Fullon Co) (KAM); 6 May, Grundy (JAS, REF, KDF). Others: LShel, 17-2 1 Apr (TDF, RBy, TAM). Marbled Godwit EA: 14 Apr, see below; 18 Apr, Emiquon (KFIR); 19 Apr, EPSTP (Tl-I). MC: 24, Montrose, 14 Apr (NG:ph). Second highest count ever for Illinois behind the 25 birds seen in Clinton Co on 22 Apr, 1989; 6, Carll-Fl, 14Apr (KAM); 4, Wauk, 30 Apr (ASI, .I RRS:ph). LO: 28 May, Up land Sandpipa Grundy County. GrnssL(Lake Co) (13.IS). 16 May 2012. Photo by Don Blecha.

150 Meadowlark Semipalmated Sandpiper Jun, Monlrose (SBB); 29 May, Sangamon (I-IDB); EA: 28 Apr (4), Ware (Union Co) (KAM, DMK); 25 May (40), Car!L-F (DMK). Others: Sibley 6 May, sc. Illinois (CLll); 11 May (8), RendL-J Grasslands (Ford Co) (10), 3 May (EWW). (TJD); 14 May (4), Nygren Welland (Winnebago Stilt Sandpiper Co) (DTW, BCW); 15 May, WbispcringWillows l':A: 16 Apr (3), CarlL-F (1<.AM), 22 Ap1· (6), (JBII). MC: 700, AndersonL (Fulton Co), 22 May Car!L-F (DMK); 30 Apr, PrRdg-M (CLH); 5 May, (KAM); 250, Emiquon, 25 May (KAM); 120, LCal (WJM, MLB, SBB, JIN). MC: 20, CarlL-F, Cal"lL-F, 21 May (DM I(); 70, So11go111011, 29 May 4 May (KAM); 15, E111iquon, 25 May (KAM); 8, (I-IDB). LD: 14 Jun, GLNTC (ORD); 13 Ju11 (13), Chau, 27 Apr (RG&SNB). LD: 3 Jun, Crniquon Chau (RG&SNG); 13 Jun, Kane (DL); 12 Jun (2), (J IE, AAA). Monlrose (SGS:ph); 3 Jun (4), Spftd (HOB); 3 Jun Buff-breasted Sandpiper (3), Fayetleville Twp (St. Clair Co) (TJD). LD: 24 May, Monlrose (ROH, JlE, SGS:ph, 111.ob.). Western Sandpiper 9th spring record. EA: MC: I May, ClinL (MJW:ph). 4, Mo nroe, 5 RUFF May (C&PD); 3, Spftd, 15 May (HOB). LD: 16 Dunlin. Mo ntrose, Chicago, EA: [18 Apr, Cm·l L-F] May, Spftd (I-IDB). Cook County. 29 May 2012. Short-billed Dowitcher Least Sandpiper EA: 13 Apr, Emiquon (KBR); 29 Apr, Car!L-F EA: Photo by Steve Sp itze1'. 25 Mar (7), Bellrose Rsv (KAM); 25 Mar (6), (DMK); 30 Apr, PrRdg-M (CLI-I); 5 May ECapeGir (KAM); 14 Apr, Sangchris (HOB); 15 (2), Mc Donough (LLI-1); 9 May ( 4), Ridott Apr (8), Kankakee R SP (Kankakee Co) (J Bl-1). (Slephenson) (DTW). MC: 90, CarlL-F, 4 May MC: 200, AnclersonL (Fullon Co), 22 May (KAM); 66, Crystal Lake (McHenry Co), 12 (KAM); 115, LCal, 5 May (WJM, MLB, SBB); May (DJS); 22, Wauk, 9 May (JSS, BJS). LO: l 00, Car!L-F, 20 May (KAM); 7 l, Sangamon, 26 May, PrRdg-M (CLH); 25 May (3), CarlL-F 4 May (HOB); 40, Cryslal Lake (McHenry), 12 (DMK); 25 May (2), Erniquon (KAM); 24 May, LD: May (DJS). 14 Jun, GLNTC (ORD); 7 Jun, Montrose (KAM). LaSalle (BC); 2 Jun (3), WinthropH (NT); 2 Jun, Long-billed Dowitchcr WhisperingWillows (JBH); 2 Jun, Rochester EA: 19 Mar (5), Bellrose Rsv (KAM); 5 Apr sewage panel (Sanga111on Co) (HOB); 1 Jun, (6), CarlL-F (DMK). MC: 400, CarlL-F, 29 Apr PcacockM (ASA); l Jun, Chau ((RG&SNG)); (DMK); 70, ClinL, 1 May (MJW); 45, Erniquon, 30 May (8), Lenzburg (Sl. Clair Co) (TJD). 21 Apr (TW, CD); 37, Lenzburg (St. Clair Co), White-rumped Sandpiper 29 Apr (TJ D); 30, Bell rose Rsv, 28 Apr (KAM); EA: 28 Apr, Sangamon (I-IDB); 29 Apr (2), 29, Sangamon, 29 Apr (HOB); 24, PeacockM, MC: CarlL-F (DMK). 45, Spunky Bollorns 30 Apr (JAS); 22, GreeneVa l, 30 Apr (MAM, (Brown Co), 16 May (TW, CD); 27, Lenzburg JAS). LD: 9 May, Ridott (Stephenson Co) (St. Clair Co), l Jun (TJD); 20, AndersonL (DTW); 7 May, Sangamon (HOB); 5 May (6), (Fulton Co), 22 May (KAM); 20, CarlL-F, 25 CarlL-F (KAM); 4 May, n. of Aledo (Mercer May (DMK); 20, Emiquon, 25 May (KAM); 10- Co) (BAB); 3 May (8), PrRdg-M (CLI-I). 20, PrRdg-M, into Jun (CLH); 12, PeacockM, 28 Buff-breasted Sandpipa Mo ntrose, Wilson's Snipe May (JAS). LD: 25 Jun, Emiquon (AG); 23 Jun EA: 28 Feb, se. Illinois (CLH); 2 Mar (2), (3), Spunky Bolloms Pr (Brown Co) (JJE); 17 Chicago, Cook County. 24 May 2012. Sangchris (I-IDB); 4 Mar (5), Lenzburg (St. Jun, Spftd (I-IDB); 13 Jun (14), DYNL (ASA); Photo by Steve Sp itze1: Clair Co) (TJ D); 8 Mar (4), Pembroke Tw p 11 Jun (2), PeacockM (ASA); 8 Jun, Montrose (JBH); 13 Mar, NoP (JIN). MC: 79, KLMSNA, (MC, SGS:ph). 11 Mar (C&PD); 67, s. Cook, 10 Apr (WJM, JD); 45, Killdeer We llancls Baird's Sandpiper (Cook Co), 3 Apr (WSS); 44, UCCA, 14 Mar (KAM); 30, Winnebago EA: MC: 25 Mar, Sangamon (HOB); 29 Mar, Emiquon (KBR). 2, (Winnebago Co), 13 Apr (DTW). LD: 6 May, MBC (MEF); 5 May (3), LD: PrRdg-M, 16 May (CLH). 25 May (3), Nygren Wetlands (Winnebago Deer Grove East FP (Cook Co) (GAW, CLW, JV); 28 Apr (5), GrassySl Co) (DTW). Preserve (Johnson Co) (SDB, CAT); 28 Pectoral Sandpiper Apr, EasterSl (Pulaski Co) (SDB, CAT);

EA: 6 Mar (12), PrRdg-J (CLH); 8 Mar, 24 Apr (2), Lenzburg (St. Clair Co) (TJD). CarlL-B (DMK); l l Mar, Sangchris American Woodcock (I-IDB); 11 Mar, e. Stephenson (DTW); EA: 20 Jan, se. Illinois (CLH); 1 Feb (3), 19 Mar (3), WhisperingWillows (JBI-I); Edwards (RES); 20 Feb, McadbrkPk (PLr); 27 Mar (21), LCal (WJM). MC: 30,000, I 7 Mar, JP (PRC). MC: 45 (displaying birds CarlL-F, 6 Apr (DMK); 3000, Jasper, 7 Apr @ 7 locations), se. Lake, 21-24 Mar (SDB, (JWW ct al.); l 500, BigL (Fulton Co), 22 SLD); 35, GreencVal, 13 Mar (JAS); 12, Apr (KBR); 853, ClinL, 16 Apr (MEF). Peabody, 11 Apr (TJD); 8, Urbana, 14 Mar LD: 5 Jun (2), CarsonSl (Kane Co) (SFd); (RDs); 7, SlarvedRock, 7 Mar (SOB); 7, 3 Jun (4), Erniquon (J IE, AAA); 2 Jun, MBC, 8 Mm· (MEF); 7, ShabbonaL, 9 Mar Nygren Wellands (Winnebago Co) (DTW); (EWW). LD: 29 May, LincP (JJE, MD); 2 25 May (4), CarlL-F (DMK); 25 May (9), May, JP (PRC). Sangamon (HOB). Long-billed Dowticha El Paso Sewage Wilson's Phalarope Purple Sandpiper Lagoons, Wo odfo rd County. 30 April 2012. EA: 19 Mar, Bellrose Rsv (KAM); I 0 LD: 31 Mar, Wauk (PWS, AFS, RE, RDII). Photo by Ma tt Fraka Apr, Farina Wetland (Fayette Co) (CLI-1); Dun I in 27 Apr (d'), Sangamon ( I-I DB); 30 Apr EA: 20 Mar, Mc ll'ion (CLl-I); 26 Mar (2), - 1 May, PeacockM (JIN, CAT, CMA); 5 May, Clinton (KAM). MC: Sa11gamo11 (HOB); 31 Mar (1 1), Bell rose Rsv (KAM); 11 Apr(5), Quincy 2, PeacockM, 30 Apr (JAS); 2, Sibley Grasslands (Ford Co), 13 May Bay (AGO); 14 Apr, Montrose (AFS). MC: 1200, CarlL-F, 29 Apr (EWW). LD: 3 Jun (cl'), Montrose (JP:ph); 3 Jun, Emiquo11 (JJE, AAA (DMK); 300, AndersonL (Fulton Co), 22 May (KAM); 300, E111iquon, ct al.); I Jun, Lenzburg (St. Clair Co) (TJD); I Jun, PcacockM (ASA). 20 May (MJW, TW, CD); 200, BigL (Full011 Co), 22 Apr (KBR); 126, Reel-necked Phalarope Spunky Bolloms (Brown Co), 19 May (KBR). LO: 5 Jun, PeacockM EA: 18 May, Cal"IL-F (DMK). LO: 4 Jun (2), Emiquon (KBR). (ASA); 3 Jun (8), Emiquon (JIE, AAA ct al.); inlo Jun, Ma rion (CLI-1); I

Vo lume 21, Number 4 151 Bonaparte's Gull 30 Apr (MAM). LD: 16 Jun, IBSP EA: 2 Mar (I 0), ClinL (M EP); (EWW); 12 May (3), Car!L-F 1 8 Mar, HL (FRH); 18 Mar (8), (DMK). McGinnisSJ (CDI-I); 21 Mar, Black Tern MC: Whisperit1gWillows (JBH). EA: 12 May (4), CarlL-F (DMK); 8 4000, CarlL-C, Mar (DMK); 4000, 12 May (2), Palos (NLB, JDW, JB, 288, CarlL-F, 6 Apr (DMK); ClinL, NG); 13 May, Spftd (!IDB); I 9 May I 6 Mar· (MEF); 68, FishI-Iatchery, (2), Glacial P (McHenry Co) (RAM). LD: 23 16 Mar (RG&SNB). May, MC: 30, near L&O 1 3, 2 Apr (AS); GLNTC (ORD); 13 May, Crn·IL-C 4, see above; 3, Emiquon, 22 May (DMK); 13 May, BraiclwooclL (KAM). LD: 2 Jun, LaSalleL (BC); (JBJ-1); 12 May, HL (FRH); 1 I May 31 May (3), East LoonL (Lake Co) 9 (lsl cycle), Montrose (MC); May (BJS) (nesling birds?); 29 May, CJ PS (1st cycle), Wauk (JSS, BJS). L (CLH); 28 May, Spilcl (HOB); 24 LITTLE GULL May (ad), LCal (WJM). Remarks: EA: 28 Mar (imm), Spfld(HOB ); 14 "Only one seen Lhis spring" (CLI-1). Apr (acl), ClinL (GSL:ph, MEF:ph, Ye llow-billed Cuckoo inside garage. Common Tern IOS:ph,video). Geneva, Kane County. 25 May 2012. EA: 13 May (2 ad), Spftd (I-IDB); MC: Laughing Gull Photo by Ja ckie Bowman. 18 May (3), RendL-J (CLI-1). U:A:2 5 Mar (ad), CarlL-F (DMK); 19, GLNTC, 2 May (ORD); 15, 16 Apr (ad), Jacksonville (Morgan Co) (CD). MC: 2 (2nd cycle, ad), HenncpinL, 22 May (KAM); 12, Wauk, 9 May (BJS, JSS). LD: 3 Jun, Carl L-C, 29 May (DMK). Others: 20 Apr (ad), ClinL (MEF:ph); 1 & 17 EForkL (CLH); 2 Jun, Winthropl-1 (NT). May (ad), Sangamon (HOB); 5 May, JP (RLS); 6 May, Coles (CAT); 9 Forster's Te rn May (imm), Sangamon (HOB); 13 May (ad), CarlL-C (DMK); 26 May EA: 24 Mar, Ma dison (WMR); 25 Mar (6), CarlL-F (DMK); 30 Mar (3), (Isl cycle), Grassl (Lake Co) (BJS, JSS). Hybrid: Laughing Gull X Joppa (Massac Co) (FKB); 30 Mar, sc. Illinois (CLH); 2 Apr, Sangchris Ring-billed Gull: Calumel P, Chi (ad), 4 Mar - 14 Apr seen mounted by a (I-IDB); 2 Apr, L&D 13 (AS); 14 Apr (2), Independence Grove FP Ring-billed Gull (AAA:ph). (Lake Co) (JSS). MC: 200, CarlL-C, I 5 Apr (OMK); 21, ClinL, 4 May Franklin's Gull (MEF); 20, Carl L-F, 12 May (DMK); 15, Sangamon, 2 May (HOB); l 5, EA: 5 Apr (ad), CarlL-C (DMK); 12 Apr (ad), Spfld (HOB); 15 Apr E111 iquon, 25 May (KAM). LD: 7 Jun, Kankakee (JBH); 1-7 Jun (2), (2), Ridott (Stephenson Co) (DTW); 16 Apr, CarlL-B (KAM). MC: 5, Spftd (HOB); 3 Jun (4), CarlL-C (DMK); 27 May, I-IL(FRI-I); 24 May

Sangamon, 15 May (HOB); 4, AndcrsonL (Fulton Co), 20 May (MJW, (1st spring), LCal (WJM). I . TW, CD). LD: 26 & 1 8 May (acl), LaSalleL (BC & AAA resp); 29 Apr Rock Pigeon (2), (ad), CarlL-C (DMK); 24 Apr RendL-J (T.TD). Others: MermelL MC: 200, ESTL, 26 May (DM K); 135, Chi, 5 Mar (DFS). (subad), 4 May (EWW). Eurasian Collared-Dove Ring-billed Gull MC: 6, CarlL-C, 8 Mar (DMK); 6, Mo nroe, 14 Mar (KAM), 5, Farina MC: 17-18 10,000, CarlL-C, Mar (DMK); 3500, Navy Pier (Chi), 14 (l'ayette Co), 29 Apr (SOB); 5, Randolph, 25 Mar (KAM). 9 May (DFS); 2175, ClinL, Mar (MEF); 1768, HL, 4 Mar (FRl-1); 1050, Others: Wair Lake (Union Co) (3), 5 May (SOB); Seward (Stephenson 28 1F. Wa shi11g1011, JO Mar (TJD); 639, JP, May (PRC). Co) (2), 3 Mar (DTW, LGB); Capron (Boone Co) (2), 19 May (EWW); Herring Gull Annawan (Henry Co) (2), I 0 Mar (EWW); Granville (Pulnam Co) (2), 23 MC: 84, RockCul, 2 Mar (OTW); 73, Skokie Lagoons (Cook Co), 4 Mar May (DTW, BCW); Lawler (Gallatin Co) (2), 12 May (EWW); German LD: (CAT); 30, CarlL-C, l l Mar (DMK); 25, JP, 19 Feb (PRC). 15 May Valley (Stephenson Co), 3 Mar (DTW, LGB); Urbana (Cryslal Lake P), I· (2 imm), Spftd (I-IDB);22 Apr, CarlL-C (DMK). I 0 May (GSL). Thayer's Gull WHITE-WINGED DOVE ' MC: 2 (ad), Lincl', 3: �ROH). LD: 4 Mar, LRen (DFS); 4 Mai", Linc!' EA: 1-17 Apr & 6 May, Montrose (RC:ph & *GAW, CLW resp) [IORC (JlN); 4 Mar, Palos (J l\S). review pending]. LD: 25 May, Grant!'(Chi) (*OBJ, CL, SI-I,JIN) [IORC Iceland Gull review pending]. LD: 29 Apr (ad), WinlhropH (RDII); 29 Apr (I st), Lake (RDl-I); 14 Apr Mourning Dove (Isl), Montrose (GAW, CLW). MC: 111, Mo nroe, 5 May (C&PD); 57, Un ion, 5 May (SOB); 31, Lesser Black-backed Gull Randolph, 25 Mar (KAM); 29, JP, 15 Apr (PRC); 29, Clinton, 5 May LD: 2 May, GLNTC (ORD); 29 Apr, EPSTP (TH, MEF); 29 Apr (ad), (KAM); 26, WhisperingWillows, 4 Mar (J BH). WinthropH (ROH); 21 Apr (2nd), IBSP (EWW). Glaucous Gull LD: 5 May (irnrn), TBSP (AFS et al.); 30 Apr (1st), Wauk (BJS). •1 Great Black-backed Gull LD: l May ( l st) & 29 Apr (2nd), Wauk (EWW & RDI-1 resp); 31 Mar (ad), Winthropl-I (RDI-1). Least Tern EA: 18 May, sc. Illinois (CLI-1); 20 May (2), Alexander (KAM). MC: 4, Smithland Dam (Pope Co), 19 May (CLH, VMK, et al.). LD: 3 Jun (ad), Spftd (HOB); 25 May (ad), Spunky Bottoms (Brown Co) (KBR). Caspian Tern I_ EA: 20 Mar (2), JP (PRC), reconl early for this location; 24 Mar, CarlL-C (DMK); 27 Mar, NoP (JIN); 5 Apr, se. Illinois (CLH); 5 Apr (2), Sangamon Little Gull, right fi'ontswi mming in water, (HOB). MC: 72, JP, 5 May (RLS et al.); 60, Montrose, 2 May (OKA); 37, e. Gr1111c(J1, 9 & I 3 May (J BI-I);27, IBSP, 20 Apr (EWW); 20, PcacockM, with Bonaparte 's Gulls. Clinton Lake, DeWitt County. 14 April 2012. Photo by Ma tt Fraker:

152 Meadowlark Yel low-billed Cuckoo O'Hare Airport (Chi) (SFd); 11 Mar, Kendall (JAS ct